Be Inclusive launches report on race equity progress

10-Jan-2023 - Last updated on 10-Jan-2023 at 10:04 GMT

Inaugural report: Be Inclusive looks at its progress since inception

Social enterprise Be Inclusive Hospitality has released a report about the group’s work in its bid to adopting a multi-pronged approach to accelerate race equity throughout the hospitality sector.

The inaugural Impact Report 2020-2022 outlines how much Be Inclusive has achieved in its two-and-a-half years of existence including free scholarship programmes, education for hospitality leaders and partner collaborations.

“Launching a not-for-profit [organisation] amid a global pandemic was no mean feat, and so now felt like the right time to release our first Impact Report, in reflection of how far we have come, and how far we are yet to go,” said Lorraine Copes, CEO and founder.

“Over the past two-and-a-half years, we have built a predominantly UK-wide diverse community of partners, funders and members who have all been instrumental in our social impact to date.

“My hope is that this report provides insightful transparency and encourages more people and businesses across the sector to join us to accelerate change in 2023 and beyond.”

Mentorship schemes

Highlights of the Impact Report 2020-2022 include its work on professional development and wellbeing. This involved the Elevate Mentorship Scheme that supported 68 mentees with over 400 hours of mentorship with 40% of mentees reported to have accessed promotions, new jobs and business opportunities while on the scheme; Club Thrive has provided 33 scholarships in food, wine and spirits, along with mentorship, and peer to peer networks forged; and the BIH Spotlight Awards.

The BIH Spotlight Awards attracted 450 nominations, resulting in 44 finalists being recognised in both national and regional press. With 13 worthy winners, the awards attracted 60 press features, with a total circulation audience of 16.6m.

Lucy Do of the Dodo Micropub won the Best Pub/Bar of the Year category and said at the time: “These awards are massively important. I’m really grateful Be Inclusive Hospitality exists because the awards shine a light on those who have typically been marginalised and overlooked throughout their life or their careers.”

The report also showcases the educational tools and resources it has made available to people by recognising the influential role of hospitality leaders and industry organisations in driving change.

Industry reports

Its work included commissioning three industry reports, designed to provide insights to inform action in the form of Ethnic Minorities in Hospitality (2020) and Inside Hospitality Report (2021, 2022), while also delivering more than 100 hours of learning for 949 hospitality leaders, centring topics Talking About Race, Allyship, Bias and Inclusive Leadership.

Be Inclusive has also partnered with businesses that are determined to build a more equitable industry. These have included: Black Business Fund – partnering with Uber Eats and Enterprise Nation, providing £300,000 of funding and mentorship to entrepreneurs over a two-year period.

And also Taste of London – consulting to expand diversity at the event with the introduction of West African and Caribbean restaurants – the festival attracts over 46,5000 visitors over a five-day period – and Seat at the Table Fund – partnering with Mars Foods Ben’s Original to devise and deliver a programme that provided 15 funded scholarships to black chefs.

To read the Impact Report 2020-2022 click here.