Lack of Diversity at HR Conferences in the UK

I would like to bring a very crucial matter to you, something I think you may have thought of before now. Being in the field of “HR business” has informed us of “things as they are”. The earlier we address these issues, the better it is resolving them. BHWR is at the forefront of changing the face of HR operations in the UK and this is something I am committing time and  resources on.

The BWHR event is sincere in correcting some of the anomalies and irregularities happening in the field of HR because there is an apparent lack of diversity in many of the conferences organised and targeted at HR professionals.

I would like us to address this very issue of lack of diversity in HR conferences!
HR conferences play a crucial role in fostering professional development, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities for HR professionals.

However, it is disheartening to observe the persistent lack of diversity and representation at these events in the UK.

Why is that?

Underrepresentation and Leadership Roles:
One significant factor contributing to the lack of diversity at HR conferences is the underrepresentation of Black professionals in leadership positions. As conference invitations often target individuals holding senior roles within organisations, the limited presence of Black professionals in such positions may inadvertently exclude them from these events.

This lack of representation hampers the diversity of perspectives, experiences, and ideas that could greatly enrich conference discussions and outcomes.


Perceived Irrelevance of Opinions:
The perception that Black opinions and insights may not be valued or considered significant. This bias can stem from unconscious biases or a lack of awareness about the valuable contributions that diverse perspectives bring to the field of HR.

It is important to create an inclusive environment that actively seeks and values the diverse viewpoints of Black professionals.

Overlooked and Forgotten:
Black HR professionals may also face the issue of being overlooked or forgotten when it comes to conference invitations. Inclusion efforts may inadvertently focus on individuals who are already well-connected or have a more prominent presence in the HR community. Proactive outreach, targeted marketing, and efforts to diversify attendee lists can help address this issue and ensure that the contributions of Black professionals are acknowledged and recognised.

Budgetary Constraints:
This may also play a role in limiting the diversity of HR professionals at conferences. If the conference budget only covers certain senior HR leaders it can inadvertently perpetuate the underrepresentation of Black professionals.

By allocating resources specifically to promote diversity, conferences can actively work toward rectifying this issue.

BWHR’s Efforts Towards Inclusion:
We use our conference to address a myriad of problems facing the field of HR.
We focus on empowering and supporting Black professionals and ethnic minorities in HR while advocating for diversity, inclusivity, and representation.

Our programmes priorities the participation of Black professionals, providing them with a platform to share their experiences, insights, and expertise. By creating spaces where Black and ethnic minorities professionals are visible, heard, and celebrated, inspires change within the HR community and encourage other conferences to follow suit.

So, in essence, the lack of diversity at HR conferences in the UK, specifically the underrepresentation of Black  and ethnic minorities professionals, is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed.

By acknowledging and challenging the reasons behind this disparity, such as the limited presence of Black professionals in leadership roles, the perception of their opinions as irrelevant, being overlooked, and budgetary constraints, we can begin to drive meaningful change.

BWHR wants to lead the way by prioritising inclusion and representation. It is imperative for the HR community to recognise the value of diversity and actively work towards creating conferences that embrace and celebrate the contributions from a diverse audience by fostering a more inclusive and equitable field.

Please join us on the 21 & 22 September by clicking the link below to secure your ticket! We particularly welcome our allies to the event!

Enjoy an early bird coupon discount of 10% with the code ‘earlybird01’ available until 13 August, and for students, we’re offering a 100% discount with code ‘student100’ until 31 August.