The chief executives of the G15, the group of London’s largest housing associations, have signed a pledge to encourage more diversity in the boardroom and at senior level.
The pledge on black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) diversity commits each of its signatories to try to reflect the ethnic diversity of the communities they work in at their organisations, particularly at senior managerial, leadership and board levels.
This will mean targeted recruitment initiatives to attract talented BAME applicants and the removal of unconscious bias from the recruitment process, as well as the publication of diversity data from each involved organisation and the launching of a G15 Management and Leadership Academy that will invest in and support existing staff.
A ‘talent roster’ for BAME colleagues will also be developed, accompanied by a plan for the career progression of each involved individual, and the success of BAME individuals at each organisation will be recognised annually.
Each signatory will also seek out a ‘reverse mentor’ who will help them to develop their own understanding of the disadvantages faced by minorities, and ultimately allow them to remove these disadvantages in their organisations.
Helen Evans, chief executive of Network Homes and Chair of the G15, said: “Given that only one of my fellow 12 G15 chief executives is of BAME heritage, the importance of this pledge is obvious to me. I’m delighted to be part of such a big step in the right direction and look forward to seeing how each of our organisations will be enriched by the increase in diversity that we hope this pledge will bring.”
Geeta Nande OBE, chief executive of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, added: “The G15 diversity pledge will support members to achieve our shared ambition to promote inclusion and harness a greater variety of strengths, skills, and perspectives.”
“As a collective of London’s largest housing associations, it is important that we lead the way; investing in the BAME talent within our organisations and using the targets set out in the pledge as an effective way of promoting race equality in the sector, and society, as a whole.
“It is critical that our sector reflects – at every level of seniority – the diversity of the customers they serve, and the communities in which they work. Until we do this we will not be credible”
The full list of signatories is:
- Helen Evans, Network Homes
- Darrell Mercer, A2Dominion
- David Montague, L&Q
- Brendan Sarsfield, Peabody
- Geeta Nanda OBE, Metropolitan Thames Valley
- Kate Davies, Notting Hill Genesis
- Ian McDermott, Catalyst Housing
- Clare Miller, Clarion Housing Group
- Peter Denton, Hyde Housing
- Richard Hill, One Housing
- Alan Townshend, Southern Housing Group
- Paul Hackett, Optivo.