ABRO
We carried out a range of work with ABRO, an engineering organisation that works closely with the Ministry of Defence, on a number of diversity initiatives. These included providing advice on developing an approach to equality impact assessments: a review of human resources in respect of diversity and equality, and some training and development programmes.

ACAS
In collaboration with DLA we set up the Equality Direct telephone advisory service and a web based resource for employers. Equality Direct provided confidential telephone advice on equality and diversity issues in the area of employment. MDA recruited, trained and provided expert legal and policy backup for the advice service.

Amicus Horizon Housing Group
MDA assisted with the development of the group-wide Diversity Strategy and Action Plan, providing a template to 'brand' the overall approach to diversity across the Group, with an ability for subsidiaries to develop and implement their specific action plans. MDA also provided a diversity boardroom recruitment service. Suitably competent people from BME communities were professionally 'head-hunted', assessed and appointed to the Group and subsidiary Boards.

BAA
MDA conducted interviews and coaching sessions with individual members of staff around equality and diversity workplace issues. The coaching sessions included the drawing up of self-action plans for individuals and their managers to follow.

Bristol City Council
MDA delivered a series of training workshops for managers and diversity officers on diversity generally, and with a focus on the practicalities of carrying out equality impact assessments of the delivery of Council services and their employment policies and practices.

British Red Cross (BRC)
MDA was commissioned to carry out an extensive audit and review of BRC in respect of its equality and diversity services and activities. The research project consisted of extensive desk research, a significant number of one-to-one interviews with staff and volunteers and focus groups and meetings throughout the UK and Northern Ireland. The report of this research has led to a programme of strategic change and detailed action plans across the organisation.

Calico Housing
MDA ran equality and diversity awareness and action training courses for all staff employed by the housing association. The courses focused on the equality and diversity aspects of housing service delivery and how the association should expand its market share of housing services in an area of low demand and market failure.

Cancer Research UK
MDA, in conjunction with DLA, carried out an extensive review and audit of the organisation which led to a programme of strategy and action planning. The work included the development of training programmes across the organisation.

Chevin Housing Group
MDA ran equality and diversity awareness courses for all managers, staff and board members in Chevin Housing Group tailored to the needs of each audience. The course focussed on the business case for equality and diversity in providing inclusive housing services and attracting and retaining a talented and diverse workforce.

Civil Service Appeal Board
MDA was commissioned to provide training workshops for the board members of the Civil Service Appeal Board in Northern Ireland on the implications of the Human Rights Act 1998 for the Board's functions.

Clapham Park
MDA has provided a range of training programmes to the staff and Board members. Training was provided to develop a local mentoring programme, targeted at mentors and mentees. We also delivered 'Fair recruitment and selection' training courses in preparation for a major recruitment drive, and diversity awareness training was provided for all staff.

Coastline Housing
MDA carried out a review of issues relating to alleged racial harassment and how the organisation dealt with this area. A report was produced with recommendations. MDA is also involved in a programme of training with the organisation in respect of diversity and equality, as well as harassment and bullying.

Commission for Architecture in the Built Environment (CABE)
MDA contributed to a report on a study of BME students in the architecture profession, and drafted a summary of the findings.

Commission for Racial Equality (CRE)
MDA were commissioned by the CRE to develop a new Statutory Code of Practice in Housing, which involved combining the two existing codes for the rented and non-rented housing sectors into one Statutory Code. The new Code of Practice reflected the numerous changes that have taken place in the housing arena, both in the legal framework, the social housing and private sector housing market, since the first Codes were issued in the 1980's. The development of the Code included extensive consultation with a range of national and local agencies.

Three Codes have been produced for England, Scotland and Wales. For further information and for copies of the Codes see: www.cre.gov.uk

Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
MDA carried out a Race Equality Impact Assessment of the way in which the CPS procures its goods and services. The CPS spends over £60m a year on externally purchased goods and services. As part of its Race Equality Strategy and Action Plan it had identified procurement as a priority area for assessment.

