The business leader investigating why black and minority ethnic (BME) people find it more difficult to progress into managerial and senior positions than their white counterparts is calling on people to share their views.
Business secretary Sajid Javid has commissioned Baroness (Ruby) McGregor-Smith, chief executive of Mitie Group, to lead an inquiry into why, across all sectors of British industry, black and minority ethnic (BME) people find it more difficult than their white colleagues to progress into managerial and senior positions.
The call for evidence launched on Tuesday is aimed at people from all BME communities across Great Britain to help Baroness McGregor-Smith understand the obstacles faced by people in the labour market, from recruitment through to executive level.
In April End Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith had organised a roundtable with BME community representatives in order to find what obstacles are preventing the BME community to reach top positions in MNCs, in comparison to their white counterparts.
Baroness Smith, who has been known as the first Asian woman CEO in a FTSE 250 company, believes in a more 'inclusive' policy has never looked at herself as a role model, though now a champion of this role, she wants the stories of extra ordinary people and their journeys to be told. “Show the steps of career progress- there is a story to learn from each”, added Ruby.
She further said, “Right now people of BME backgrounds in the UK do not excel in the workplace at the same rate as their white counterparts.
“We need to understand what the obstacles are that are preventing them to do so, and take strong actions to overcome them.”
Businesses and third sector organisations are also being called upon to take part in the review. To coincide with the launch, Baroness McGregor-Smith is hosting a roundtable event with some of the country’s largest private sector employers.
Business Secretary Sajid Javid said:“Everyone should have the opportunity to get their dream job. That is why I asked Baroness McGregor-Smith to undertake this review and find out why people from BME backgrounds find it more difficult to reach the top.
“I urge everyone who has experience of trying to progress in work to take part in this review. Employers need to back their workforces and I am also calling on them to make sure everybody has a fair chance to succeed.”
Later this year, Baroness McGregor-Smith will publish the findings of her independent review into the obstacles that people from different communities face in the labour market, what impact this has on the economy and employers, and, for the first time, will bring together data that shows the extent of the problem.
The review will also include recommendations to government and business on how BME talent can be fully utilised by employers as well as highlighting best practice from across the public and private sectors.
