[ Press releases listing ](/media/media/news-and-press-releases " Press releases listing") 22 May. 2025 ## Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) has released a preview of the latest Elevate Inclusive Workplace Pledge Annual Report with Veolia Ireland playing a central role. Veolia’s Sinéad Patton is co-chair of the BITCI Subgroup on Social Inclusion which developed and launched the Elevate Pledge in 2021. The Elevate Pledge supports businesses to build more inclusive workplaces creating a workforce that is representative of all members of Irish society. [Veolia signs up to Elevate: the Inclusive Workplace Pledge](/newsroom/news-and-press-releases/veolia-signs-elevate-inclusive-workplace-pledge) ![Sinead Patton portrait](/sites/g/files/dvc2576/files/styles/default/public/image/2025/05/Sinead%20Patton%20_%20Official%20photo%20_%20November%202024%20_%200W2C4755.jpg.webp?itok=olncbAL5) The preview of the fourth Annual Report reveals that over 60 large companies, with a combined workforce of over 160,000 employees, are signatories. By signing up to the Pledge, these companies make a public commitment to creating a culture where everyone feels welcome, has access to opportunities and is supported to thrive. **Highlights from the report preview** Companies remain committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) but more needs to be done Increasing female representation at senior levels is the most common KPI among signatories 7% of the Elevate workforce have identified as having a disability and 6% have disclosed they are neurodiverse 64% of signatories partnered with employment support organisations to widen their recruitment channels. 16% of the Elevate signatories’ workforce are from ethnic minority groups Veolia Ireland's internal progress in 2024 demonstrates the positive impact of our diversity efforts, with a nearly 10% increase in female employees and a 25% increase in non-Irish citizen employees. With Veolia Ireland leading the way, this collective action campaign has helped Irish companies evolve from one-off actions to now pursuing a range of meaningful tangible initiatives to demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity. [Read the full report preview](https://bitc.ie/breaking-barriers-the-power-of-inclusive-employment/) [ ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2576/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2024/05/Panelists%20Tomas%2C%20Sinead%20and%20Harry%20content%20push.jpg.webp?itok=uDAoVq3s) ](/media/news-and-press-releases/3rd-elevate-pledge-annual-report-launched "3rd Elevate Pledge Annual Report launched") Sustainability - 25 April 2024 [3rd Elevate Pledge Annual Report launched](/media/news-and-press-releases/3rd-elevate-pledge-annual-report-launched "3rd Elevate Pledge Annual Report launched") Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) launched its 3rd annual Elevate, The Inclusive Workplace, Pledge Report which presents a diversity profile of the workforce drawn from 60 signatory companies. [Read more](/media/news-and-press-releases/3rd-elevate-pledge-annual-report-launched "Read more") [ ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2576/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/05/BITC0236-Copy.jpg.webp?itok=4I6jbhO-) ](/media/news-and-press-releases/second-elevate-pledge-annual-report-diversity-and-inclusion-published "Second Elevate Pledge annual report published") Sustainability - 27 April 2023 [Second Elevate Pledge annual report published](/media/news-and-press-releases/second-elevate-pledge-annual-report-diversity-and-inclusion-published "Second Elevate Pledge annual report published") Diversity and Inclusion data from 60 companies spanning 11 sectors and with a workforce of over 150,000 people. [Read more](/media/news-and-press-releases/second-elevate-pledge-annual-report-diversity-and-inclusion-published "Read more") [ ![Kilkenny Business Awards Employer of the Year winners logo](/sites/g/files/dvc2576/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2024/11/KBA%202024%20Winners%20Logo_1.jpeg.webp?itok=DVc0LeOM) ](/media/news-and-press-releases/veolia-wins-employer-year "Veolia wins Employer of the Year") People - 26 November 2024 [Veolia wins Employer of the Year](/media/news-and-press-releases/veolia-wins-employer-year "Veolia wins Employer of the Year") Veolia is proud to have won the Employer of the Year award at the Kilkenny Business Awards [Read more](/media/news-and-press-releases/veolia-wins-employer-year "Read more")