We have lots of activities planned for this year’s Black History Month, focused on 2023’s theme of honouring and empowering Black women past and present, often regarded as the unsung heroes of history. We will be spotlighting the accomplishments of the Black women leaders who are our colleagues, clients and candidates to help magnify their voices and confront the systems that marginalises them, a commitment we support 365 days of the year.
We are delighted that our Race, Women’s and LGBTQ+ Affinity Groups are working together to organise engaging activities for our colleagues that aim to facilitate intersectional discussions such as spotlighting stories of Trans people of colour as well as taking part in our BHM film club and webinars discussing critical themes.
Public service is our business and promoting diversity and equality through more representative leadership has always been part of our DNA. We champion all under-represented groups and since 2020, we have placed over 100 Black, Asian and other minority ethnic leaders in senior Executive and Non-Executive roles (16%* of all appointees) and women make up 51%* of our senior appointments. Our successes include:
- Achieving 35% females across the Senior Leadership Team within a sector where females make up less than 10% of all management.
- Within our Health Practice, we appointed a Black Chief Executive of an NHS FT and two Medical Directors and a Deputy Chief Executive from ethnic minorities.
- Placed 6 Black and ethnically diverse CEOs in 2020 along with 25 Director roles spanning each major sector.
- Within our Community Protection and Defence Practice, in a profession that is 96% male and largely white, we placed a Black and minority ethnic woman as the inaugural Chair of the Transformation Programme and Audit Committee and London Fire Brigade, along with three further consecutive diverse placements within the Police and Fire service.
We look forward to celebrating Black History Month throughout October, but we look forward even more to hearing the voices of Black women leaders and the communities they represent in the months and years to come.