Race at work
Race at Work: Driving Race Equality for 30 Years
From leadership and recruitment to workplace culture and supply chains, we provide the insights, tools, and partnerships needed to create truly inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive.
30 years of driving race equality
For three decades, Business in the Community has been at the forefront of driving race equality in business. We work with our network of private and public sector partners to offer tailored practical advice and share new insights to drive long-term change. 
As we mark 30 years of the Race Equality Campaign, we reflect on the past, assess the present, and drive action for the future – including the Race at Work Charter Reset, which strengthens our framework for real action and accountability for the decade ahead. 
Did you know…
better financial returns for organisations with gender and ethnicity diversity in senior teams.
per year could be added to UK economy through race equality – that’s 1.44% of GDP or £712Million per week
is the United Kingdom ethnic pay shortfall for non-white employees – that’s 0.66% of UK GDP
Make race equality a priority
The Race at Work Charter is a public commitment by businesses to advance workplace equality.
Launched in response to the McGregor-Smith Review (2017) and BITC’s Race at Work Scorecard Report (2018), the Charter initially set out five key actions to drive race inclusion. In 2021, it expanded to seven commitments and in 2025, the Charter was updated with a new commitment to support NEET young people (18–24) from ethnically diverse and lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Talent Unlocked
Through our Talent Unlocked partnership, Youth Futures Foundation and BITC are driving employers to turn knowledge into action – unlocking a generation of talent by cultivating workplaces where Black, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Mixed race and other ethnically diverse young people can thrive.
Cross-organisational Mentoring Circles
A programme to connect Black, Asian, and other ethnically diverse mentees through mentoring circles over a six-month period. Since its launch over ten years ago, it has provided vital personal development opportunities, helped professional networking, and supported shared learning with peers and leaders from other participating organisations.
Make race equality a priority
The Race at Work Charter is a public commitment by businesses to advance workplace equality. Launched in response to the McGregor-Smith Review (2017) and BITC’s Race at Work Scorecard Report (2018), the Charter initially set out five key actions to drive race inclusion. In 2021, it expanded to seven commitments and in 2025, the Charter was updated with a new commitment to support NEET young people (18–24) from ethnically diverse and lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Talent Unlocked
A programme to connect Black, Asian, and other ethnically diverse mentees through mentoring circles over a six-month period. Since its launch over ten years ago, it has provided vital personal development opportunities, helped professional networking, and supported shared learning with peers and leaders from other participating organisations.
Cross-organisational Mentoring Circles
A programme to connect Black, Asian, and other ethnically diverse mentees through mentoring circles over a six-month period. Since its launch over ten years ago, it has provided vital personal development opportunities, helped professional networking, and supported shared learning with peers and leaders from other participating organisations.
Inclusive Procurement Maturity Model
The Inclusive Procurement Maturity Model (IPMM) provides businesses with a structured approach to embedding diversity, fair access to opportunity, and inclusion into their supply chains. The model measures progress and promotes transparency and collaboration, helping businesses benchmark their progress against industry best practices.
Then, Now, Next
Celebrating 30 years of our Race campaign. Decades of progress, et the fight for race equality continues. Let’s celebrate the milestones so far and focus on a future where everyone can thrive.
Latest resources
From recruitment and career progression to supply chain inclusivity and effective allyship, our Race at Work resources can equip your organisation to accelerate change. View our latest resources below and discover practical guidance, inspiring case studies, and best practices tailored to the seven commitments of the Race at Work Charter in our Race at Work resource hub.
‘Then, Now, Next’ report: 30 years of impact
Highlights 30 years of our progress driving race equality in workplaces, with insights, impact, and actions for organisations to implement for a fairer future.
Breaking Barriers to Progression
Explores how ethnically diverse employees experience career progression in the UK, drawing on ten years of surveys, insights, and lived experiences.
Leadership: 10-Year Trend Paper
Draws on 10+ years of data, highlighting the importance of executive leadership, mentorship, and inclusive practices in driving race equality in UK workplaces.
The Race Equality Leadership Team
The purpose of Business in the Community’s (BITC) Race Equality Leadership Team is to support employers to help break down the barriers that prevent the progression of ethnic minorities in their workplaces. They act as leaders showing how an inclusive organisation better serves its customers, clients and communities.
Race At Work Frequently Asked Questions
BITC delivers programmes such as Cross-Organisational Mentoring Circles, the Inclusive Procurement Maturity Model (IPMM), and various insight reports to support race equality across workplaces and supply chains. 
BITC offers expert advisory support to help organisations embed meaningful diversity and inclusion practices. Our Inclusion Advisers take an intersectional approach, providing strategic guidance, policy reviews, data analysis, and tailored training. We also offer workshops, leadership sessions, and best practice insights to drive lasting change.
Get in touch to explore how we can support your organisation.
Getting involved is simple—sign up and take action! Here’s how:
- Sign the Charter – Make a public commitment to workplace race equality.
- Embed the Seven Key Actions – Implement policies on leadership, recruitment, progression, and inclusion.
- Use BITC’s Resources – Access toolkits, case studies, and reports to guide your progress.
- Engage Your Employees – Foster an inclusive culture through training, networks, and allyship.
- Measure and Share Your Progress – Track improvements and celebrate successes.
The Race at Work Charter is a public commitment by businesses to improve equality of opportunity, created in response to the Race in the Workplace: The McGregor-Smith Review on workplace disparities. It has recently been reset with a new commitment to support NEET young people (18–24) from ethnically diverse and lower socio-economic backgrounds, helping to open pathways into good work. Executive sponsor leadership has been embedded into each charter commitment.