Brent LBC

This award is open to a single council or where appropriate a partnership of councils, or a council-owned company. Private sector partners can enter on a council’s behalf, with the permission of the council itself. This award recognises strong performance by a council, with a primary focus on the relevant timescale, in developing a diverse and inclusive culture that permeates the council itself and its workforce and/or the broader local area. The entry could demonstrate the council’s attempts to foster a more diverse and inclusive workplace for all employees, and members - promoting and progressing diversity and inclusion values from within - and describe how this is helping to attract and retain talent. It could include internal council initiatives, customer/service user-facing work, or work to promote a wide range of careers on the council to appeal to different people. The entry could alternatively focus more on the broader local area, highlighting initiatives driven by the council to foster diversity and help facilitate inclusion across the local community. It could include how the council has worked with other business and other local organisations to improve opportunity, participation and engagement.

Following the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent global Black Lives Matter movement, the council met with 72 black community leaders and key representatives in Brent. This open conversation led to the development of the Black Community Action Plan which set out the council’s commitment to eradicating inequality. The plan is the council’s commitment to give a platform to, and be led by the black community, to build resilience, skills and celebrate culture. It sets out actions that will be addressed collaboratively with the community, whilst focusing efforts internally on the areas that are within our control to change.

At Penna, challenging the lack of diverse representation within organisations is a critical mission. We want to assist employers foster a truly inclusive environment within which they recognise and value the differences of each employee. This is reflected in our own team which represents people from all walks of life and across all protected characteristics. Sponsoring this award gives us the opportunity to applaud the great strides other organisations and teams are taking in tackling inequality. Going against the status quo is never easy, but it is the right thing to do. It is an honour to recognise the leadership, commitment and hard work that is making the world a little fairer and equal.