Nearly all large employers in East Anglia say they recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce (95%) but just 55% offered mandatory diversity training, research has found.

The study, by YouGov on behalf of accountancy firm RSM, found 69% of respondents felt their business was diverse in terms of gender, 63% in terms of ethnicity and 59% in terms of sexual orientation.

Emily Robinson, senior HR consultant at RSM Employer Services, said there was a clear connection between diversity and business commerciality. She said: 'Put simply, organisations that embed inclusive cultures are more likely to make better decisions, achieve higher returns and enjoy a more successful recruitment process. The issue of diversity is right at the forefront of the minds of millennials and the incoming generation Z in particular. Address the issue well, and companies will gain a significant competitive edge.'