Laura Sharman 28 July 2020

Progress on ethnic diversity at leadership level has stalled, report finds

Ethnic diversity in public sector leadership roles has failed to improve over the past three years, a new report has warned today.

The Colour of Power 2020, published by Green Park, shows that just 4.7% of the most powerful roles are filled by non-white individuals. This is only an improvement of 1.2% - or 15 additional ethnic minority held roles - since the last report in 2017.

The report shows there are only six BAME leaders across 109 London boroughs, metro borough councils and unitary authority councils

However, the number of ethnic minority ministers has doubled between 2017 and 2020 following appointments by the Prime Minister.

Raj Tulsiani, CEO of Green Park said: 'The Colour of Power 2020 demonstrates not only the disparity of power in the UK’s highest echelons, but also the total failure to address it despite three years of government-backed targets and ample institutional rhetoric about commitments to diversity and inclusion.

'Those in entrenched positions of power clearly need access to new perspectives. We need to let go of the myth of an achieved meritocracy and reform our working practices so that they are inclusive from start to finish.'

Half a century in the chamber image

Half a century in the chamber

Cllr Dr James Walsh was elected to Arun District Council in 1975. Here he tells LocalGov what he's learned about trust, transformation and keeping it local.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Group Engineer - Highway Operations

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£48,226 - £53,460
We are looking for a Group Engineer to join our team in the Highways Service Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Learning and Development Digital Advisor

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£32,841 - £39,798 per annum
Job Title
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

School Crossing Patrol

Durham County Council
Grade 1 £3,701 (approx.) £12.85 per hour
Join our School Crossing Patrol Service! Are you punctual and reliable? Do you have good communication skills and a strong sense of community spirit? Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 - £35,412 - £39,152 / Grade 11 - £40,777 - £45,091 (pay award pending)
Make a real difference at the point where people need it most. Join a fast-paced hospital social work team where no two days are the same and your exp Chester Le Street
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Care Support

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 (pay award pending)
We're recruiting to a permanent role within our Pathways Service, which delivers day services to adults with complex needs, Monday to Friday. This is Peterlee
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner