Lord Mayor challenges City institutions on diversity

On July 7th 2014 two hundred leaders from the City’s ethnic, gender, sexuality and disability minorities met to debate and develop a Talent Manifesto to progress the diversity agenda of Fiona Woolf CBE, only the second woman to hold the position of Lord Mayor of the City of London in over 800 years. Entitled 'AudaCITY - Talent Rising' the conference hoped to kick start the Lord Mayor's talent revolution by asking City firms’ Affinity Group leaders to challenge the status quo.

Chaired by the BBC’s Evan Davis, delegates discussed a range of issues with an expert panel including:

• Powerlister and philanthropist, Ken Olisa of Restoration Partners (Chair of the organizing committee);
• Former Attorney General, Baroness Scotland;
• Diversity thought leader, Rachel Short of YSC;
• Transgender pioneer, Antonia Belcher of MHBC;
• Paralympian and ex-FSA head of Corporate Responsibility, Claire Harvey; and
• Hedge fund manager and broadcaster Alpesh Patel.

Using leading edge techniques including a tech-centred Hackathon, attendees developed a Talent Rising Manifesto to present to the Lord Mayor for her use in driving change in the City.

Commenting on AudaCITY – Talent Rising, Fiona Woolf said:
“This approach marks a radical change from the City’s usual approach to topics like this. In line with my theme for the year, I intend to unleash the energy that I have seen in the many diverse corners of City talent – the Affinity Groups of the City’s largest employers. They will debate how we, their bosses, can capture the power of their talent. Their conclusions will be recorded in a manifesto which I expect to find nailed to the front door of Mansion House that evening!”

Panellist and Chair of the organizing committee, Ken Olisa OBE, added, “The City of London is one of the most vibrant, 21st century places in the world but our image is often a bit 19th century. The Square Mile’s assets include a rich seam of diverse talents which AudaCity – Talent Rising will mine to the long term competitive advantage of the City and the UK. And raise considerable sums for charity into the bargain!”

About Fiona Woolf

Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE, The Lord Mayor of the City of London is only the second female Lord Mayor since records began over 800 years ago. Throughout her year in the Mansion House Fiona is promoting a wide programme of activities designed to push the diversity agenda forward as part of her Diversity Programme.

The Lord Mayor’s Appeal supports four charities – Beating Bowel Cancer, Princess Alice Hospice, Raleigh International and Working Chance – to which all proceeds from AudaCITY – Talent Rising will be donated. AudaCITY – Talent Rising is being sponsored by major City firms including, Instinctif, Crystal Interactive, EY, Thomson Reuters. Aon AIG, Pinsent Masons, National Equality Standard, Mace and CBRE.