SINCE their inception 26 years ago, the GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards have reflected what leadership looks like in Britain’s diverse society, Kalpesh Solanki, group managing editor, said at the annual event last Tuesday (4).
He also noted how Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat news weeklies have investigated inequalities faced by ethnic communities and the impact of this bias on their lives in the UK.
“In a world that continues to grapple with division, these awards remind us of a simple truth – our differences are not obstacles to overcome, but assets to embrace,” Solanki told the audience at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in central London.
“Tonight’s celebration takes on additional significance as we find ourselves at a crucial inflection point.
“Recent statements from the highest office in America suggesting that diversity initiatives are unnecessary or counterproductive demand our thoughtful response,” he said.
“When powerful voices question the value of inclusion, we must answer not with anger, but with evidence and renewed commitment.
“Companies with diverse leadership outperform their homogeneous counterparts by 36 per cent in profitability. This isn’t politics, it’s sound business strategy,” Solanki added.
“When diverse voices are elevated to positions of influence, they bring lived experiences that can identify and counter dangerous narratives before they take root.
“The notion that recruiting ethnic talent somehow compromises excellence, fundamentally misunderstands what excellence requires in our inter[1]connected world. True meritocracy isn’t about ignoring differences. It is about recognising that merit manifests differently across various backgrounds and experiences.
“Our goal should never be to lower standards, but rather to widen the pool from which we draw talent and ensure minorities are actively targeted.”
Solanki highlighted how the news weeklies’s investigations into racism and misogyny within the judiciary had revealed that ethnic minority judges were bullied and had their careers curtailed because of the colour of their skin.
“We cannot ignore the persistent realities of racism and discrimination that continue to plague our societies. The barriers faced by people from ethnic minority backgrounds are not historical footnotes, they are presentday obstacles that limit potential and organisational excellence,” he said.
Last year’s summer riots, following the attacks in Southport, showed the dangers of failure to “combat falsehoods with truth”, Solanki said, adding that “when authentic voices are silenced or marginalised, tensions simmer beneath the surface until they inevitably boil over”.
The audience also heard how the challenges society faces today – climate change, technological disruption, economic uncertainty, and social polarisation – demand innovative solutions that can only emerge when “we draw upon the full spectrum of human experience and insight”.
Solanki said, “Each of tonight’s winners has a unique story – a journey that is marked by persistence in the face of scepticism, courage in the face of prejudice, and vision in the face of convention.
“As we look to the future, let us recognise that the work of inclusion is never complete. It requires constant vigilance, honest self-reflection, and a willingness to be uncomfortable.”
Lord Karan Bilimoria speaks during the event
