Change the Race Ratio campaign reaches 100 signatories

11 Jan 2022 12:37 PM

Campaign aimed at increasing racial and ethnic participation in business reaches milestone

Momentum continues to build around Change the Race Ratio – a campaign aimed at increasing racial and ethnic participation in business – with a total of 100 firms now signed up since the campaign launched on 1st October 2020.

Latest campaign signatories include BAE Systems, Bolton Associates, Britvic, First Group PLC, JLL, Mace Group, Miles Advisory, Paysafe and Sage.

Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL, CBI President, said:

"We can and must vastly improve racial and ethnic diversity in business. Not only is it a vital step towards giving more people the chance to succeed and making society more inclusive; the business case is also crystal clear. Diverse companies perform better on every metric.

"I’m incredibly proud to reach the milestone of 100 companies signed-up to our campaign commitments. We have been overwhelmed with interest since Change the Race Ratio launched.

"All firms have a role to play in shifting the dial on diversity in business and that’s ensuring talent from all walks of life can thrive in the workplace."

Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems plc, Chief Executive, said:

"We are very proud to support the Change the Race Ratio campaign in helping to bring greater ethnic diversity to British businesses. We believe that developing an inclusive, diverse workplace where everyone contributes their unique experiences and insights will help drive innovation and future success for business.''

Stephanie Hyde, UK Chief Executive at JLL, said:

"Like many businesses we are working towards a more diverse and inclusive culture and making this latest commitment to Change the Ratio is central to this. Ultimately, we want JLL to be a place where people feel like they belong and thrive, and that all individual differences are valued."

As signatories of Change the Race Ratio, companies make the following four Commitments to Change:

1. Increase racial and ethnic diversity among Board members. Take action to set targets, aligned to Parker Review, achieving:

• FTSE 100 – At least one racially or ethnically diverse Board member by end 2021.
• FTSE 250 – At least one racially or ethnically diverse Board member by 2024.

2. Increase racial and ethnic diversity in senior leadership

• Take action at ExCo and ExCo minus one to set clear and stretching targets and publish them within 12 months of making this commitment.
• In addition, aim to establish a separate target for black participation at both levels.

3. Be transparent on actions

• Publish a clear action plan to achieve the targets and share progress in the Annual Report or on the company website.
• In addition, disclose ethnicity pay gaps within 2 years of joining.

4. Create an inclusive culture in which talent from all diversities can thrive

• Focusing on recruitment and talent development processes to drive a more diverse pipeline; data collection and analysis; fostering safe, open and transparent dialogue, with mentoring, support and sponsorship; and working with a more diverse set of suppliers and partners, including minority owned businesses.