A Bristol tech boss says it is “heart-breaking” companies are continuing to scale back or scrap diversity schemes - and that 海角视频 businesses "must realise" they can benefit financially from them.
US-born Bobbi O'Gilvie, who moved to the city a decade ago, has spoken out about the issue as Britain marks Black History Month.
Ms O'Gilvie, who is based in Fishponds and is heavily involved in Bristol’s tech scene, is the owner of studio Ready to Blog Designs and a micro-coaching startup called Circe App!
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A Harvard graduate who founded her digital agency in 2011, she says people still “pathologise blackness to black people” and that when it comes to inclusion, businesses are only making base-level changes, rather than across the board.
“Diversity is an asset,” she told Business Live. “From a business standpoint, you can make more money from being diverse."
The answer, she believes, is for companies "to ask better questions" and to "listen when people are speaking up".
Tech behemoths Meta and Amazon are among the US-headquartered firms to ditch diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives this year following Donald Trump’s return to power.
In the 海角视频, Barclays has also abandoned its ethnicity and gender targets for US staff, while British pharma giant GSK has paused diversity activity for 海角视频 workers - and deleted references to ‘diversity’ on its website.
'Mentally it is catastrophic'
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The roll-back on DEI initiatives by corporations comes despite evidence that diverse boards are more likely to outperform financially.
Previously published data by McKinsey & Company - a firm which pledged this year to retain its diversity targets - found that companies in the top quartile for ethnically diverse boards are 13 percent more likely to outperform than those in the bottom quartile.
“Really talented people are losing their jobs and their dignity,” said Ms O'Gilvie. “Mentally it is catastrophic for swathes of people to be told they don’t matter any more. We have never existed in a meritocracy, and it makes me feel very sad.”
Ms O'Gilvie, who is hoping to “revolutionise” the working world for women by giving them the tools to succeed in the workplace and in business, remains hopeful for the future however.
"People are fighting for change, which is positive," she said. "Hopefully there will be a watershed moment. You have to have hope."
She is also urging the 海角视频 government to direct more funding towards small firms - but not funnelled through schemes and other businesses.
“The government should think about what we lose in 20 years if SMEs can’t function now,” she added.
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Her advice to other young black entrepreneurs is to go into business “with your eyes wide open”.
“There will be barriers, but they aren’t insurmountable. Look for help within the community,” she said. “If you have a good idea, try it and test it out. You never see anyone give an Oscars speech where they just thank themselves… find other people to help you.”
And, she adds, “be unapologetic”.
“Pride begets the next success. Don’t let anyone take it away from you. You have to be proud of yourself.”
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