The majority of UK business leaders say they will not be adjusting their Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) strategies in response to moves by the US government to roll back similar programmes, according to new research from the Institute of Directors (IoD).
A March 2025 survey of 605 IoD members found that 71% have no intention of changing their organisation’s ED&I policies, despite President Trump’s executive orders to dismantle Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives across US government agencies.
Only 11% of those surveyed said they expect their organisations to scale down ED&I efforts, suggesting that UK business sentiment remains firmly committed to fostering inclusive workplace practices.
The findings come amid growing concern that recent political developments in the US could influence corporate culture globally. In the wake of Trump’s directives, many American companies have begun winding down their DEI programmes — a move that has reignited debates around the role of business in promoting social responsibility.
However, the IoD’s research shows that UK firms remain largely unmoved by developments across the Atlantic.
“Whilst developments in ED&I in the US may have some spillover effect in the UK, the vast majority of UK workplaces will see no change,” said Alex Hall-Chen, Principal Policy Advisor for Employment at the IoD.
“For employers without a US footprint, the prevailing view is that decisions made by the US government and US companies will have little bearing on their own investment in ED&I programmes.”
Nevertheless, she acknowledged that for multinational firms, the path forward may be more complex. “Some global employers will undoubtedly have to tread a difficult line between avoiding divergence with US counterparts and meeting the expectations of UK stakeholders,” she added.
In the UK, ED&I remains a key focus for many businesses, particularly as organisations look to improve workforce representation, inclusive leadership, and access to opportunity — areas increasingly seen as critical to long-term business performance, stakeholder confidence and regulatory compliance.
While UK-based companies may monitor developments overseas, the latest data indicates they are not prepared to scale back their commitment to ED&I — reinforcing the sense that these programmes are embedded as a core part of British business culture, rather than a passing trend.
