7/10 ethnic minority business leaders faced bias in career

Ethnic minority senior executives and Board leaders come up against workplace barriers and bias more frequently than previously thought, according to a new survey.

Research by Harvey Nash’s Engage network has found that 71% of ethnic leaders have experienced discrimination in their career that has meant they have had to work even harder to reach Board level or the most senior positions.

We spoke to Peter Reichwald, Founder of Engage and Director at Harvey Nash Board Practice, who explained what companies should be doing to combat these discriminatory practices.

He explained: “We must all recognise that often people recruit in their likeness or those who they feel more comfortable with. The current processes don’t encourage diversity so people don’t see themselves in those roles. If a company wants to recruit diversity it has to be reflected in the selection panel.