Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI)
We’re committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace where colleagues are happy and confident to be themselves and know they will always be warmly welcomed.
Creating a lasting culture of equity, diversity and inclusion is about building collective knowledge and confidence, measuring diversity , inspiring leadership and ensuring our processes and policies are fair and impartial.
Inclusion at Asda
To support us on our inclusive and diverse workplace journey we have a range of initiatives and projects on the go…
- Colleague NetworksSponsored by senior leader ambassadors, our networks work to drive inclusive behaviour and create positive change across every area of the business. They include: Accessibility, Ethnicity, LGBTQ+, Wellbeing and Women in Asda. Alongside our networks, we run regular campaigns events to educate, raise awareness, and dispel negative stereotypes and misconceptions around marginalised communities.
- Women in LeadershipWhile progress is being made, we know there is more to do and remain committed to supporting more female colleagues to progress into senior roles. In 2024, we continued our Intentional Allyship programme, designed to inspire and equip future leaders from underrepresented groups. The programme supports female colleagues and colleagues from ethnically diverse backgrounds through tailored learning, mentoring, sponsorship and reverse mentoring opportunities. We have a target to increase the proportion of female store managers to 40% by 2030 and report progress annually through our ESG Report, helping to build a strong and diverse pipeline of future leaders.
- Menopause Friendly Committed WorkplaceWe recognise the significant impact menopause can have on lives and are committed to creating a supportive and accommodating environment for colleagues impacted by menopause. Our Menopause Policy raises awareness and provides support for our colleagues and their families by outlining resources and adjustments. All Line Managers have access to training on menopause at work, which we run in collaboration with our partners Henpicked. As part of our Gender Pay Gap reporting, we share regular updates on our progress and activity in this area.
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
It’s important that we focus on community strength and solidarity throughout the year. In 2026, we have continued to support community-led Pride parades and saw colleagues from stores across the country celebrating at these parades showing that Asda is proud to support Pride. We encourage all colleagues to be active allies to the LGBTQ+ community and promote year-round understanding and celebration through our LGBTQ+ Inclusion Network.
Over the last six years we have donated close to half a million pounds directly to the LGBTQ+ charity Diversity Role Models. This donation supports Diversity Role Models with the work they do in educating children within schools on LGBTQ+ topics, and to stop bullying through education.
Gender Pay Report
Measuring the gap. Asda’s Gender Pay Report 2025 provides our data across our retail and logistic sectors and demonstrates a year-on-year reduction in its mean pay gap.
Beyond the Uniform: Helping the Armed Forces rediscover their everything
Colleagues from the Armed Forces community bring a wealth of valuable skills, experience and leadership that make a real difference across our business. We’re proud to stand behind those who serve or have served, and that’s why we’ve been part of the Armed Forces Covenant since 2014. Our Silver status shows our dedication to supporting military personnel after service. It’s about guaranteeing interviews for people who have left service, who meet the minimum criteria for a role, as well as providing paid leave for reservists’ training, support for cadet training, and supporting employment opportunities for their partners.
In 2026, we made enhancements to a number of policies to give colleagues greater flexibility to balance military commitments with their roles at Asda. In fact, we hire more than one thousand new colleagues from the Armed Forces Service Leaver Community every year.
Supporting our Asda communities
DFN Project SEARCH: Creating pathways to employment
Since 2023, we have partnered with DFN Project SEARCH to deliver industry-leading supported internship programmes for students with learning disabilities and/or autism. Nearly 40 Asda stores now offer year-long placements, with the programme continuing to expand each year.
Our commitment was recognised through the DFN Project SEARCH Host Business of the Year Award in 2025 and the Founder and Patron's Award for Transformational Impact in 2026, reflecting the quality of our programmes and our dedication to widening access to employment opportunities.
The programme provides young people with valuable workplace experience, helping them build skills, confidence and independence. With only 4.8% of people in England and 4.1% in Scotland with a learning disability securing paid employment after education, compared with 80% of their peers, the programme has the potential to be truly life changing for participants and their families.
Regional Director, Kieron, explains the impact the programme has had on young people and colleagues in our Minworth store:
“For the past nine months, we have had the privilege of working alongside a number of young interns as they developed valuable skills to help prepare them for future employment. It has been truly inspiring to watch every one of them grow over the past nine months. Seeing how our outstanding colleagues have welcomed them, supported them and made them feel part of the Asda family has been something really special. Listening to their parents talk about the confidence, independence and development they have seen during this time was incredibly moving. We’re also delighted that a number of these young people have already secured employment, which is a fantastic achievement and a testament to their hard work and determination.”
