Asian Voice’s annual Be the Change, Diversity and Inclusion event in association with the Royal Air Force took place on April 27 at the Terrace Pavilion House of Commons. The event takes on special significance as Gujarat Samachar marks 50 years of publishing and five decades of campaigning for several key social issues, including diversity and inclusion.
The Host of the evening was Seema Malhotra who has been an MP for Feltham and Heston since 2011. Honorary Air Commodore Veronica Pickering DL spoke on behalf of the Royal Air Force. She has worked in the public sector for almost 30 years and is the Honorary Air Commodore to 504 (County of Nottingham) and Deputy Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire.
Sharing some insights with the audience and panellists, Seema stated, that the percentage of the population from diverse ethnic groups is projected to rise from 15% in 2019 to 21%, in 2026, and 30%, in 2051. Research from CMI shows that there are 100,000 missing managers, again, in the workplace from diverse ethnic backgrounds. “Also, the UK has 420,000 managers from lower socio-economic backgrounds that are missing,” Seema added.
The panel discussion at the event was moderated by Anita Goyal MBE, Chair and Trustee of The Hemraj Goyal Foundation, and the Hallmark Foundation. The panellists were Dr Zubaida Haque, Dr Amit Patel and Krishna Omkar.
Krishna Omkar, a corporate lawyer by training, is the founder of Return on Equity, and is at the forefront of bridging the worlds of the private sector and civil society. He counsels boards of directors, C-suite executives and corporations on creating equitable outcomes and long-term sustainable growth. Krishna, while acknowledging that the UK has come a long way in ensuring that members of the LGBT+ community enjoy equal rights, lamented that in most parts of the world, much needs to be done. A corporate lawyer by training with over a decade of experience, Krishna has advised on matters spanning more than 60 jurisdictions and over US$200 billion in value. “I think one thing that we have to do is to shift the conversation to how we can actually change the injustice and define the rights of the LGBTQ+ community,” Omkar said.
Dr Zubaida Haque the former Executive Director of The Equality Trust, former interim CEO and Deputy Director of The Runnymede Trust said, “Diversity and inclusion isn’t just about what you do inside. It's not just about what you do behind closed doors. It's also about the message that you send to the world outside. It's about ensuring trust among members of diverse backgrounds and them having the confidence to say that they belong.” Zubaida has extensive senior management experience in the equality, anti-racism, inclusion and social justice sectors. She has experience of working in several government departments, think tanks, Universities, national Commissions and the voluntary sector.
Dr Amit Patel is a best-selling author, TV presenter, diversity, equity and inclusion consultant, motivational speaker, disability rights campaigner and charity Trustee. He specialises in emergency medicine. He is registered as severely sight impaired (blind) since 2013. Amit was matched to Kika, his first guide dog in 2015. Kika was the inspiration for Amit to write his book called ‘Kika& Me’ which was published by Pan Macmillan in 2020. He said, “I don't want to be someone who just ticks the box, I want to make change happen. Disabled people can't live on benefits. The cost of benefits is more for a disabled person. I think it's something like £550 more than an enabled person just to do their everyday jobs and tasks. And that isn't paid by benefits. We all have the ambition to work, go into a mainstream school with a disability and come out with a top-class degree. But yet an employee will insisit on seeing your disability policy affinity and that's where we need to change things.”
CB Patel Chairman ABPL delivered the vote of thanks.
Rupanjana Dutta, Managing Editor, Asian Voice hosted the event.
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Should I join the RAF?I'd say try it
Hon Air Commodore Veronica Moraa Pickering addressed the audience on behalf of the Royal Air Force. Talking about her early association with the RAF she said, “Initially I didn't think it was as diverse as it could be. It worried me. Later I met with the RAF’s Ethnic Minority Network and its diverse personnel. There were so many people of colour, I honestly was amazed and surprised”.
“The more I met them, the prouder I felt that I belong to something that actually was much better than I perceived”.
“So, I have to say to all of you that are still thinking ‘should I join the RAF? I'd say, try it.”
Veronica Moraa Pickering was born in Kenya and moved to Kent, England with her parents in the late 1960’s. She has worked in the public sector for almost 30 years and is Honorary Air Commodore to 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron RAuxAF (appointed September 2018) and Deputy Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire (appointed May 2013). In 2022 she was awarded the title of Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) by his excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya. Veronica is the first black woman to be appointed as High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire (installed 30 March 2023).
Veronica is an experienced and qualified Executive Coach and Mentor and is a member and Senior Practitioner of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). Diversity, equality and inclusion (DE&I) are integral to Veronica’s being and are close to the core of all her work, including throughout her coaching practice. Veronica acts as a DE&I advisor and a support for organisations such as the RAF and the RSPB – she is also the DE&I Chair for Nottinghamshire Lieutenancy and hosts ‘Black Women Talking’, an online support group for women of colour in senior leadership roles.
Veronica is committed to uniting people and organisations with the aim of making a positive difference to lives and communities in the UK and in her birthplace of Kenya. She is passionate about her professional work facilitating partnerships and relationships between UK investors and Kenya.
Veronica has a keen personal interest in the arts and nature and is a lifelong campaigner for diversity, young people, the arts and wildlife conservation. She is an RSPB Council Member and Visiting Professor at Lincoln International Business School. She is also an Ambassador/Trustee for a number of Nottinghamshire charities and organisations.
Ambassador
• The Woodland Trust
• UK RAF Museums
• Backlit Studios
Trustee
• RSPB
• Nottinghamshire YMCA (Robin Hood Group)
• Worksop Priory Gatehouse Trust
