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Diversity in top jobs will benefit the whole of society Diversity in top jobs will benefit the whole of society
(3 days later)
A traditional approach to nurturing talent is needed for a modern workforce. For far too long, executive positions in both the private and public sectors have been the preserve of white males.A traditional approach to nurturing talent is needed for a modern workforce. For far too long, executive positions in both the private and public sectors have been the preserve of white males.
I therefore welcome the inter-ventions by Sir Peter Fahy, who leads the Greater Manchester Police, and business secretary Vince Cable that we need greater diversity in important positions across the country. Sir Peter's call becomes more urgent when you consider that only six chief officers in the police are from non-white backgrounds. When writing to the seven FTSE 100 companies that still do not even have a woman on their board, Dr Cable made it clear that people from different backgrounds bring with them fresh perspectives.I therefore welcome the inter-ventions by Sir Peter Fahy, who leads the Greater Manchester Police, and business secretary Vince Cable that we need greater diversity in important positions across the country. Sir Peter's call becomes more urgent when you consider that only six chief officers in the police are from non-white backgrounds. When writing to the seven FTSE 100 companies that still do not even have a woman on their board, Dr Cable made it clear that people from different backgrounds bring with them fresh perspectives.
A lot has changed in the 20 years since my son, Stephen, was murdered but a lot more needs to happen. The UK will only reach its full potential when everyone, irrespective of their background, truly believes that they can make it. The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust is working hard to bring about this change.A lot has changed in the 20 years since my son, Stephen, was murdered but a lot more needs to happen. The UK will only reach its full potential when everyone, irrespective of their background, truly believes that they can make it. The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust is working hard to bring about this change.
The evidence shows there is still not enough diversity in senior roles. Research has found that even those people from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds who manage to get jobs in professional occupations can often struggle to progress up the career ladder despite suitable qualification and experience. In 2010, only 4.1% of directors in FTSE 100 companies came from ethnic minority backgrounds. Statistics show that black university graduates can expect a 24% pay penalty after they leave university.The evidence shows there is still not enough diversity in senior roles. Research has found that even those people from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds who manage to get jobs in professional occupations can often struggle to progress up the career ladder despite suitable qualification and experience. In 2010, only 4.1% of directors in FTSE 100 companies came from ethnic minority backgrounds. Statistics show that black university graduates can expect a 24% pay penalty after they leave university.
This is not only a British problem. In the US, only 13 black executives have ever made it to the top of a Fortune 500 company. Only six of them are currently active.This is not only a British problem. In the US, only 13 black executives have ever made it to the top of a Fortune 500 company. Only six of them are currently active.
While we welcome Sir Peter's understanding that it is important to have more officers from ethnic minority backgrounds, we have found that the vast majority of black people do not want affirmative action. They, and other ethnic minorities, want to work in environments where they are assessed on their merit, rather than having people believe they only secured their jobs because of the colour of their skin.While we welcome Sir Peter's understanding that it is important to have more officers from ethnic minority backgrounds, we have found that the vast majority of black people do not want affirmative action. They, and other ethnic minorities, want to work in environments where they are assessed on their merit, rather than having people believe they only secured their jobs because of the colour of their skin.
We need to examine what gets in the way when people try to succeed on their own merits but are not as successful as they would have hoped or their paper qualifications would suggest. They may not have the confidence to believe they can do a role. They may not even aspire to a specific profession in the first place. They might be the first person they know to have "made it", which means they will not have the in-built network that their peers may have grown up with. And sometimes they will look at an industry, not see anyone in it who looks like them, and decide to walk away from it.We need to examine what gets in the way when people try to succeed on their own merits but are not as successful as they would have hoped or their paper qualifications would suggest. They may not have the confidence to believe they can do a role. They may not even aspire to a specific profession in the first place. They might be the first person they know to have "made it", which means they will not have the in-built network that their peers may have grown up with. And sometimes they will look at an industry, not see anyone in it who looks like them, and decide to walk away from it.
It is not just about getting into a job in the first place. It is also about how people are supported to stay and progress. I have had plenty of people tell me how difficult and excluding they found the culture of their workplace. They have told me that they felt overlooked for promotion and worked extra hard to get to where they are.It is not just about getting into a job in the first place. It is also about how people are supported to stay and progress. I have had plenty of people tell me how difficult and excluding they found the culture of their workplace. They have told me that they felt overlooked for promotion and worked extra hard to get to where they are.
This situation is far from satisfactory, but we can change it. Historically, the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust has focused on supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into careers in architecture; this was what Stephen hoped to achieve, so it seemed like a natural starting point. We now plan to expand this model in order to support talented and driven young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into other professions, too, including law, finance, medicine and media. The "Magic Circle" law firm Freshfields is to be the first major employer to partner with us. Our approach will involve supporting young people at the beginning of their career with a scholarship: establishing a lasting relationship that will mean there is a rich talent pool of candidates for top jobs long term.This situation is far from satisfactory, but we can change it. Historically, the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust has focused on supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into careers in architecture; this was what Stephen hoped to achieve, so it seemed like a natural starting point. We now plan to expand this model in order to support talented and driven young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into other professions, too, including law, finance, medicine and media. The "Magic Circle" law firm Freshfields is to be the first major employer to partner with us. Our approach will involve supporting young people at the beginning of their career with a scholarship: establishing a lasting relationship that will mean there is a rich talent pool of candidates for top jobs long term.
The trust is also developing a consultancy offer to provide businesses with practical strategies to build a diverse and more inclusive workforce.The trust is also developing a consultancy offer to provide businesses with practical strategies to build a diverse and more inclusive workforce.
Some senior figures pointed out that encouraging diversity has important benefits. It is in everyone's interests to make it happen.Some senior figures pointed out that encouraging diversity has important benefits. It is in everyone's interests to make it happen.
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