## People
Mulberry started life as a family business in Somerset in 1971, and the feeling of a community working together is still at the heart of our business.
### Mulberry started life as a family business in Somerset
* The Willows, our factory in Bridgwater, Somerset was built in 2013 in conjunction with government funding to address unemployment in the area.
* We believe in driving a positive culture through the philosophy of our Employee Values: Be Open, Be Bold, Be Imaginative, Be Responsible.
* We provide equal opportunities for promotion and progression.
* We are working to close our gender pay gap.
* We ensure an inclusive environment that which embraces diversity.
* We have a high degree of diversity across our teams, with a wide range of background, nationalities and ages employed across our office around the globe.
* We inspire our workforce of the future and provide opportunities to the next generation of talent.
### Apprenticeship program launched in 2006
* In 2006 we took on our first apprentices through a government-approved Leather Goods Manufacturing qualification in partnership with Bridgwater & Taunton College.
* Since then many apprentices have completed the Leather Goods Manufacturing qualification, with many of them progressing into new roles across the business such as product development, planning and market support.