The RACE Code
- Our Expertise
A unified Code built to transform leadership diversity and drive real organisational change
First of all, it’s not just another code! This Code and its Accountability Framework are designed to provide organisations across all sectors and sizes with the opportunity to address a very specific challenge.
How to deal with underrepresentation in the boardroom and senior leadership by reviewing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion practice.
The Code is used as part of a diagnostic process. It is not only a combination of current best practices and thinking around addressing the challenges organisations face in this area, but its unique DRIVERS methodology provides the refreshing, sometimes radical and uncomfortable solution needed to create lasting and transformational change
The Code adopts an ‘apply and explain’ approach, meaning organisations are able to describe how, based on their specific circumstances, they will achieve the Code’s standards. Adopters are required to carry out a self-assessment against the Code requirements, explaining in a robust, transparent and comprehensive manner the outcomes of their practice. Where a requirement has not been achieved, reasons for non-achievement should be given, supported by intended actions to satisfy the requirements.
In essence, this single Code uniquely provides one set of standards, applicable to every organisation irrespective of size or sector, which has been endorsed, robustly reviewed and is ready for immediate adoption and application
Vision
Organisations will use the RACE Equality Code to create transformational, sustainable and lasting change, to achieve a competitive and truly diverse board and organisational senior leadership team.
The Code will be established across all sectors as a marker of best practice.
Mission
We will provide a principle-based framework and practical guidelines for organisations of all sizes and sectors to follow, providing concrete actions that, when applied, will lead to outcomes that will affect real change in equality, diversity, and inclusion.
What is BCON?
BCON stands for Black C-Suite, Owners & Non-Execs. It is a community of black C-suite leaders, business owners, and non-executive directors of medium-sized and larger organisations. The first iteration focuses on the Midlands and targets black people (African, African/Caribbean, and Mixed Heritage), with the intention that similar branches will emerge across other minority ethnic groups and regions. The initiative was created to address the long-standing perception that there are not enough black and minority ethnic candidates for the most senior executive and non-executive roles.
Importantly, the RACE Code was birthed out of the BCON events that emerged in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, where collective discussions, lived experiences, and leadership insights highlighted the urgent need for a structured, principles-based framework to drive race equality and accountability across organisations. BCON created the space, and the RACE Code became the structured governance response.
What BCON Is:
- A live database of senior leaders from the black community.
- Specific leadership positions include C-Suite (CEO, CFO, CIO, CTO, Partner), Owners (> 50% of company), and Non-execs of medium-sized to large corporates.
- Criteria for inclusion vary by role, generally involving a minimum Turnover (T/O), number of employees, or Balance Sheet (BS) value.
- Collated based on position achieved in business/career.
- A platform to capture leaders by sector.
- Its aims include highlighting senior black leaders, identifying the extent of underrepresentation, and developing a platform for engagement.
What BCON Is Not:
- In competition with any other publication or list.
- Collated by nominations, applications, awards, or a panel of judges.
- A static catalogue or list.
Early Adopters
Birmingham and Solihull Womens Aid
Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Foundation Trust
Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce
West Midlands Combined Authority
Nehemiah Housing
Birmingham City Council
How to Adopt the RACE Code
There are 2 options:
1. Subscribe
Download the Code to access the full guidance documents of how to adopt
2. Adopt
Arrange an appointment with a RACE code Consultant
Want to adopt the code? Book an appointment
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Representation of diverse talent is an essential element of inclusion; we can tackle race inequity whilst reviewing the impact on all aspects of underrepresentation and discrimination across all protected characteristics.
The core leadership team must be at the centre of equality, diversity and inclusion, to have the desired impact and ensure that there is accountability for addressing inequity.
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Organisations need to be clear about their data in respect to representation and the moral principles they propagate and create meaningful solutions, demonstrating what actions they will be accountable for, in addition to any bold statements that some are making
When you employ someone from an underrepresented group, they are not a novelty; increasing the proportion of representation is not tokenism, as fairness and transparency underpin a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of discrimination
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Introducing policy around inequality is more than just a moral imperative of doing what is right. It is about working towards the creation of a level playing field where, in the context of merit, all people are not only fairly recruited but can thrive.
It’s time for change, this is the tipping point and diversity needs to be talked about and addressed in the fight for equity, equality and justice
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Code Steering Group
The Code and its detailed requirements have been reviewed by a panel of experts consisting of campaigners, academics, practitioners and representatives of other organisations that have published charters and guidelines on race equality.
The Steering Group considered the first draft of the Code developed by Karl George MBE, and after making recommendations and revisions, circulated the draft code together with a list of enquiry lines that helped to produce the first version of the Code at the official launch that took place in October 2020.
Professor Anton Emmanuel
Head of Workforce Race Equality Standard
Gary Elden OBE
Chair Amoria Bond, Former CEO SThree – Recruitment
Karl George MBE
CEO of The Governance Forum
Simon Osborne FCG
Former Chief Executive with ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute
Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE
Parker Review, President European Federation of Women Business Owners
Sir Ken Olisa OBE
Parker Review, The Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London
Raj Tulsiani
CEO Greenpark, Race Equality Matters
Charlotte Valeur
Chair IOD, Chair Board Apprentice
Prof Alexander Van de Putte FCG CDir FIoD
Chairman of Corporate Governance & Stewardship at the Astana International Financial Centre
Caroline Waters OBE
Deputy Chair Equality and Human Rights Commission
Bishop Derek Webley MBE
Co-Chair Windrush Enquiry, Deputy Lieutenant of West Midlands
ICSA WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Members of the West Midlands Branch of the Governance Institute carried out research, drafting and revising to produce the first draft of the Code.
OTHER FORUM MEMBERS
There are 4 other lines of consultation for the code:
- The Focus Group
- Early Adopters of the Code
- The RACE Code Consultants
- Strategic Advisors
- Contact Us
Ready to take meaningful action on race equity in your organisation?
Whether you’re a leader seeking to create systemic change or an ally looking to learn, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to discover how The RACE Code can support your journey toward authentic inclusion, accountability, and impact.