Square One Law’s Managing Partner Gill Hunter has been selected to chair the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) flagship Workplace Equity Commission.
Gill joins leading national experts and businesses on the newly launched commission, tasked with producing recommendations for government and business to progress the equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) agenda in the workplace.
The commission will examine workplace equity from several angles including age, disability, race, gender and LGBTQ+, while also considering the intersectionality of these factors. It will also look at how employers can be supported to unlock the talent and potential of all individuals in the workforce.
Gill said: “With the creation of their Workplace Equity Commission, the BCC is establishing itself as a leading voice in the progression of equality, diversity and inclusion across UK businesses.
“I am delighted to be chairing the commission which will see top class experts and business leaders develop real solutions to the challenges we come up against on our path to a truly equitable, inclusive and representative economy.”
The commission, which is the first body of its kind from the BCC, is part of the organisation’s three-year workplace equity campaign, the inspiration for which came from the findings of the BCC International Women’s Day research, published last March, that surveyed 4,000 people.
Shevaun Haviland, director general of the BCC, said: “True equity across our workplaces is not only important for our society, it is also imperative to the functioning of a healthy economy.
“This commission will look at how employers are currently addressing ED&I issues in the workplace, and the impact this has on the recruitment, retention and progression of a skilled workforce – an issue of particular relevance given today’s incredibly tight labour market.”
She added: “We are delighted to have renowned national figures, such as Iain Anderson and Jude Kelly CBE, joining us to bring their expertise and lived experiences to the group. Together with industry and Chamber leaders, our aim is to deliver a pragmatic and ambitious ED&I roadmap for businesses and government that will leave a lasting and meaningful impact on workplaces across the UK.”
The commission will run for 12 months, commencing September 2023. Commissioners include national experts, business leaders and representatives from the UK and international Chamber networks, including Stonewall chair Iain Anderson, Ayesha Hazarika MBE, Women of the World founder and CEO Jude Kelly CBE, and Scope CEO Mark Hodgkinson.
North East England Chamber of Commerce chief executive John McCabe said: “The BCC’s flagship commission brings together trusted experts and business leaders from across nations, regions and sectors to ensure we are doing all we can as a Chamber network to embed equity in the UK’s businesses.
“The commission will explore what employers are doing to create the optimum workplace environment to support and harness the skills and potential of our talented workforce.
“We are incredibly proud to have Gill lead on such an important piece of work and look forward to seeing the significant and meaningful impact she will make in her new role.”
