Companies with strong performance cultures, operating in widely differing markets, are more and more turning their corporate focus to find ways of tackling diversity. Businesses are coming to recognise that future success is bound inextricably with the diversity of their workforce and their ability to build an inclusive culture - welcoming talented people and partners from across the globe.

The Global Diversity Network (GDN) comprises a group of leading, globally-focused companies that share a commitment to the development of diversity.

The Network was founded in April 2000 by BP and Schneider-Ross, following research which concluded that global, high performing companies saw dedication to diversity as 'mission critical.' Not only was diversity finding its way on to the agenda of the boardroom, but companies active in the field wanted to know about the progress that others were making.

The network's mission is 'to bring together leading companies, to help them develop and renew their global diversity strategies.' The vision is of a stimulating and creative network of up to 15 member companies that now includes Barclays, BP, Cadbury Schweppes, Deutsche Bank, Dow, Nokia, Philip Morris, Shell, Tyco, Unilever.

"From the outset, we at BP have committed to making the network a success - we see many benefits flowing from it. It's been invaluable for us to build a good sense of what other companies are doing on diversity, and to learn from others' experiences as well as our own"

Isabelle Pujol, BP.

"We've covered a lot of ground in the past two years. If the network didn't exist now, we'd have to invent it….it's fulfilling a key role in taking diversity forward on a global level"

David Wilkins, Dow Chemicals.

Member companies describe some of the Network's tangible benefits as:

• Trusted and in-depth exchange of information between leaders in diversity
• Collaboration and shared resources in tackling common challenges
• Practical 'takeaway' ideas - things that have been tried out in peer organisations
• Peer-to-peer support - someone to talk to who faces similar challenges
• Access to research and consultancy through Schneider-Ross and partner organisations.

See overleaf for illustration of GDN benefits and services.

To qualify for membership of the Network, companies must have at least 20,000 employees worldwide, be operating in many countries and be seeking to move their corporate culture beyond home-country domination. Naturally they need to be able to demonstrate that they are tackling diversity globally, not just in the UK or US, are integrating diversity into core business processes and are prepared to work collectively with other members.

For more information on becoming a member of the Global Diversity Network click here.