Sandra Kerr
“ There is a need for more research and information on what the best organisation ’ s are doing , or need to do , in order to grow diverse talent to senior leadership levels in their organisation .”
INTERVIEW 25
Sandra Kerr
levels in their organisation . There is also a lack of accurate information on the concentrations of diverse communities , particularly their representation within sectors e . g ., construction , media , as well as , for example , definitive statistics on numbers of UK Black , Asian and minority ethnic [ BAME ] owned businesses . It is possible to find this data for London , but almost impossible to build a nationwide picture . The availability of more detailed statistical data would help all bodies working on diversity and inclusion . This project needs to be undertaken . With regard to ethnicity , It is also important not to cluster all ethnic minorities into one group in a ‘ one size fits all ’ approach , since an African woman ’ s experience is going to be different to that of a Pakistani male . So there is still a great deal of scrutiny , discussion and learning ahead .”
Looking forward what do you see as the major challenges for race equality in the UK and for the RfO campaign engage enquired . “ Regarding the bigger UK picture , I would say it is about seeking to foster understanding about different cultures and backgrounds and what that means rather than interpreting behaviour through your own paradigms campaigner on race and one of a small number of black women in this country to have secured a directorship within a leading organisation . Recently included in the ‘ Women of the Year ’ roll call for 2007 engage wanted to know what motivated her everyday . “ I have been brought up with basic Christian beliefs that everyone is created equal and deserves to reach their full potential . I believe in justice , I believe in equality , I believe in empowering and enabling others , I believe that difference is what makes other people interesting ! So why not value it ? I believe that some of the circumstances in life that we were born into can provide additional hurdles and barriers , but that they can be overcome with fairness , opportunity and education . In fact one of the things that I feel very strongly about and want to do what I can to change , is the high volumes of exclusions from school and under achievement of black boys in this country . I think the problem is complex and it is a mixture of class , poverty , housing , parental aspirations , role models as well as trusting the school system to spot talent , nurture it and not stereotype and pigeon hole young BME people . It is critical to our future that no
“ There is a need for more research and information on what the best organisation ’ s are doing , or need to do , in order to grow diverse talent to senior leadership levels in their organisation .”
and your own experiences . This can only be done by listening and engaging with other communities to build that greater understanding and cohesion . The biggest challenge for the RfO campaign is to see our businesses actively nurture , progress and enable people from all different backgrounds to reach some of the senior management levels in their organisation , so too is employing more ethnic minorities in general . The employment gap between White people and Black and Asians people in the UK remains substantial in some instances as high as 15 %. Perhaps the biggest challenge of all is leadership , as without clear committed action on race from the top of the organisation very little will change . And what about Sandra , an active young person is written off prematurely . As part of promoting RfO business commitment to community involvement and corporate social responsibility , we always say , ensure that you are being inclusive , so , for example , if you are mentoring in a school , ensure that there is a diverse range of children who are benefiting from reading or whatever it is you are doing on a voluntary basis , as well as any other community engagement projects . I also strongly think there is a real need for positive role models who are not necessarily celebrities but are just doing a good job !” Sandra added ‘ I think any one you speak to will agree that talking about a challenge is good but collaboration , commitment and action is far better , and that for me sums up RfO .’
For more information on the Race for Opportunity campaign or to become a member
visit www . raceforopportunity . org . uk raceforopportunity . co . uk
ISSUE FIVE 2007 engage | uk