FTSE 100 companies still failing to increase ethnic diversity leadership: Britain’s top businesses must do more than just talk about change
News 17th July 2019 2 minutes read
2019 BAME 100 Business Leaders report to be launched at Somerset House
It’s official – Green Park’s 2019 black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) 100 Business Leaders list will be launched at Somerset House. The date is set for 11th September and the event will connect with its landmark exhibition, Get Up, Stand Up Now, celebrating the past 50 years of Black creativity in Britain and beyond.
Green Park is delighted to be associated with this celebration as an Exhibition Catalyst. Our Chair and the co-author of “Windrush: The Irresistible Rise of Multi-Racial Britain”, Trevor Phillips OBE, joins 2018 BAME leader, Baroness Valerie Amos, Director of SOAS, and last year’s BAME 100 judge, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, the Lord-Lieutenant of Great London, as exhibition Ambassadors. Together, they’re supporting efforts to frame the future through the past, alongside artists and agitators who’ve been brave enough to challenge the status quo.
Holding extraordinary talent up for all to see
The BAME 100 Business Leaders list is designed to showcase some of the country’s talented and successful ethnic minority business leaders who are chronically underrepresented in most of Britain’s biggest organisations across the Private, Public and Third sectors.
Green Park’s research has found a distinct lack of an ethnic minority representation in senior leadership positions, as black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) professionals still face a number of challenges and barriers in and out of the workplace.
Shattering outdated perceptions and practices
Our diversity pledge is to break down these barriers and spread the word that the talent is out there through this very real list of extraordinary, authentic and distinguished BAME leaders, in the hope other corporations follow suit.
In many ways, the messages that spring from Get Up Stand Up Now are echoed by the launch of the BAME 100 list, and are as pertinent now as ever Director of Somerset House, Jonathan Reekie [, commented
“With over 100 artists from the post-war era to the present day, Get Up, Stand Up Now shows how each generation can stand on the shoulders of their predecessors and achieve even greater heights. The exhibition is loud, proud and unbowed, and we hope that it will inspire future creative professionals.
Similarly, it’s critical to celebrate the business leaders of today; their influence cannot be underestimated in instilling the belief of the next generation that they too can continue to break down barriers.”
The people re-defining the world of leadership
In the run up to the big day, we decided to find out more about some of our 2018 leaders – and why they were a natural choice for our list. In a new series of fascinating films, we meet three exceptional people, hear their stories and explore their remarkable achievements and expertise.
The films are set to be released in the coming weeks – stay tuned to our blog for an exclusive insight into three outstanding BAME leaders.
