Increasing diversity

This article was previously published on the Leadership Foundation website.

The Department for Business Innovation & Skills highlighted in its 2013 funding letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) the ‘insufficient diversity of institutional governing bodies and the relatively low proportions of women, BME (black minority ethnic) and disabled people in senior management positions’. To address these issues the sector was encouraged to continue working with the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU).

The latest contribution from the Committee of University Chairs (CUC), the ECU, GuildHE, HEFCE, the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, the Universities and Colleges Employers Association and Universities UK working together to address matters of equality and diversity is a new report. Launched at CUC’s annual plenary event in October, 2014 the report discusses the benefits of taking action on equality and diversity and offers 12 case studies on how heads of institution have initiated and lead change in their organisations. The report identifies the importance of chairs of governing bodies ensuring new appointments strengthen the diversity of thinking on governing bodies and act as inclusive leaders.