Validated by the disability equality charity Scope, this achievement recognises Hippo’s commitment to supporting its employees and building a balanced, fair and inclusive organisation, alongside acting as a champion for disability equity across the wider technology sector.
The Disability Confident scheme
This UK government initiative is designed to encourage employers to think differently about disability and improve their strategy, process and actions around recruiting, retaining and developing disabled people across organisations. The scheme encompasses three levels:
- Level 1: Disability Confident Committed
- Level 2: Disability Confident Employer
- Level 3: Disability Confident Leader
The scheme encourages progression and improvement to help organisations become better equipped to build an inclusive culture that celebrates everyone and empowers disabled people in the workplace.
Leadership in advocacy
The foundation of Level 3 Disability Confident Leader status is built across three stages of assessment: Challenge, Leadership and Reporting on disability, mental health and wellbeing. Hippo underwent a rigorous independent validation process delivered by our partners Scope, across multiple criteria encompassing recruitment, internal policy and external advocacy and leadership. This included evidencing inclusive recruitment practices such as the ‘Offer an Interview’ commitment for all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for a role at Hippo.
As part of its commitment to driving systemic change and influence the broader ecosystem for disabled people, Hippo has also taken steps including:
- Supply chain challenge: Encouraging suppliers and partners to adopt the Disability Confident scheme and using our influence to ensure inclusive practice is central to supply chain and delivery ecosystem.
- Strategic partnerships: Our partnership with Scope demonstrates how Hippo has leveraged its core digital and data expertise for social benefit and to inform the charity’s campaigning and influencing.
- Sector influence and advocacy: Hippo is a member of the DEI Tech Collective in Leeds, supporting events to promote Disability Confident principles and contributing to cultural change within the tech industry, such as with A11y North.
As part of our diversity monitoring and internal reporting, as of April 2025, 6.3% of Hippo’s workforce identified as being disabled or having a long-term health condition. We are also committed to the Voluntary Reporting Framework to ensure ongoing transparency regarding disability and mental health in the workplace.
Reflecting on our progress
“We’re delighted to achieve Level 3 Disability Confident Leader status. This is not just an accreditation for Hippo, it’s also a platform for us to proactively champion disability inclusion across our supply chain, our network and the wider tech sector. Diversity, inclusion and belonging remains a key focus within our organisation; it strengthens our culture, improves the work we deliver for clients, and helps us to leverage our digital expertise for a more inclusive environment for all.”
Lara Longhurst, Chief Operating Officer
“Inclusivity is at the heart of our people strategy. Recruiting, developing, and retaining diverse teams is fundamental to our business approach. This recognition validates the hard work of the Hippo team and our Communities of Belonging, to remove barriers, shape our policies, and create an environment where all can thrive.”
Helen Croft, Head of People
“Taking the step to Level 3 is a testament to our focus of moving beyond simple compliance to being a leader in disability advocacy. By working with our Disabled Community of Belonging, listening to staff feedback, and taking action we’ve made great strides on this continuous journey. The progress doesn’t stop here and we’re dedicated to making Hippo a place where everyone can flourish at work.”
Pete Mercer, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DI&B) Advisor
