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This Week’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Headlines – U.S. & Europe | March 15, 2025. DEI policies continue to evolve across corporations in the U.S. and Europe, with some companies reaffirming commitments while others scale back. Starbucks holds firm on its DEI initiatives, while new regulatory measures face temporary delays. Here’s a quick look at the top headlines shaping the DEI landscape this week.
Corporate Revisions to DEI Initiatives
Kohl’s Rebrands DEI Role and Expands Supplier Diversity
On March 14, 2025, Kohl’s announced a strategic shift by changing the title of its Chief DEI Officer to Chief Inclusion and Belonging Officer. Michelle Banks, who has been with Kohl’s since 2010 and assumed the DEI role in 2021, emphasized that this evolution reflects the company’s renewed focus on fostering inclusion and belonging within its corporate culture. Additionally, Kohl’s expanded its supplier diversity program to incorporate qualified small businesses, including those owned by diverse entrepreneurs. This move aligns with recent trends where companies are reassessing DEI-related policies in response to political pressures.
Starbucks CEO Affirms Commitment to DEI Initiatives
During a shareholder meeting on March 13, 2025, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol reaffirmed the company’s dedication to DEI practices, highlighting them as a fundamental strength of the business. Niccol underscored the importance of reflecting the diversity of Starbucks’ global customer base and workforce across its 40,000 stores in 88 markets. This stance comes amid a broader corporate trend of scaling back DEI initiatives, with Starbucks choosing to maintain its focus on these principles.
Lloyds Banking Group Modifies Diversity Targets Linked to Bonuses
Lloyds Banking Group announced a revision in its approach to diversity targets associated with executive bonuses. The bank narrowed its focus from broader gender and ethnic representation in senior roles to specifically targeting diversity within executive positions. This adjustment aligns with government-backed initiatives but represents a shift from more expansive inclusivity efforts. The decision reflects a broader corporate trend of reevaluating DEI measures, as seen with other major companies adjusting their diversity programs.
Governmental and Regulatory Actions
Executive Orders Impacting DEI Programs: Recent federal actions have altered the legal landscape for DEI initiatives. President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14173 revoked previous directives mandating affirmative action for federal contractors, stating that DEI policies violate federal civil rights laws. This order directs agencies to investigate race- and gender-conscious practices, influencing how companies navigate their DEI strategies.
UK Regulators Halt New DEI Rules: The UK’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) decided against implementing new DEI rules for financial firms, opting to support voluntary industry initiatives instead. This decision aligns with trends in the US under President Trump’s rollback of DEI policies and reflects a push to reduce regulations to stimulate economic growth.
RELATED ARTICLE: DEI Week in Review: Corporate and Government Shifts Reshape U.S.
Regulatory Bodies Halt Implementation of New DEI Rules
The Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) decided against introducing new diversity and inclusion regulations for financial firms. Citing concerns over additional regulatory burdens and associated costs, the regulators opted to support voluntary industry-led initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion. This decision aligns with a broader trend of reducing regulatory interventions to stimulate economic growth, reflecting similar patterns observed in other regions.
Public and Industry Reactions
Criticism of DEI Partnerships: Anson Frericks, a former Anheuser-Busch executive, criticized Bud Light’s partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, labeling it inauthentic and damaging to the brand. He attributed such decisions to increased focus on DEI initiatives, which he believes led to impractical business choices. nypost.com
Misidentification of Programs as DEI: Following President Trump’s executive order ending DEI initiatives, several government programs unrelated to DEI but containing keywords like “equity” were mistakenly flagged for review or elimination. This has led to disruptions and criticism from federal employees managing these programs.
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