Direct Training Ltd
MDA designed and ran a series of tailored courses for all staff in this small training company. The course focussed on how the company delivered its services to its diverse service user group. Issues included; how to deal with questions from learners on equality issues, handling group or individual negativity, addressing issues around the placement providers and designing training on equality to deliver to learners.

Dyfed Powys Police
MDA, in partnership with DLA Piper, delivered a training course for police officers on the background and practical application of carrying out equality impact assessments.

East Homes (including East Living, East Potential)
We have carried out a range of work for these organisations, including audits and reviews and investigations, and an extensive review of the housing needs of tenants/residents, focussed around diversity and equality considerations.

East of England Development Agency (EEDA)
MDA has been involved in an extensive programme of work with EEDA in developing an approach to carrying out equality impact assessments, and running briefing/training sessions with staff with a view to carry out such assessments in practice. MDA have also been involved in reviewing work more generally around equality and diversity in the agency, and in its work with a variety of partners across the area in which it operates.

English Partnerships
MDA has worked with English Partnerships in developing a comprehensive approach to diversity and equality. This led to the development of a detailed strategy and action plan for the organisation. MDA were also involved in delivering an extensive programme of diversity training at the agency for its entire staff.

Equalities Commissions
As part of an initiative taken by Equality Commissions across the UK and including Southern Ireland, we were commissioned to carry out research around perspectives of identity of young people in Tottenham and in Glasgow. This formed part of a review by the Equalities Commissions of how they approach issues of identity in developing strategies in this area.

Ford Credit Europe Bank
MDA in collaboration with DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary ran a comprehensive rolling programme of training for all people managers at the bank which is part of the Ford motor group. The course, entitled 'Managing Diversity in Practice', outlines the key principles of discrimination law, defines harassment and bullying, examining unacceptable behaviour in the workplace and individual and company liability for such behaviour. The course then goes through the company's policies and best practice for managing diversity in the workplace.

Ford Motors
Ford Motors: MDA ran staff focus groups, interviews with individual staff members to obtain independent and objective feed back for the company on workers views its' Diversity Action Plan.

Foundation Housing
We carried out a review of staffing issues at the company, reviewing policies and procedures on equality and diversity. We conducted a survey of all staff based in one of the regional offices and reported the results together with a series of recommendations for change.

Housing Corporation
MDA was commissioned to conduct an evaluation of the Housing Corporation's Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Housing Policy and to make recommendations for the future. A copy of the report is available at: View Report (PDF)

MDA was also commissioned by the Housing Corporation to carry out a review of how far small housing associations had developed and progressed the issue of race equality. The report of this research entitled 'Race Equality: Guidance for Small Housing Associations' provides guidance and practical ideas for small housing associations. The emphasis is on a flexible approach which should be interpreted and customised to individual associations. The publication can be found at the following link on the Housing Corporation website: View Report (PDF)

ICI
MDA, in collaboration with DLA Piper, ran a series of courses on equality and diversity and Dignity at Work for several companies within the ICI group. The course was designed for people managers and included elements on the business case for diversity, discrimination law and liability for discrimination and harassment and ICI's policies for promoting and managing diversity. MDA continues to carry out a programme of such training with ICI.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation
MDA have delivered a programme of in-house staff training on equality and diversity across the Foundation and the Housing Trust.

Kier Group plc
MDA has carried out independent investigations into various staffing issues.

Labo
MDA carried out an extensive research programme into the views of tenants and residents in Tower Hamlets including their aspirations and needs. The review also looked at and considered housing issues in the Thames Gateway to draw up a picture of BME housing needs across the region, and exploring options for a BME-led organisation such as Labo to expand and grow its housing services in future years. The project resulted in a full report with recommendations for growth and expansion.

Lambeth Council and Metropolitan Housing Trust
We undertook an investigation into allegations of harassment and discrimination made in relation to the management of a large housing estate located in Lambeth. The investigation involved interviewing a substantial number of tenants and residents in order to identify relevant issues and making subsequent recommendations.

Lancaster Consulting

Legal Services Commission
MDA was commissioned by the LSC to carry out a major research exercise to assess the impact of proposals to change the way in which it contracted with criminal legal aid solicitor practices. The research focussed on the impact these proposals could have on BME run solicitor firms. The research report has recently been published.

