Addressing barriers to race equality in the workplace is important – not least because it can increase the talent pool whilst also improving the culture within an organisation.

And Race Equality Week, which takes place on 3-9 February, presents an ideal opportunity for businesses to consider how it deals with diversity and inclusion.

Ensuring an organisation is inclusive as far as possible at all levels is crucial if it is to make the best of the talents existing within a workforce.

Race Equality Week aims to continue the momentum towards equality by uniting thousands of organisations around the world to seriously consider how change can be accelerated.

This year’s theme is “Every Action Counts” which is aimed at galvanising participants into resolving to drive ahead with positive and meaningful changes.

Current research shows that just 40% of people involved in promoting race equality believe that their organisations are committed to action and change and not just words.

While 64% of senior managers say they are tackling the issue, only 46% of people overseeing those policies say that management is making an impact on race equality.

Hiring a UK expert speaker in race equality from Champions Speakers is a great way to to get ahead of the curve by leaving an impression that can have a lasting resonance within a workforce.

Jack Hayes, founder and director of Champions Speakers, said: “Our experts are world-class leaders in the fields and have incredible stories to relate which will inspire people into action.

“Race equality is one of the areas where it’s said that words count more than actions, but our speakers can breathe real life into the subject and relate their inspirational experiences.

“From top to bottom, everyone has a role to play in ensuring equity in the workplace and we have speakers on our roster who can set a fire under the issue and help provoke change.”

Based on extensive feedback from hundreds of events, the top 20 speakers on the issue are:

• Dame Kelly Holmes – Olympic gold medallist, 800m and 1,500m
• Steven Bartlett – Dragon’s Den investor and host of The Diary of a CEO podcast
• Derek Redmond – former world and European champion 4x400m athlete
• Colin Jackson – former world champion hurdler and Olympic silver medallist
• John Barnes – iconic Liverpool footballer and media personality
• Nicola Adams – first British boxer to defend their Olympic title in 92 years
• Jason Robinson – world cup-winning England rugby team captain
• Sir Lenny Henry – co-founder of Comic Relief, comedian actor and writer
• Maggie Alphonsi – former England women’s rugby star
• Michael Holding – West Indies cricketing legend
• Chris Gardner – entrepreneur, inspiration for ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ starring Will Smith
• Pier Linney – entrepreneur and technology media commentator
• Malala Yousafzai – youngest Nobel Prize winner
• Ziauddin Yousafzai author and Pakistani education activist
• Kanya King – founder and CEO of the MOBO Awards
• Akala – raper, poet and activist
• Mr Motivator – legendary fitness instructor
• Leon Rolle (Locksmith) – member of award-winning band Rudimental
• George the Poet – highly influential lyricist
• David Olusoga – professor of public history at the University of Manchester

For more information, please visit champions-speakers.co.uk/race-minority-ethnic-speakers

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