Has our quest to demonstrate diversity gone too far?

The FA has been embroiled in considerable controversy over recent weeks, with questions raised over the organisation’s practices. The former England women’s football manager, Mark Sampson, has been at the heart of much of this controversy, after allegations of racism were made against him.

Last week however, the spotlight shifted towards the FA’s Chief Executive, Martin Glenn. In defending the investigation into Sampson, Glenn publicly stated that he deliberately selected a black woman to conduct the investigation.

Darren Maw, Managing Director of Vista, says “this revelation demonstrates the dangers in symbolic diversity, i.e. seeking to demonstrate diversity through making specific decisions, however well intended they may be.

“To become an organisation which is committed to diversity and inclusion, and the tangible advantages this brings, it is necessary to reach for substance rather than form. The diversity and inclusion agenda is advanced by embedding the following three important facets: