Our Race at Work Ambitions
Barclays is committed to supporting diversity in all its forms, and we believe that every individual should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and achieve their personal and professional goals. It’s not just the right thing to do to move society forward, it strengthens our culture at Barclays, differentiates us with our customers and clients, and is a major factor in our future success.
Our data shows that there are some ethnicities that are under-represented relative to the potential talent pools available and we are determined to close these gaps through our new Race at Work Ambitions:
We define under-represented ethnicities in the UK as: Black and Multiracial (mixed). In the US we define under-represented ethnicities as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino and other (includes Multiracial, Native American, Native Alaskan, and Hawaiian / Pacific Islander).
Asian colleagues are very well represented in both the UK and the US at levels significantly above census data. While Asian colleagues are not covered by these ambitions specifically, there will be a continued focus given to development opportunities to facilitate professional growth and enable career progression.
Race at Work Ambitions are measurable outcomes
Our Race at Work ambitions are measurable outcomes, allowing us to see the impact our actions are having over time.
There are actions already underway through the Race at Work Action plan to help to achieve these ambitions. Through the plan we are aiming to attract and hire more Black and ethnically diverse talent; provide improved access to career and development opportunities for Black and ethnically diverse colleagues, empowering them to fulfil their potential; and create a culture of allyship across the organisation.
The ambitions will stretch us but they are achievable. And although gaps within the census data may not be fully closed, substantial progress can be made. We are saying ambitions rather than targets, because targets create a sense of final destination and these ambitions are about having a clear direction of travel. We will refresh them over time.
Chief Diversity Officer
New Global Head of Race at Work
Azura Mason has been appointed as the new Global Head of Race at Work, reporting to Ray Dempsey, Group Chief Diversity Officer.
Azura joined Barclays in 2014 with her most recent role being the Head of Business Management for BBPLC Legal. Azura has been the Race at Work Champion for the Legal function, and has been one of the founding members of the Race at Work taskforce for the bank. She also serves on the Leadership Committee of the US Black Professionals Forum.
Prior to joining Barclays, Azura worked for the international law firm, Sullivan & Cromwell. She has a degree in African-American Studies from the University of Virginia and attended Howard University School of Law.
In her new role Azura will be responsible for the strategic execution of the Race at Work agenda across the colleague, community and client pillars.
I strongly believe that the shift to a more inclusive culture and ways of working will come from within. There is a lot of work in front of us and it will take a collective effort from every colleague, manager and leader to achieve these ambitions, and bring about change.
Global Head of Markets and Co-President of BBPLC and Executive Sponsor of the Multicultural agenda