23 Asia-Pacific companies recognised for diversity

A total of 23 companies from the Asia-Pacific region have earned a spot among the top 100 most diverse and inclusive organisations globally, according to research by finance industry consultancy Refinitiv.  Australia leads the region, with nine companies ranked among the top 100. Among these were the Woolworths Group, Star Entertainment, and CSR Limited.

Japan was the second-most represented market, with five companies on the list, including Shiseido, Fujitsu, and Astellas Pharma. Other Asian markets with high representation on the list include South Korea and Malaysia.

Elena Philipova, Global Head of Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG) at Refinitiv, says the company has been cataloguing the world’s best companies for diverse hiring practices since 2015.  “Our Diversity and Inclusion Index, now in its fourth year, recognizes the companies who are leading the way in imbedding diversity and inclusion into their business strategy and practices,” she said.

“As ESG principles become commonplace around the world, many executives and investment professionals are looking at the implementation of ESG fundamentals — Diversity and Inclusion being part of it — not as a ‘nice to have’, but as an essential lens for investment and strategy decision-making.”

Accenture, Diageo and Royal Bank of Canada were the top three companies in the world in this year’s D&I index.