Richard Houston’s Post

I’m really proud to see Deloitte named in the 2024 Sunday Times Best Places to Work list.   It’s an important recognition of the efforts we have made – and continue to make – to create a workplace where our people feel valued, empowered and included and where they can keep learning and developing in their careers.   Thank you to all our colleagues who provided their feedback and to all our people and partners who help make our firm what it is today.   #STBPTW The Times   https://lnkd.in/erKAeVPG

I had a great day in Cardiff last week – thanks to all our colleagues who joined the town hall and for the great questions!   I also had the chance to meet Rt Hon Vaughan Gething, Wales’ new First Minister to hear his ambitions for sustainable and inclusive growth. I discussed the role that Deloitte – with over 1,600 colleagues in the nation - can play in this, including our commitment to building skills and digital inclusion through our local apprenticeship schemes and laptop donations. #Inclusivegrowth #digitalinclusion #Wales

We are continually working to improve the experience for all our people at Deloitte and I’m so pleased to see our firm make the top five in the 2024 LinkedIn Top Companies list in the UK 😊    Thanks to all our colleagues for sharing your insights and feedback through our Town Halls and Ask the CEOs… and everyone who helps makes Deloitte a great place to work! #CareersatDeloitte #LinkedInTopCompanies

‘Firsts’ move the world forward.    The first women to vote, the first telephone call, the first moon landing…   What was at first inconceivable can be achievable – and it can change the world.   Ahead of #Paris2024, we are launching our new campaign, #TheFirstEffect, to shine a light on how firsts move the world forward both on and off the podium.   And I can’t wait to see what firsts will be accomplished at the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer in Paris!   As well as tracking firsts at #Paris2024, Deloitte will be using its global scale and understanding of innovation to help the Olympic Movement make progress in critical areas like sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion, plus athlete support and wellbeing. https://deloi.tt/4cUTnc1

A turning point for the economy? Our latest survey of finance leaders revealed optimism running at well above average levels and a reduction in uncertainty that we haven’t seen since the end of the pandemic lockdown restrictions. Given geopolitical tensions - and in a year of significant national elections - it’s unsurprising that defensive strategies are still very much in play, but it’s great to see some positive momentum for business and the economy. See more from the CFO survey here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eyXT3PRe #CFOSurvey #Economics #Deloitte #BusinessOptimism 

Great discussion with Jo Ahmed and the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, looking at how the public and private sector can work together to attract inward investment and drive wider economic benefits. We also discussed the role that we can play in supporting the region’s aim to be carbon neutral by 2038.   Andy’s passion and commitment to promoting investment, building skills, and unlocking the potential of the city region has contributed to making Manchester a dynamic and attractive place for business and individuals to live and work. We’re looking forward to opening our new office in the city this summer and expanding our presence in the region by 20% over the next two years.   I’m excited about what we can do to drive regional growth and improve access to opportunity for communities across the North-West and beyond. #regionalgrowth #skills #northwest #manchester Deloitte

This week, as part of our firm’s commemorations of Holocaust Memorial Day, my colleagues and I had the privilege to listen first hand to the testimony of Mala Tribich MBE, a Holocaust survivor.   Like many, I have read a lot about the horrors of the Holocaust, but hearing it directly from a survivor made a fundamentally different impact on me than any book or film. Mala’s courage in sharing some of the worst moments of her life has made a deep and long-lasting impression.   Mala is one of a small number of survivors who can give this crucial testimony and it won’t always be possible for future generations to hear these stories first-hand. That’s why the work of the Holocaust Educational Trust is so critical – to keep educating and informing the world about the Holocaust, sharing stories like Mala’s with the generations of the future and reminding people that antisemitism is sadly still very much a part of our society today.   Thank you to Mala for your remarkable and incredibly moving story and to Karen Pollock CBE of the Holocaust Educational Trust. Thank you also to our Jewish Network and sponsor partners Gideon Kay, Eytan Hallside and Mark Saunderson. I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by colleagues who want to learn more and help others learn to make a difference in our communities.

I’ve had so many fascinating conversations this week at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on the impact of AI on social equality… so much to reflect on for us, and for all businesses and governments. #wef24 #DeloitteatDavos #GenAi #digitaldivide Deloitte https://lnkd.in/eqriW2P3

Generative AI should be available and accessible to everyone. That’s why, in addition to rolling out our in-house Gen AI platform PairD to 75,000 of our colleagues, we’re also providing free access and training for the tool to Scope – the leading disability charity.   Our AI experts will upskill the charity’s employees so they can make full use of Gen AI in a way that supports Scope and the people that they are trying to help every day. We’ll take the learnings from this to then help other charities in a similar way. This is a part of our long-term ambitions to help make access to AI more inclusive and close the digital divide. PairD is part of how we’re transforming our firm through technology - a theme that was reinforced in our CFO Survey, which shows finance leaders expect to see sustained business investment in new technology amid increasing disruption. It will be critical that businesses help ensure that the adoption of this new tech promotes social equality rather than exacerbating existing disparities. https://lnkd.in/epEjbmU8 Deloitte #genai #cfosurvey #digitalinclusion #5MF #ImpactThatMatters

For many, this time of year is a time for giving.... So as 2023 comes to a close, I wanted to thank all my NSE colleagues for giving their skills, their creativity and their time to make a difference where it matters most (in this video 🎥 ). I wish you and your loved ones a happy and peaceful festive season, and my very best wishes for the year ahead. #ImpactThatMatters  #BetterFutures #WorldClass