How did you become a EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Lead?

1. How has your role come into being? When was it created?
My role was recently created in the last few months - I think there were a few contributing factors. I am the chair of our staff network group for LGBT colleagues and we were trying to re-establish the group. I asked for support within organisation as I couldn’t manage to do all that needed. A short time later we got a new Executive Director of People. It was discussed with her and she felt that a role was needed where EDI was their focus.

2. Why are diversity issues so important in your organisation now?
It’s always been really important. It’s ingrained in our history: we were established by Lady Molly Huggins to address the issues of social housing for immigrants from the West Indies.

3. What’s the one thing that you’re working on in this area which really excites you?
All of it really, we’re just starting a programme, Black on Board, in conjunction with Olmec. Black on Board is a programme for all BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) colleagues to enable them to take up board positions through training and mentoring. Through the programme, BAME colleagues will be offered training to help them become an effective board member in the future. Participants will gain plenty of transferable professional skills, along with the confidence to operate at board level in any type of organisation. Candidates don’t need any previous experience, just the desire to be a member of a board and the ability to communicate effectively, make decisions and work as a member of a team.