In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the emphasis on diversity has transitioned from a moral imperative to a strategic necessity. Companies that embrace diversity and inclusion principles not only enhance workplace culture but also boost performance, innovation, and employee satisfaction. Il Sole 24 Ore’s inaugural Leaders in Diversity and Inclusion 2025 highlights the Italian companies leading the way in fostering inclusive and diverse environments. Denominator is proud to be part of this initiative, providing the data that supports the ranking of these forward-thinking organizations.
Key findings and featured companies
The Leaders in Diversity and Inclusion 2025 ranking, presented by Il Sole 24 Ore, underscores the link between diversity policies and corporate performance. For instance, companies that actively promote gender equality often report higher employee satisfaction and operational effectiveness. Similarly, organizations that manage ethnic and cultural diversity effectively tend to experience increased employee engagement and improved financial results.
Some leaders in diversity and inclusion 2025 are also cited as significant case studies by the Guidelines of the D&I Observatory of the UN Global Compact Network Italy, the largest corporate citizenship initiative in the world:
- A2A: Targeting 70% of orders from diversity-compliant suppliers by 2035 (30% by 2025).
- Leroy Merlin: Implementing a comprehensive diversity and inclusion strategy through its Pluralità team.
- Tper: Utilizing gender equality certification as a lever for progress.
- Unicredit: Focusing on EDGE certification for gender equality, setting a global benchmark.
- Also, Edison, Enel, Gruppo FS.
Other companies in the new ranking were also awarded in the Diversity Brand Awards 2025, identified within the Diversity Brand Index. These include:
- IKEA: Awarded for "Quiet Hours," a shopping experience designed for people with neurodivergences, created in collaboration with the National Association of Parents of People with Autism.
- Fastweb: Recognized for producing podcasts and vodcasts on diversity and inclusion.
- Tim: Awarded for the Women Plus app, which supports women in their job search and career paths.
- Ferrovie dello Stato: Recognized for their project to make sales and assistance services accessible to deaf people.
The ranking includes 250 companies recognized for their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Denominator’s objective, fact-based diversity data and Statista's employee perception surveys were key to providing a clear, data-driven view of the diversity landscape in Italy.
Denominator's role in the diversity and inclusion rankings
In our collaboration with Il Sole 24 Ore, Denominator provided the data foundation for the Leaders in Diversity and Inclusion 2025 ranking. By combining our comprehensive datasets with Statista's employee perception surveys, the ranking offers a detailed and balanced view of diversity in Italy’s corporate landscape.
Denominator’s database spans over 15 social dimensions, including gender, race/ethnicity, age, disability, and education levels, across board, executive, and company levels. This depth of data enables stakeholders to evaluate DEI performance at every organizational level, empowering them to make informed, impactful decisions.
Our mission at Denominator is to deliver transparent, standardized, and actionable DEI data. With coverage of over 5 million companies worldwide, across 195 countries and 85 industries, we provide a critical resource for investors, NGOs, governments, and corporations working to advance their DEI strategies.
Our methodology is grounded in extensive research and international standards, ensuring the reliability and comparability of our data. We adapt our models to reflect regional differences, offering insights that are both globally consistent and locally relevant.
Looking ahead
The partnership with Il Sole 24 Ore for the Leaders in Diversity & Inclusion list highlights the growing importance of DEI in business success. As organizations face increasing pressure to build diverse and inclusive environments, the demand for accurate, data-driven insights will continue to grow.
Access the full Il Sole 24 Ore for the Leaders in Diversity & Inclusion:
Featured stories & methodology: Il Sole Leaders in Diversity & Inclusion
Rankings: Leaders in Diversity & Inclusion ranking
Denominator remains committed to leading this charge, equipping organizations with the tools to foster inclusive cultures and sustainable performance. Through transparency and ongoing improvement, we believe businesses can not only meet their diversity goals but also contribute to a fairer, more prosperous world.
