03 Feb 2026
Race Equality Week is a time to reflect on and challenge systemic racial inequities, celebrate representation and diversity, and to recognise the everyday actions that help create a workplace where everyone feels they belong.
At Forward, this includes looking at who we are as an organisation, listening to the voices within our workforce, and taking practical steps to show respect for people’s identities.
Forward is supporting the #MyNameIs campaign, created by Race Equality Matters, which aims to:
Encourage people to get names right so individuals feel respected, included and that they belong.
Protect the meaning, heritage and identity behind people’s names.
Research from Race Equality Matters shows that mispronouncing someone’s name can make them feel not valued or important, disrespected, and like they don’t belong. Getting it right can have the opposite effect, helping people feel accepted, comfortable and included.
At Forward, we want to:
Normalise phonetic spelling on email signatures to make it easier for people's names to be pronounced the right way.
Encourage people to ask how they pronounce a name if they're unsure, encouraging conversations about the importance of names.
Listen to some staff members at Forward share their connection to their name in this powerful new video for this year’s Race Equality Week.
Ask the person to pronounce it - and actively listen. Rather than try to say a name you are unfamiliar with, ask the person how to pronounce it.
Don't make it a big deal. Once you have heard the correct pronunciation, thank them and move on. Don’t focus on how unfamiliar you are with their name.
Observe and practise. Make an effort to hear how someone pronounces their name to other people, even if you have heard it before. Check if you are introducing them in a public forum and practice.
Clarify again. If you meet someone again after a while, it’s fine to check how you should pronounce their name.
Do something when you realise you’ve been mispronouncing it. Apologise when you get it wrong, as soon as you realise.
Be an ally. If you hear someone mispronouncing a colleague's name when they are not around, step in and correct them gently.
Don’t be arrogant or flippant. Don’t say “I’ll never get it right,” or not listen when you are corrected.
As part of Race Equality Week, Stephen Anderson, Race Forward ERG Lead, has shared reflections on the significance of names and why getting them right matters:
“A person’s family name carries far more than identification: it holds history, heritage, and identity. It often reflects ancestral origins, occupations, geography, or lineage, connecting an individual to generations who came before them.
“A surname can preserve cultural traditions, migration stories, and even social status, serving as a living link to community and belonging. In many cultures, a family name represents pride, legacy, and continuity, shaping how individuals see themselves and how they are recognised within society.
“Respecting someone’s family name shows cultural awareness, professionalism, and recognition of their identity.”
Curious about how to apply this? Here are five ways Stephen says you can be respectful and understanding when addressing someone’s family name:
Pronounce it correctly – Make the effort to learn the correct pronunciation, and politely ask if you’re unsure rather than guessing or shortening it.
Avoid making jokes or assumptions – Don’t comment negatively or make stereotypes about someone’s surname based on ethnicity, culture, or sound.
Use the preferred form of address – Some people prefer their title and surname (e.g., Mr., Mrs., Dr.), while others prefer first names — follow their lead.
Respect cultural naming traditions – Understand that naming conventions vary globally (double surnames, hyphenated names, patronymics, matronymics, etc.) and avoid imposing your own cultural norms.
Show genuine curiosity respectfully – If appropriate, ask about the meaning or origin of a name with sincere interest, not as an interrogation or novelty.
Race Equality Week is an opportunity to pause, reflect and take action. At Forward, this means recognising the diversity within our workforce, listening to lived experiences of racially minoritised communities, and committing to everyday behaviours that foster respect and belonging. Something as simple as learning to pronounce someone’s name correctly can have a powerful impact. By continuing to learn, listen and act together, we can help build a workplace where everyone feels seen, valued and able to be themselves.
