Client:
AS Ķekava Foods
Industry:
Food production
Our role:
Development and implementation of the DEIB training program
Background and context
From May to June 2025 PwC Latvia organised a training programme for Ķekava Foods, one of the largest poultry product manufacturers in Latvia, to strengthen the understanding of lower and mid-level managers about diversity management and the importance of an inclusive work environment for the company’s development.
The programme aimed to provide in-depth knowledge of the key aspects of implementing, developing, and recognising the significance of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) practices, identifying how DEIB principles can become everyday management tools that foster team collaboration and sustainable organisational growth.
The training was led by Agnese Cimdiņa, PwC Head of Pan-Baltic Diversity and Inclusion Practice, who used her expertise as a Doctor of Social Anthropology and certified diversity specialist to design a customised training programme, based on internationally recognised diversity standards.
Key project activities
The training was organised for three groups of managers to ensure an individualised learning approach, encourage active participant engagement, and allow full participation in discussions and practical tasks. The main elements of the project included:
- Development and adaptation of training content to Ķekava Foods’ operational specifics, with particular attention to the daily realities of lower and mid-level managers - production teams and line managers.
- Delivery of a three-module programme combining theory with practical tasks, discussions, and real-life examples in the following modules:
- DEIB fundamentals - diversity competence as the basis for effective leadership;
- My diversity competence - a practical workshop to strengthen the manager’s individual role in implementing DEIB principles within the team;
- Human resource management through the DEIB lens - the impact of diversity approaches on HR processes.
Each group had a total training duration of 7 astronomical hours across the three modules, while the overall in-person training time for all groups was 21 astronomical hours.
Result
During the training, Ķekava Foods managers gained a deeper understanding of DEIB principles and their importance in team leadership. Theoretical insights were complemented by practical examples from international practice, identifying how diversity competence strengthens employee trust, promotes open conversations, and enhances team loyalty in changing circumstances.
Participants carried out self-assessments using various tools that helped them recognise their role as managers in creating an inclusive environment within the company. In the training, managers also discussed how diversity management influences recruitment, team motivation, and acceptance of change. Risks arising from the lack of diversity management were also identified, and managers were offered solutions to mitigate these risks.
Overall, the training will support Ķekava Foods’ continued work with DEIB and help create a work environment where diversity is leveraged as an advantage for organisational growth.
Contact us
PhD, Head of the Diversity and Inclusion practice in the Baltics, People & Organisation Manager, PwC Latvia
