Press Release - 29 November 2006

UK businesses respond to a changing society

Businesses which have embraced the UK's growing ethnic minority workforce were recognised by a Bradford charity at an event at the House of Lords yesterday, sponsored by Bradford & Bingley.

QED-UK, the leading community economic development charity, acknowledged almost 30 businesses which have committed to its innovative Employer Diversity Project. QED teamed up with Jobcentre Plus to deliver the initiative with the overall aim of improving the employment prospects of ethnic minorities in eight designated areas in England and Wales by raising employers' awareness of the business case for diversity.

In total, 250 UK businesses registered on the EDP programme. 80 of these businesses, employing almost 35,000 employees across the Midlands, Yorkshire, North West, North East and Wales, have already benefited from this initiative. At the event, Lord Ahmed of Rotherham acknowledged 27 companies, employing more than 18,000 people, which have committed to implementing diversity action plans. Three of these companies received special certificates for the best practice they have shown putting their plan into action.

The organisations recognised included the Family Welfare Association, the British Red Cross Society, the Shaw Trust, Bombay Stores in Bradford and UnLtd, the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs.

Vaseem Kader of Bombay Stores (second left) receives his award from Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, QED chief executive Dr Mohammed Ali OBE and Gerry Sutcliffe MP.

QED-UK Chief Executive Dr Mohammed Ali OBE highlights the benefits of adopting a diversity strategy: He said: "With an increasingly diverse society, it is predicted that in the next decade over half the growth in the working age population will come from ethnic minorities. As well as showing a commitment to your community, recruiting a diverse workforce has been proved to be more innovative and productive and, in turn, enhances a company's image as modern and forward thinking. It also opens up a much larger and more diverse marketplace for a company to promote their products and services to."

Companies of all sizes are increasingly expected to play a part in their local community, as part of their social responsibility, and are judged by customers and potential recruits on their performance. Bradford & Bingley has been working with QED for ten years now and believe it is important to recognise companies who are committed to diversity within their business. Steven Crawshaw, chief executive of Bradford & Bingley spoke at the House of Lords event and said: "I am delighted that 27 more companies this year have publicly signed up to incorporate diversity in their business. QED has enabled Bradford & Bingley to reach into new communities to recruit staff and customers and I hope other businesses will learn the benefits of working with QED."

It is not just large UK corporations who have recognised the benefits of a diverse workforce. The Aldbourne Nursing Home in Wiltshire and Oldham-based Madeleine Lindley Ltd are just two of the smaller organisations who have committed to an Employer Diversity action plan with QED.

Guy Montezuma, General Manager of the Aldbourne Nursing Home in Wiltshire explains how QED's diversity strategy has helped them. He said: "We have worked on diversity issues for more than eight years, focusing on creating a diverse work culture and encouraging people from all backgrounds to apply to work with us. I manage a team of 40, with 50% of the employees coming from more than 12 different countries. We have also employed more male carers since adopting the strategy, despite the industry being traditionally female-led."

Complying with the Race Relations Act is another consideration for UK businesses. Dr Ali continued: "Legislation in the race area means that all public sector organisations will require their suppliers to be able to demonstrate active diversity policies and practices and to promote race equality. If more businesses commit to initiatives such as the Employer Diversity Project, UK businesses can begin to reflect the changing face of our society."

Lesley Strathie, Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, said: "We were pleased to work with QED on the Employer Diversity Project. The project, to promote the business benefits of diversity, gave employers an excellent opportunity to consider their equality practices and to broaden the diversity of their workforce."

Lord Ahmed is pleased to be supporting QED's work. He said: "QED has made a huge difference to the economic, social and political development of ethnic minorities in West Yorkshire and beyond. The organisation continues to strive for integrated community cohesion and to empower the less privileged citizens of this country."

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