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Report is commissioned by the North West Business Leadership Team to help the development of inclusive workplaces across our region
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Written and Developed by Professor Lilian Otaye-Ebede PHD (Professor in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour) with support from Dr. Samah Shaffakat both from The University of Liverpool Management School
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Focuses on collating effective good practice examples of initiatives that promote race representation and inclusion in organisations
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Officially launches at the ‘Empowered to Lead’ event in Manchester on Saturday 28 October
The North West Business Leadership Team has launched a new diversity report titled ‘Promoting Race Representation and Culture Change’ that is set to act as an effective ED&I resource for the region’s workplaces.
The new report has been written and developed by Professor Lilian Otaye-Ebede PHD (Professor in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour) with support from Dr. Samah Shaffakat both at The University of Liverpool Management School, University of Liverpool, and is filled with effective, working examples of race-related ED&I initiatives from large to small and medium sized organisations for local businesses to take inspiration from.
While progress has been made in this area by many of the region’s businesses, the report’s findings show that there is still much more to do to improve equality, particularly within leadership roles. This is a UK-wide issue, ONS figures state that just 4.6% of UK leadership roles are held by people of black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds*.
Professor Lilian Otaye-Ebede commented:
’Recent figures show that very little progress has been made in changing the racial representation of the UK workforce across all levels, but predominantly within senior leadership. More worrying is the heart-breaking experiences of racial discrimination reported by individuals and how these have negatively impacted on their sense of selves, progression, retention, health and wellbeing.’
The report will be officially launched and announced at ‘Empowered to Lead’ in Manchester on Saturday 28th October at The Stoller Hall. Empowered to Lead is an event rooted in driving workplace diversity, and it is founded by NWBLT’s Diversity Drivers co-chair, Sharon Amesu.
In the Foreword of the report, Sharon comments:
‘It is evident from the findings of the report that some progress has been made and that this is ongoing. I’m delighted that the members of the North West Business Leadership Team have demonstrated our steadfast commitment to leaning into this conversation.
‘Professor Lilian Otaye-Ebede from the University of Liverpool has demonstrated exemplary dedication and expertise in conducting extensive research, to provide a comprehensive and thought-provoking analysis. The outstanding work has unveiled the challenges faced in achieving racial diversity while showcasing the immense potential for growth and success through inclusive practices.’
The report’s insights gathered through extensive workplace and desk research and findings cover several areas including Staffing and Governance, Recruitment and Selection, Training and Education, Progression and Promotion, and Race-Inclusive Culture and Climate.
Effective examples are provided from major and multi-national firms including PWC, Lloyds and IBM, aiming to guide, inspire and inform local businesses around how to grow and develop long term strategies to increase racial representation across all levels and to drive race-related diversity, equality and inclusion in the region’s workplaces.
The report is available to all and can be downloaded via the North West Business Leadership Team’s website here.