UK retailers commit to BRC diversity and inclusion push
Over 50 UK retailers have signed up to a diversity and inclusion charter led by the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
The likes of Sainsbury’s, Aldi, AO, Argos, John Lewis Partnership, Ocado, The Co-operative Group and The Very Group will focus on oversight, recruitment, progression, reporting, inclusivity and responsibility.
This coincides with a report launched by the BRC, The MBS Group and PwC showing more work is needed to create a fully diverse and equitable retail industry.
Key findings include: 32.6% of board, 32% of executive boards and 37.5% of direct reports to board are women.
But more than one in five retailers have no women at all on their boards, and 15% have no women on their executive committees.
69% of retailers have an all male CEO, CFO and Chair. Only 9.6% of the industry’s CEOs are women and only 4.3% of the sector’s Chairs are women.
4.5% of boards, 5.8% of executive committees, 6% of direct reports to boards are from an ethnic minority background, compared to 12.5% of the UK population.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the BRC, says: “Retail revolves around the customer, and to serve the needs of a diverse country, we need a diversity of ideas, experiences and backgrounds across our businesses.”
“Five years ago, the BRC set out a vision for better jobs and aspired for retail to be a diversity and inclusion leader. The data collected by PwC and The MBS Group in our Diversity and Inclusion in Retail report shows there is so much more to be done if we are to reach this goal.”
She adds: “Nonetheless, I am confident about the road ahead. The first step to achieving change is acknowledgement and understanding of where the challenges lie.”
“Now, we must act. I am proud to see so many retailers pledge to better their businesses and create equal opportunities for all and I am excited to see what the future holds once greater diversity and inclusion is achieved.”
