24th September 2014, London:
African & Caribbean Diversity has been recognised for its leadership in attracting, retaining and progressing the best Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) talent by being Highly Commended for the Developing Talent Award – Attraction at the Race for Opportunity Awards 2014. Race for Opportunity is the race equality campaign from Business in the Community.
The glittering awards ceremony took place last night (23rd September 2014) at the Hilton Park Lane and was attended by over 500 business leaders. The eight awards presented celebrate the public and private sector organisations delivering outstanding practice, dedication and innovation around race equality, diversion and inclusion in the workplace.
African & Caribbean Diversity was Highly Commended for the Developing Talent Award – Attraction, which recognises organisations who have developed processes, initiatives and programmes that aim to help young BAME people to prepare for and enter the UK workforce.
Brenda King, Chief Executive, African & Caribbean Diversity said:
“It’s great to be highly commended for this award, joining giants such as Barclays, Citi, Ernst & Young and the Foreign Office (FCO). We believe in equality of opportunity hence our focus on nurturing the talent of African and Caribbean pupils from state schools into highly selective universities and the professions. We love what we do and are honoured to work with organisations who truly want to attract and develop the best people.”
Adrian Joseph, Director, Customer Solutions & Innovation, Google and Chair, Race for Opportunity, said:
“I’d like to congratulate African & Caribbean Diversity on being Highly Commended for the Developing Talent Award – Attraction. They are demonstrating that it makes good business sense for employers to reflect the clients, customers and communities they serve and ensuring ethnic minority talent has equal opportunities to progress in their organisation.”
Sandra Kerr OBE, Race for Opportunity Director, Business in the Community, said:
“Congratulations to our Developing Talent Award – Attraction Highly Commended organisation, African & Caribbean Diversity. At a time when ethnic minority people aren’t reflected at senior level and barriers to equal progression still exist, it’s hugely uplifting to see they are taking action to change this. Their work shows the positive impact of collaboration within and across organisations in attracting, retaining and progressing BAME talent, and I hope other employers will learn from their example.”
The evening was hosted by Diane Louise Jordan and the main guest speaker was Richard Heaton CB, Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, First Parliamentary Counsel and Race Champion for the Civil Service. Guests also heard from Adrian Joseph, Director, Customer Solutions & Innovation, Google and Chair, Race for Opportunity; Sandra Kerr OBE, Race for Opportunity Director, Business in the Community; and Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community.
