Highlighted principle Building DEI into business models from the start-up stage, despite disproportionate up-front investment in early life of the company. Initiative context and objective Suade Labs, a regulatory technology provider for financial institutions, introduced comprehensive parental leave policies within two years of its incorporation, as part of its commitment to gender equity and work-life balance. The company offers up to 12 months of maternity leave, with the first four months fully paid, and provides flexibility for employees to split their leave into multiple periods if they choose. For paternity leave, Suade Labs offers up to six months, with the first two months fully paid. Implementing these enhanced parental leave policies presents significant financial challenges for a technology company in its early stages, as was the case for Suade Labs. However, the company believes the long-term benefits – such as improved employee satisfaction, increased productivity and stronger talent retention and attraction – make it a worthwhile investment. Highlight in practice Suade Labs launched its parental leave policies after benchmarking best practices and gathering employee feedback through surveys and focus groups – pioneering implementation for the start-up/ scale-up stage. To keep employees informed, the company communicates these policies via the handbook, intranet and informational sessions, and provides manager training to foster a supportive culture. The parental leave policies are also accompanied by programmes supporting smooth transitions back to work, such as flexible hours and remote options. The CEO, Chief of Staff and Head of HR oversee the policies, with quarterly progress updates provided to the board. Since the 2016 launch, utilization rates of parental leave among eligible employees have grown from 30% to 85%, with job satisfaction rising 30%. Women now comprise 40% of senior leadership, double the industry average. Suade Labs also advocates for government-supported parental leave and childcare, working with the UK government to promote these initiatives. Suade Labs Internal effort Enhanced statutory parental leave entitlements with flexible leave options Gender equity and work-life balance 38 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lighthouses 2025

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Lighthouses 2025