Leaders join forces to champion diversity and inclusion

A group of established leaders from across the Business, Professional and Financial Services (BPFS) sector have joined forces to create a network to champion diversity and inclusion.

The region is home to one of Europe 's largest and fastest growing BPFS sectors, with around 48,000 companies employing over 358,000 people. BPFS Black Leaders Network aims to promote and encourage best practice across the sector and demonstrate that diverse and inclusive leadership is a true driver for change.

A study by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy underpins BPFS Black Leaders Network 's belief that a diverse workforce is the key to unlocking the sector 's growth.

They estimate that “the potential benefit to the UK economy from full representation of race across the labour market, through improved participation and progression, is estimated to be £24 billion a year, which represents 1.3 per cent of GDP. ”

BPFS Black Leaders Network aims to create a unified voice across the BPFS sector and help establish a peer network for senior leaders to connect, share and grow together.

Founded by Joel Blake, CEO of GFA Exchange and president of the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, BPFS Black Leaders Network is encouraging positive engagement around diversity and inclusion with a six-part webinar series that starts next week.

The first event 'Diversity across the Midlands BPFS sector: Introducing Black Leaders Network ' will take place on 13 May and bring together a panel of founding members of BPFS Black Leaders Network.

Chaired by Joel Blake, the panel will also include Dr Karl George, founder and managing director at The Governance Forum and founder of The Race Equality Code and Yetunde Dania, partner and head of Office at Trowers and Hamlins.

Taking place between now and the end of July, the remaining webinars will include Setting the scene: Why race diversity matters now more than ever before; The Black Gap: the advantages of black leadership; Commercialising Diversity: Is it Taboo?; Cultivating Difference: How to nurture a diverse talent pipeline; and Colour Culture: Leading by Example.

Founder of BPFS Black Leaders Network, Joel Blake (pictured), said: “Having a succinct strategy around how to make racial diversity more effective has huge commercial benefits and can aid innovation within a business. By focusing on practical and actionable solutions, alongside a commitment to diversity across the board, BPFS firms can secure their own future; open up new inclusive talent pipelines, reach out to new customer markets; and establish a leadership style and culture that better suits an inclusive and more modern workforce.

“We hope that everyone, from within BPFS firms and beyond, joins us to engage in these important conversations as we create a safe space for people to celebrate best practice and learn how we become more inclusive together. ”

To find out more and sign up for the BPFS Black Leaders Network webinar series, visit: www.eventnowlive.online