Mission Statement

Diversity is a term that is increasingly prominent in discussions concerning the future of both the public- and private-sector institutions. The British Government recently stated that it will be taking diversity statistics into account when assessing bids for government contracts — a move that promises considerable impact, if only in light economic expansion occasioned by work for the 2012 Olympic games. British financial institutions such as Barclay’s Bank have implemented similar diversity initiatives.

Although these developments reflect commendable social progress, the United Kingdom offers few resources concerning diversity, however. Many professionals in the city still do not recognize the benefits of diversity and do not know how to implement effective diversity initiatives. Some of them might feel that the historical factors differentiating the UK from the US render such programs as unnecessary in Britain.

Yet as London seeks to surpass New York as the world’s leading city for financial services, and as British business and law firms continue to expand globally, it is imperative that British businesses be able to harness the potential of fostering a world-wide multicultural employment base. Moreover, as an increasing proportion of the world’s talented graduates are women and ethnic minorities, businesses ignore diversity at their own peril.

Although diversity initiatives can be both international and intra-national, firms often find value from first implementing diversity programs within their home institutions among women and ethnic minorities who share the same language and culture. One American professor frankly said, “How can these firms hope to do business in China and India if they can’t even integrate the ethnic minorities they have at home?” We at Diversity City intend to champion diversity, demonstrating its benefits, and demystifying diversity programs and initiatives.