This year we’re delighted to be hosting a fringe event on diversity in business at the Labour and Conservative party conferences.
Black and ethnic minority businesses make important contributions to the UK economy, contributing an estimated £25-32 billion per year and helping to regenerate declining sectors and places. These businesses act as catalysts for multinational trading links and help to integrate new migrants. A lack of supportive diversity policy and practice is hindering economic and social inclusion.
A major report on leadership diversity in the West Midlands led by the University of Birmingham has identified a number of recommendations to address the leadership diversity gap within businesses. As a result diversity strategy, operations and workplace practices have improved at both a local and national scale.
To address the urgent need for change, our panels at the Labour and Conservative party conferences will discuss how we can drive diversity and inclusion in business and shape diversity policy to make a real difference.
Event details
Labour Party (Monday 23 September, 10am to 11am)
Speakers include:
- Chair: Professor Kiran Trehan, Professor of Leadership and Enterprise Development, University of Birmingham
- Naz Shah MP, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities
- Carys Roberts, Chief Economist and Head of the Centre for Economic Justice, IPPR
- Nan Sloane, Author of The Women In the Room: Labour’s Forgotten History
- Salma Yaqoob, Political activist, commentator and broadcaster
Conservative Party (Tuesday 1 October, 3pm to 4.30pm)
Speakers include:
- Chair: Professor Kiran Trehan, Professor of Leadership and Enterprise Development, University of Birmingham
- Virginia Crosbie, Director of Women2Win
- Helen Whately, MP (invited)
- Meera Sonecha, Policy Advisor to Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands
- Simone Roche, CEO and Founder of Northern Power Women