Why are Black and Asian people significantly under-represented on Trustee Boards?

Research shows that Black and Asian individuals are significantly under-represented at trustee board level in the charity sector. A new initiative - Action for Trustee Racial Diversity – supported by key organisations such as ACEVO, Association of Chairs, NCVO and the Small Charities Coalition – is specifically focussed on actions – not words – to increase the racial diversity of trustee boards across the UK. Action for Trustee Racial Diversity has partnered with Social Practice ENT to host this interactive event at the Royal Society of Arts.

Attendees will hear from a panel of experts in the area of race diversity who will set the scene, with the audience having the opportunity to share experiences, concerns and best practice.

Speaker bios:

Malcolm John

Malcolm John is the founder of Action for Trustee Racial Diversity. He was previously the External Funding Manager for Harrow Council and before that he was for five years social policy adviser to National Grid Transco advising on community investment and corporate social responsibility. He is currently Chair of the Young Harrow Foundation, trustee of the Association of Chairs and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

He was previously Vice-Chair of Anti-Slavery International, and has been a trustee of St Christopher’s Fellowship, a social housing landlord, Vice-Chair of Nacro, the leading national crime reduction charity, trustee of Novas Scarman Group and Chair of PATH National which supported black and minority ethnic people into middle and senior management positions. He was also a member of the BBC Children in Need London and South East Advisory Committee.

Srabani Sen

Srabani Sen has had an extensive leadership career in the not-for-profit sector. She has been the CEO of 3 organisations: Alcohol Concern, Contact a Family and the British Association for Adoption and Fostering. She has more than 25 years' Board experience and is currently Chair of two not-for-profits: campaigning organisation 38 Degrees and children and young people's charity The Winch.

In 2014 she set up a consultancy specialising in supporting not-for-profit organisation on leadership, strategy and organisational development. She has just launched a new organisation called Full Colour which aims to develop emerging BAME leaders, and to support existing leaders develop practical ways to lead inclusively. Srabani was awarded an OBE for her services to children and families.

Kunle Olulode

Kunle Olulode is the Director of Voice4Change England. Voice4Change England is a BAME charity and infrastructure support body. Its members number over 400 black community organisations and charities covering everything from criminal justice to migrant rights. He believes it’s time to develop a new narrative around race equality away from deficit models. Working in a sector that eats, sleeps and breathes identity politics, he is acutely aware of how lack of diversity in thought is crippling serious debate on social policy issues including Brexit.

He more recently, worked with Catholics for Choice and a range of African civil society organisations, thinkers and politicians in exploring issues of secularism, and what a 21st Century ‘African Enlightenment’ might look like. He is a regular contributor to Radio London, Al Jazeera, Sky, and RT on debates relating to politics the arts, diversity and race

This event is open to all who are looking to promote racial diversity on charity boards; however, due to the limited number of spaces, we are particularly interested in hearing from the following groups:

• Representatives of Black and Asian networks

• Black and Asian individuals who are currently trustees or interested in trusteeship

• Individuals or organisations working to promote racial diversity, and successfully running racial diversity initiatives

• Representatives of key charity member organisations

N.B. Please note that there is limited space at the venue so places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. However we will share more widely our key findings from this event, including a live stream via our twitter account @atrd_uk