Mayor champions diversity in London with launch of business campaign

The Mayor of London today launches one of his priority campaigns - Diversity Works - a four-year programme to help companies to develop and enjoy the benefits of having a diverse workforce.

The campaign, funded by up to £9.8 million over four years by the Mayor's London Development Agency, will provide excluded Londoners with a second chance to share in the city's opportunities and prosperity.

"Diversity Works for London is about underpinning the capital's status as an economically dynamic world city" said the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone at the campaign launch, "That dynamism is a direct result of the communities of people who live here. Diversity Works for London will be one of the biggest campaigns to promote diversity in any city to date."

The programme of work for the campaign will focus on three areas - engaging private, public and voluntary sectors in promoting equality; seeking and sharing business best practice, and; enabling businesses to ensure that all levels of their workforce reflect the diversity of London's population.

In addition to increasing the understanding in the private sector of developing a diverse workforce, the campaign will also organise a programme of practical measures to assist both large corporate and small businesses, including:

• high quality, subsidised consultancy services from workforce diversity specialists, including a one-stop advisory service on compliance with equality related legislation, and a telephone helpline
• leadership programmes for Boards, Chief Executive Officers and senior managers that supports their role as the driving force for change
• secondment schemes, training and development programmes
• trainee and modern apprenticeship schemes

The Mayor of London added: "I am determined that we achieve measurable improvements in how organisations across London reflect the diversity of our great city. We cannot do this alone. Business commitment is absolutely essential if Diversity Works is to achieve its goals."

The official 2005 launch of Diversity Works for London sees the signing of a bilateral accord between the Mayor of London and the Reverend Jesse Jackson Snr, whose Wall Street Project pioneered innovative projects with the likes of Boeing, General Motors and the General Electric Company. It takes place following a business breakfast organized by the Mayor's London Development Agency and addressed by the Reverend Jackson Snr. of the United States, and DTI Minister Jacqui Smith. Attendees at the breakfast include Accenture, HSBC, Credit Suisse First Boston, KPMG, Canary Wharf Group, British Airways, Fujitsu, Royal Bank of Scotland and Pearson PLC.

Manny Lewis, Chief Executive of the London Development Agency said: "The LDA is investing nearly £10 million in the four-year Diversity Works for London campaign so that more organisations reap the benefits of a diverse workforce and more Londoners get a second chance to share in the capital's opportunities and prosperity. This exciting new project will bring major economic and social benefits across the capital."

Caroline Waters, BT Group Director, People and Policy, also attending the launch, said: "London's diverse workforce presents a rich source of skills that enhance BT's ability to provide a diverse range of products and services to our customer base. We will continue to work with the LDA and support initiatives that tap into the enormous potential of London's ethnic minorities communities and their importance to London's economy."

For further media information: contact the LDA press office: Greg Rosen on tel: 020 7954 4552 or mobile 07881 552 874 or Sarita Bhatia on 020 7954 4087 or Ben McKnight at the Mayor's press office on tel: 020 7983 4071 mobile: 07881 501 920

Notes to Editors:

1. The signing of the Accord between the Mayor and Rev. Jesse Jackson Snr will take place between 11am-11.30am at Merchant Taylors' Company,30 Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8JB.
2. The London Development Agency is the Mayor's agency for business and jobs. The LDA prepares the Mayor's business plan for London and mobilises the support and resources of hundreds of partner organisations to help build a thriving economy for London's people, businesses and communities. The LDA is dedicated to improving sustainability, health and equality of opportunity for Londoners.