Bristol24/7 Presents: How can we make Bristol's boardrooms more diverse? / diversity
The experts bringing more diversity into Bristol’s workforce
When it comes to diversity and the barriers entering the workforce, Bristol can definitely do better.
The last consensus showed that people from ethnic minorities in Bristol experience greater disadvantage than the national average in education and employment – with Black African people the most disadvantaged.
Specifically for employment, Bristol is ranked 55th highest out of the UK’s 248 districts for employment inequality between White British and Black and Minority Ethnic people.
is needed now More than ever
The stark inequalities for Black and Minority Ethnic people in Bristol’s education and employment mean that we are not seeing diverse leadership across Bristol’s council, businesses or boardrooms.
However, we are also lucky enough to be a city full of people that are demanding change and breaking down these barriers and getting more diversity at the top level of employment.
For the next Bristol24/7 Presents event, we have four amazing panellists that will share just how they’ve been getting more diversity into the city’s workforce and boardrooms.
Kalpna Woolf – CEO, BeOnBoard
Kalpna Woolf, photo courtesy of Kalpna Woolf
BeOnBoard is a programme based in Bristol run by Kalpna Woolf that aims to support businesses and organisations to improve the diversity of their governing bodies and boards.
Following 20 years at the BBC and places on multiple boardrooms, Kalpna found that she was often an anomaly and surrounded by “white, middle-aged, middle-class men”.
BeOnBoard connects a diverse range of board-ready executives and matches them with businesses. In addition, the programme explains the importance and range of benefits of having diverse leadership.
Clayton Planter – Founder and CEO, Street2Boardroom
Clayton founded Street2Boardroom. Photo courtesy of Clayton Planter.
Clayton works with people from the streets, urban neighbourhoods and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Whilst Clayton found himself excelling, he saw his friends getting into trouble with the law and struggling to find employment.
The social entrepreneur founded Street2Boardroom in 2016 to open up opportunities for people from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are being failed by a system that doesn’t allow them to reach their full potential.
Sam Sherlock – Senior Programme Coordinator, Leonard Cheshire
Sam Sherlock is leading the delivery of IDEA for SMEs (Inclusion, Disability, Equality and Action). Photo courtesy of Sam Sherlock.
With over 10 years experience in the disability sector, Sam has provided support to individuals and organisations via employment and training programmes with Leonard Cheshire that ultimately aim to close the disability employment gap.
Supporting organisations to become more inclusive is Sam’s passion. “Having a supportive employer that doesn’t just tolerate your differences but understands and responds to your needs is so important, for both the employee and the employer.”
“With some awareness, good communication and a few small adjustments, my dyslexia and Irlen syndrome are not impediments in the workplace. I’d encourage everyone to help identify and remove barriers wherever possible, especially in the workplace, where we can gain such a sense of achievement and fulfilment”.
Esther Smith – Partner and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion, TLT
Esther Smith. Photo courtesy of TLT.
In addition to her excellent knowledge of equality legislation through her many years as an employment lawyer, Esther is also actively engaged in driving change across the firm through her senior-level influence.
In her time as ED&I Champion, Esther has overseen the appointment of four senior leaders for race and LGBT+ inclusion – two areas she was particularly keen to see TLT accelerate its work on – and is passionate not just about diversifying the senior suite, but giving a platform to the diversity that is already there.
Bristol24/7 Presents: How can we make Bristol’s boardrooms more diverse?
To register and join our free online panel event to discuss how we can make Bristol’s boardrooms more diverse, click here for the Eventbrite page.
Sponsored by TLT, the free panel event featuring experts from across Bristol will take place on November 18 at 2pm.
Main photo: Clayton Plater, Kalpna Woolf, Esther Smith, Sam Sherlock
Read more: How diverse are Bristol’s boardrooms?
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