Leicester College
MDA, in partnership with DLA Piper, delivered a training course for senior managers within the College on the legal framework and the practical application of the equality impact assessment tool.

Lothian and Borders Police
MDA, in partnership with DLA, carried out a training course around diversity, concentrating on how the organisation could integrate equality impact assessments as a core part of their diversity strategy.

Milton Keynes Partnership

National Children's Homes (NCH)
MDA has carried out a significant project for NCH and as part of this provided a continuing programme of diversity training across the organisation at all levels. MDA has also provided an investigation and mediation services to NCH.

National Clinical Assessment Association (NCAA)
In conjunction with DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary we undertook an audit and review of this organisation, leading to the development of a comprehensive diversity strategy across the agency.

National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
MDA has worked with NCVO on a number of projects in recent years. Initially, we contributed to a comprehensive audit and review of the whole organisation to develop an effective strategy to diversity and equality that reflected best practice in the voluntary sector. MDA has also subsequently been involved in developing a Good Practice Guide for the voluntary and not-for-profit sector, and this has recently been published by NCVO. http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/publications/index.asp?id=1468

National Housing Federation (NHF)
MDA provided diversity and managing diversity and equality training to all NHF staff as part of the development of an equality and diversity strategy for the organisation.

Norfolk County Council
We carried out a briefings and training especially around equality impact assessments with a number of funding organisations, to explore how they took account of diversity and equality issues in their developing work initiatives.

Northern Ireland Office
MDA delivered training workshops for managers and policy officers responsible for carrying out equality impact assessments on their various functions, as required by the Northern Ireland Act.

North West London NHS Hospitals Trust
MDA carried out two separate staffing reviews of equality and diversity issues at two hospitals sites within the trust.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) now the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
The Housing Corporation and the ODPM commissioned MDA to produce good practice guidance to promote the involvement of black and minority (BME) housing associations in the transfer of housing stock from local authorities to associations. The report, entitled 'Black and Minority Ethnic Housing Associations' can be found on their website.

The ODPM also commissioned MDA to research and review the supporting indicators to the Department's Corporate Public Service Agreements (PSAs) and their links to equality and diversity issues. This was an important piece of work and has assisted the ODPM in developing a more co-ordinated approach to diversity and equality across the Department at the strategic level.

MDA has also conducted equality impact assessments for the ODPM. One such assessment concerned the equality impact of the Thames Gateway initiative: one of the largest economic development projects in Europe. MDA continues to have a working relationship with ODPM in terms of ongoing equality impact assessments in the department.

Oldham Primary Care Trust (Oldham PCT)
MDA, in partnership with DLA Piper, have delivered training for senior managers within the trust on the background and practical application of carrying out impact assessments within the organisation.

Oldham United
MDA was also commissioned by the CRE to conduct an evaluation of the Oldham United Campaign, which brought together private sector companies and businesses in Oldham to make a contribution to community cohesion following the riots in the town of 2001.

Pentecostal Credit Union
PCU is the largest Credit Union in the UK, and as part of their 25 year anniversary, we were commissioned to carry out a research project evaluating and assessing their work and drawing out lessons for other similar organisations in the future. The report has been well received, and is being utilised as a model for other credit unions and in continuing work with such agencies as the Financial Services Authority www.fsa.gov.uk

Places for People Group
MDA completed a comprehensive diversity training programme which was delivered throughout the organisation. The training included 'diversity awareness', 'managing diversity' and how to implement the BME and Equality Housing Strategy.

Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO)
MDA has delivered several different training courses for employees at PITO. They included general diversity training and specific courses on avoiding harassment and bullying, and equality legislation. This training has been run across the organisation at all levels, and is a continuing programme.

Positive Action in Housing
PAiH is funded by Communities Scotland and we carried out a review and evaluation of the work of this voluntary organisation for the Scottish Office. The review included desk research and interviews with a range of stakeholders, clients and customers.

We have also advised PAiH in the development of a new training arm for the organisation, including a review of training needs in Scotland, and the development of relevant courses.

