‘Equity Always First’ Session 1

Connecting your DE&I Strategy to Recruitment and Talent’Equity Always First’ Session 1

Introduction & Purpose

As part of our ongoing commitment to driving meaningful conversations in the HR and Talent Acquisition space, Coby Philips is proud to present the first session in our new Micro Learning Series, delivered in partnership with Diversity in Recruitment.
This session, led by DE&I specialist Jo Major, explores how organisations can meaningfully connect their Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) strategies to recruitment and talent attraction efforts.

Overview of Discussion

Jo introduces her Equity First Hiring Process, guiding attendees through the foundational work required before hiring from underrepresented groups.
The session challenges the traditional approach of hiring for diversity without first addressing equity, accessibility, and organisational readiness.
We explore how inclusive benefits, strong internal policies, and leadership alignment create an environment where DE&I can truly thrive, not just in recruitment, but across the employee experience.

Q&A Highlights

The audience shared thoughtful reflections on the challenges of DE&I implementation, including:
The importance of psychological safety and infrastructure before increasing representation.
Concerns around tokenism and how to avoid it.
How to communicate DE&I priorities authentically within the organisation.
Jo provided practical insights on positive action, internal engagement, and what genuine commitment from leadership really looks like.

Key Takeaways

Equity comes first: Without the right structures in place, DE&I initiatives risk being superficial or ineffective.
DE&I must be human-first: It’s not just about ticking boxes it’s about building cultures where everyone can thrive.
Authentic communication matters: DE&I efforts need to be understood and supported across all levels of the organisation.
Organisational change takes time: Inclusive recruitment is a long-term journey that requires resourcing, leadership buy-in, and a clear plan.
Attendees left with access to Jo’s exclusive resource hub to continue their learning beyond the session.

Conclusion

This session marks the beginning of a powerful three-part learning experience hosted by Coby Philips Community in partnership with Equity Always First.
We’re thrilled to have welcomed Jo Major to kick off the series, and we look forward to sharing more actionable insights in the sessions to come.
To stay informed and be the first to register for future sessions, join our community today.