Hutchinson kicks off 'DEI as a service' consultancy after leaving Trustmarque

"A robust DEI strategy should be integral to every organisation's DNA," former Trustmarque CRO says

Former Trustmarque CRO and SHI International MD Donavan Hutchinson has struck out on his own, offering D&I assessment and consulting services to the channel.

After leaving Trustmarque at the end of March, Hutchinson says he took a much needed break and then threw all his energy into D&A Services International, which he founded with the goal of creating the channel's first completely outsourced DEI consultancy.

Diversity and representation in tech and, more specifically, the channel, stalled across 2023 and the first months of 2024.

According to the most recent numbers from Tech Talent Charter, published in early 2024, diversity in tech is stagnating across categories including gender, ethnicity and economic background. As an example, just 29 per cent of tech employees are women or non-binary people. And while this number has increased year-on-year, the percentage of women and NB individuals in senior roles (21 per cent) has not kept pace.

Encouragingly, a quarter of tech employees identify as part of an ethnic minority, but with the figures heavily skewed towards London, this brings up concerns about the rest of the country, where many channel businesses operate head offices.

Most alarmingly, just nine per cent of tech employees are reported to be from lower socio-economic backgrounds compared to 29 per cent in finance and 23 per cent in law.

Enter D&A Services

Hutchinson explains the motivation behind starting the org with husband Alex: "After working in the tech industry for over 20 years, my husband and I decided to establish D&A Services International Ltd to support businesses in their DEI and CSR efforts. Our focus is on DEI as a Service, leveraging our experience in driving cultural change, top-line revenue growth, and increased profits through prioritising a business's most important asset—its people."

At launch, the consultancy offers a range of services, including cultural assessments, benefits and policy reviews, diversity in recruitment services and placing non-executive directors or advisory board leaders to introduce diversity at the boardroom level.

The duo are also leveraging keynote speaking, training and education, DEI certification support, and marketing and events focused on DEI and CSR activities as an entry point to the DEI conversation for organisations early on in their journey.

Hutchinson emphasises that the firm's approach is comprehensive, aiming to support underrepresented groups and ensure meaningful inclusivity without falling into tokenism or "rainbow capitalism."

Inclusivity as an imperative, not a tick box

"As an LGBTQIA+ minority-owned business, we work alongside other minority and diverse-owned organisations. Our commitment is to inclusivity as an imperative, not a tick-box exercise. A robust DEI strategy should be integral to every organisation's DNA," Hutchinson asserts.

D&A is in the process of forming several strategic partnerships, with announcements expected soon.

The consultancy is a registered OutBritain member and a Pride Life Global Advocate organisation, with the goal being collaboration with other minority and underrepresented group-owned firms focused on DEI.

Priorities for the first year

In its inaugural year, D&A Services International aims to engage, educate, and raise awareness about the importance of DEI.

The consultancy will work with organisations of all sizes, having already cited large orgs on the distribution and vendor side as part of its network.

Hutchinson is confident in the benefits of DEI as a Service not only from a profitability standpoint but also from a cultural perspective.

"Our goal is to ensure that DEI becomes a focal point at all levels of the organisation, not just a tactical engagement driven by the DEI calendar or as a checkbox exercise. We aim to integrate DEI and CSR into the core of our clients' operations, helping them achieve greater inclusivity and sustainability," Hutchinson concludes.