News and Updates

Arco has launched a new inclusion committee focused on driving equity and diversity within the business.

The UK and Ireland's leading safety expert announced the forming of the new committee as part of National Inclusion Week (23-29 September).

The theme of this year's National Inclusion Week, "Impact Matters", is about taking meaningful steps toward real, sustainable inclusion in the workplace.

Arco is inviting any of its 1,400 employees to take part if they choose to do so, with the aim of raising issues and discussing actions that create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can be at their best.

The committee is a strengthening of Arco's commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I), and creating a workplace where every voice is heard, and every colleague is valued.

By joining, staff will have the opportunity to influence decisions and actions that foster a supportive and inclusive workplace environment.

Chief commercial officer Simon Allan-Brooks is the executive sponsor of the committee, which will be chaired by market research and insight manager Leigh Hanson.

Asked why he wanted to be the sponsor, Simon said it was important for people in all areas and all levels of the business to be part of the committee.

He said: "It is a real privilege to be part of such a great committee and driving inclusion forward. I am looking forward to the self-education along the way with our team.

"For me as an executive, it's really important to be a sponsor for such an important topic. It's also a continuous education journey for me. As a middle-aged, white male, I'm stereotypically the person that needs to really learn about inclusion.

"So, while it's a topic I'm interested in and one I should be driving, I also have a lot to learn. And what better way than to be involved right from the outset?"

Arco has worked closely with Garry Clarke-Strange, of Think Inclusion Consulting, to define what inclusion means for the company.

Garry said: "From working with Arco this year to define their approach to inclusion, to now seeing change and action happen so quickly is refreshing and inspiring in equal measure; and something the entire industry should aspire to follow.

"I'm excited to see the impact the inclusion committee, with the support of Simon and wider executive team, will have over the next 12 months towards helping ensure that everyone at Arco can feel like they belong."

Arco's Chelsea Baxter has been named Advanced Apprentice of the Year at the inaugural East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards, with Arco runner-up in the Large Employer of the Year category.

The awards, which celebrate apprentices, employers, colleges, trainers, and supporters across the region, were held last night at the MKM Stadium in Hull.

Chelsea, an E-Procurement Analyst at Arco, picked up the win after recently completing her Level 3 improvement technician apprenticeship with distinction.

Chelsea said: "It's scary going back into a learning environment so long after finishing university in 2014, but I had fantastic support from Arco, particularly from my manager Paul Burton, which made it not so scary.

"The apprenticeship took a lot of work and it's fab to see that acknowledged with this award."

Arco, the UK and Ireland's leading safety specialist, was highly commended in the Large Employer of the Year award, which was won by BAE Systems.

Arco's Future Experts programme was launched in 2015 and is an important part of the company's talent development strategy.

Apprentices benefit from a blend of on-the-job training and formal education, with 100% of apprentices having secured permanent positions within the company after completing their training, and 75% remaining employed at Arco for at least 12 months after completion.

Arco plans to expand its apprenticeship offerings in the future, increasing the number of higher and degree-level apprenticeships available to employees across the business.

Darren Ford, Arco’s head of organisational development and learning & development, said:

"We are so proud of our colleague Chelsea for winning this well-deserved award, and thrilled to be highly commended as a business for our apprenticeship programme.

"At Arco, we believe that investing in the future means investing in our apprentices. The recognition at the East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards is a testament to our dedication to empowering individuals and driving business success through our Future Experts programme.

"We are proud of what we have achieved and excited for the future of our programme and of our apprentices."

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Leading workwear and safety footwear brand TROJAN has launched its most inclusive range of safety shoes to date, including unisex work trainers that offer "true female fit".

The new TROJAN footwear range, available exclusively from Arco, has been designed in a modern style, reflecting the growing shift in consumer preferences from traditional safety boots and shoes to more stylish, casual trainers and hiker boots.

Along with specific men's and women's options, the new collection includes unisex trainers that have been moulded on the contours of women's feet in sizes 3-6, offering a true female fit. This makes it easier for businesses across a variety of industries to kit out their whole team with the same level of comfort, support and protection.

The range includes five new styles, all made with lightweight materials and offering enhanced comfort and performance features such as improved footbeds.

• Perses men's safety trainers
• Maia women's safety trainers
• Nyx women's safety hiker boots
• Eurus unisex safety trainers (steel)
• Notus unisex safety trainers (non-metallic)

All five options meet the latest safety footwear standard (EN ISO 20345:2022), providing slip resistance and steel or composite toe protection and midsoles. The non-metallic styles incorporate advanced midsole materials to provide superior protection.

Trojan products undergo extensive testing in Arco’s own Product Assurance laboratory, the first UK testing lab able to carry out UKAS-accredited testing against impacts, compression, midsole perforation, slip resistance and electrical resistance of safety footwear certified to the revised standard.

To help businesses achieve their sustainability goals, all styles in the new TROJAN footwear range incorporate recycled materials in the linings, laces and footbeds, with 45 per cent Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified uppers.

Becky Casson, buying director at Arco, said:

"Arco is committed to leading the way in innovative and inclusive workplace solutions. This new Trojan footwear range not only modernises our footwear offerings but also reinforces our dedication to providing more inclusive workwear options.

"We believe that every worker deserves footwear that fits well, looks great, and performs under pressure, and this collection delivers just that."

See the full TROJAN range