Preston Primary Care Trust (Preston PCT)
MDA, in partnership with DLA Piper, delivered a training course for senior managers in the trust on the legal framework and the practical application of the equality impact assessment tool.

Regional Development Agencies
MDA, as part of the follow up to a large Home Office funded project, has carried out a programme of work with Regional Development Agencies. This work included running briefing/training sessions with managers and staff on diversity generally and more specifically how the discipline of equality impact assessments can best be used in these agencies. Work has been carried out with the London Development Agency (LDA), the South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA), East of England Development Agency (EEDA), and the East Midlands Development Agency.

Reigate College
We carried out, with DLA, a programme of training and providing advice in respect of carrying out equality impact assessments.

Riverside Housing Association

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council
We undertook work with this Council in advising them on developing their race equality scheme and related initiatives.

Royal College of Pathologists
MDA conducted an equality and diversity audit and review for the College. The review assessed how far the College reflected best practice and how far it had kept up to date with the extensive new equality legislation. The review was designed to identify any good practice in place, as well as locating any possible gaps, and, as appropriate, making any recommendations for further action. The review examined the Colleges existing policies and practices, we interviewed a selection of key staff and conducted a staff survey.

Shelter
As part of a fundamental review of their approach to diversity and equality, MDA assisted Shelter by carrying out a short audit/review of their approach to diversity and equality competency, particularly in relation to service delivery. This was utilised by Shelter to revise its strategy and approach in this area.

Slough Borough Council
MDA in collaboration with DLA Piper delivered a series of training workshops for senior managers on equality legislation and best practice including the Human Rights Act and the Race Relations Amendment Act.

Solihull Local Authority

Sovereign Housing Group (SHG)
We carried out an extensive audit/review on diversity and equality for this organisation, making recommendations, especially against the Audit Commissions KLOE framework.

Supplier Diversity Europe
We have worked with partners MPG (based in Brussels) in helping to develop this important initiative relating to supplier diversity, and involving a number of major global organisations: see www.migpolgroup.com/forum

Synergy

The Home Office
The Community Cohesion Unit of the Home Office commissioned MDA to develop equality and community cohesion impact assessment tool for Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and other partners to screen their economic development strategies and funding decisions for community cohesion impact. This project involved extensive research, working closely with RDAs to impact assess projects and to develop a bank of good practice case studies.

Threshold Care and Support
MDA provided Threshold with mediation and investigation services to find solutions to equality and diversity issues.

UCL (University of Central London

Ujima Housing Association
MDA developed a set of competences for care and support staff at Ujima. These competencies were developed to ensure the provision of 'culturally relevant' care to a challenging client group.

University of Luton
MDA, with DLA Piper, developed training for the organisation on the background to equality, and the practical application of carrying out equality impact assessments.

Welwyn and Hatfield District Council
Welwyn and Hatfield Council commissioned MDA to carry out a review of progress made by the Council both to comply with its Race Equality duty and to take account of other dimensions of diversity. Following the review, MDA was commissioned to deliver equality and diversity training to all Council employees and Councillors. The programme included full day training for all people managers and half-day awareness training for all other employees. MDA also designed a distance learning training package for use as an induction training tool.

Westminster City Council
We carried out a range of work with the Westminster City Council Planning Department in respect of the development of a Disability Action Plan, and the development of an Equality Scheme which covered all the equality strands within the department.

West Sussex County Council (WSCC)
MDA have been involved in carrying out a project in respect of training. This has involved reviewing training initiatives and approaches taken by other organisations, interviewing staff at WSCC, and developing a training approach for the Council which will be rolled out as part of a diversity and equality approach over the next two years. MDA has also been involved in facilitating consultation on a number of issues around equality and diversity with local communities in the area.

Westway Housing Association
MDA were involved in carrying out a targeted training course relating to diversity and equality with this organisation.

Witness
MDA carried out and audit and review of equality and diversity with this charity, which included looking at the work of the organisation, and how it relates and networks with a variety of different organisations. A number of recommendations were made in terms of Witness building on this area of work and developing a strategic approach for the future.

Worthing MIND
We have carried out diversity and equality training with this organisation.