REC EDI Forum

The Best Connection Joins the Conversation at REC EDI Forum 

The Best Connection reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive growth and ethical recruitment at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s Winning New Business in the Changing Market – EDI Forum, held in London this May. The event brought together industry leaders to explore how equality, diversity, and inclusion can drive success in an ever-evolving business landscape. 

Representing The Best Connection were Lee Crimes, Area Manager and member of the company’s ED&I Champions group, and Trevor Higgs, Head of Central Sales. The forum brought together industry professionals to share insights on critical topics shaping the future of recruitment and workforce strategy. 

Key Themes: Legal Compliance, Inclusion, and Technology 

Throughout the forum, sessions focused on navigating the legal landscape of EDI, unlocking business growth through inclusive practices, and understanding the ethical challenges and opportunities presented by AI in recruitment. 

Legal Responsibilities in Inclusive Hiring 

Speaker: Melissa Mhondoro, Head of Legal Advice, REC 
Melissa opened the forum by addressing legal hot topics in recruitment, including guidance on advertising vacancies fairly and managing sickness absence. One key focus was the legal risks surrounding discrimination and “injury to feelings”, a term referring to compensation for emotional distress caused by discriminatory practices. Melissa explained how these are assessed through Vento bands, guidelines from the Court of Appeal that are updated annually. 

Her session reinforced the real consequences of non-compliance, from reputational damage to legal costs, and the importance of embedding fair, legally sound practices into every part of the recruitment process. 

Inclusive Culture as a Competitive Edge 

Speaker: Beth Foley, Associate Director, Liquid Friday 
Beth shared how Liquid Friday, one of the first payroll providers to partner with the REC’s EDI initiative, has actively worked to create a more inclusive approach to hiring. She challenged attendees to rethink rigid role requirements, like mandatory degrees, which often discourage strong candidates. Drawing from personal experience, Beth showed how inclusive thinking not only opens doors for candidates but can also give companies a competitive advantage in sales and partnership building. 

Both Lee and Trevor engaged with thought-provoking presentations from sector experts, gaining valuable knowledge to bring back to the business. These insights will help inform how The Best Connection continues to evolve its practices and support both clients and temporary workers in a fair, future-ready way. 

A Business Built on Growth, Learning and People 

As a national recruitment agency, The Best Connection continues to prioritise learning and development in all areas of its operation – especially when it comes to EDI and supporting our clients. The company recognises that building stronger client relationships and supporting temporary workers starts with understanding and reflecting the diverse communities it serves. 

 “As an organisation, we’re committed to continually evolving how we support our clients and temporary workers. Equality, diversity, and inclusion aren’t just values we talk about – they’re central to how we grow and move forward. Attending this EDI Forum hosted by the REC was incredibly valuable. It provided fresh insights and practical takeaways that will help us further strengthen our approach and continue building a more inclusive, forward-thinking business.” 

– Lee Crimes, Area Manager & ED&I Champions Member 

Looking Forward 

The Best Connection remains focused on embedding inclusive practice across its branch network, sales teams, and leadership functions. Participation in forums like these is just one of many ways the business stays informed, connected, and accountable as it supports people and businesses across the UK. 

To learn more about our partnerships and initiatives at The Best Connection, head to our News page!