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Equality North East helps small businesses profit through equality

More than a hundred delegates who attended the recent ‘Profiting through Equality’ conference heard from Equality North East (ENE) how equality can help improve business performance.

Sponsored by the North East Equality and Diversity Partnership (NEEDP), Equality North East organised an interactive day to bring both public and private sector delegates up to date with equality legislation. There were also roleplays, the opportunity to ask questions and a debate on emerging trends in the region.

The main speakers included Solicitor General Vera Baird QC MP, who will be taking charge of a new Equality Bill which the government is bringing forward following its Discrimination Law Review. She said: “Equality is a fundamental component of a cohesive society and a successful economy. Discrimination in employment, wherever it exists, wastes individual potential and is extremely damaging to business.

“The talent of this nation will get us through the economic downturn and ensure a dynamic economy in future years.”

Other speakers included Ranjana Bell, Chair of NEEDP and Kevin Rowan, regional secretary of the TUC and convenor or the Employment, Skills and Enterprise Task Group, who chaired the event.

Ranjana said: “I know I speak on behalf of the board of the NEEDP when I say we were delighted that so many people from the public, private and voluntary sectors came to our conference.

“Our primary aim is to ensure that our work contributes to a thriving economy in the North East of England. The North East Equality Standard, which was launched at the conference by Equality North East, we believe is one of the ways to help employers see the economic value of having a diverse workforce and providing services that recognise the needs of customers.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .