Willis Towers Watson has committed to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) as part of the firm’s local response toward elevating diversity and inclusion.

“Our people genuinely want to educate themselves and become allies for reconciliation,” WA Risk and Broking GM and RAP working group leader Adam Rhodes said.

“To do that, education is key to creating, understanding and acknowledging the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to learn what it means to move forward together.”

The action plan identifies 15 practical actions to drive reconciliation both internally and in the communities in which Willis Towers Watson operates.

The document outlines measures grouped under the headings: relationships, respect, opportunities and governance and Mr Rhodes says accountability and transparency will be delivered through reporting of progress.

The firm has 577 people working from offices in Adelaide, Melbourne Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, with a recent survey showing only two identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.

“We are looking forward to increasing that number significantly through the actions in this RAP,” the document says.

The survey found 90% of respondents agreed it is important to learn about the past events that have impacted and continue to impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, yet only 18% believe their current knowledge of the cultures and histories is good.