Diversity & Inclusion policy for Geovation Programme (FOI241230)

We received your request on 25 March 2024.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.

A copy of your request is set out in the extract below:

“I’d like to request the following information as part of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. 

1. Your diversity and inclusion policy for the incubator and wider community
2. Information on your marketing plan with regards to finding applicants for the 2024 scheme and community as a whole.
3. In particular I’d like information on the ways you promote Geotech and Proptech innovation to groups in the following categories:
   
   • Women
   • BAME communities
   • LGBTQ+ communities
   • Older people (over 50’s)
   • Those located outside of the main investment areas of London, Oxford and Cambridge
4. Finally I would like to see the anonymised data on how you have increased inclusion and diversity over the last 17 years of running the scheme.”

Taking each request in turn, I confirm the following:

1. Your diversity and inclusion policy for the incubator and wider community

I confirm that the requested information is not held.

Geovation does not have a separate diversity and inclusion policy.

However, under the duty to provide information and assistance in accordance with section 16 of FOIA, we can provide the following information which may assist you in this matter:

Geovation is an initiative run by OS Limited in association with HM Land Registry and as such is not a separate legal entity. Please view the OS website in relation to what diversity and inclusion means to OS here: Diversity and inclusion | Careers at OS (ordnancesurvey.co.uk)

2. Information on your marketing plan with regards to finding applicants for the 2024 scheme and community as a whole

Where you have referred to ‘scheme’ we understand your request to be asking for the Geovation marketing plan for the Accelerator programme.

I confirm that the requested information is not held.

However, under the duty to provide information and assistance in accordance with section 16 of FOIA, we can provide the following information which may assist you in this matter:

Applications for the Accelerator programme and information relating to the Geovation community is available on the Geovation and OS websites and OS social media channels. Information is found by the members / applicants predominantly by these channels.

3. In particular I’d like information on the ways you promote Geotech and Proptech innovation to groups in the following categories:

• Women

• BAME communities

• LGBTQ+ communities

• Older people (over 50’s)

• Those located outside of the main investment areas of London, Oxford and Cambridge

I confirm the requested information is not held.

Geotech and Proptech innovation is not promoted specifically to the groups you have listed.

However, under the duty to provide information and assistance in accordance with section 16 of FOIA, we can provide the following information which may assist you in this matter:

In relation to your last bullet point, there is a network of partner hubs based in Cardiff, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and Manchester that provide benefits to Geovation Community Members. Please see the Geovation website Partner Hubs | Geovation for further details.

4. Finally I would like to see the anonymised data on how you have increased inclusion and diversity over the last 17 years of running the scheme.

I confirm that the requested information is not held.

Advice and Assistance

Geovation would be happy to discuss any of the matters raised in your request further with you as we are keen to explore practical ways to address diversity and inclusion going forward, as such we will be in touch with you in due course.