HarperCollins has been included on the inaugural list of the UK’s best employers for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people compiled by charity Business in the Community..

Creating a Best Employers for Race list was one of the recommendations made in the McGregor-Smith Review of race in the workplace earlier this year to showcase best practice on race equality in UK workplaces. To be chosen for the list, organisations had to prove that they are putting leadership on race into place within their organisations, creating inclusive workplace cultures and taking action in at least one of three areas - leadership, progression and recruitment. They also had to be able to demonstrate the impact of these policies on BAME employees.

HC is one of 65 public and private sector orgfanisations included on the Best Employers for Race listing, unveiled this week.

Charlie Redmayne, HarperCollins UK c.e.o., said: “I am proud of the work we have done at HarperCollins and grateful to Business in the Community for recognising our efforts. Becoming a truly diverse business will enable us to reach the widest possible audience whilst making us a stronger and more influential company.”

Sandra Kerr, race equality director at Business in the Community, said: “Congratulations to HarperCollins UK on being named in the first ever Best Employers for Race listing. They are taking a comprehensive and strategic approach to tackling racial inequalities within their organisation and have shown their commitment and leadership on this issue. I hope more employers will follow their example of best practice and take part in the 2018 listing. If employers truly want their workplaces to reflect the clients, communities and customers they serve, the time to act is now.”

Redmayne attended the event with HarperCollins' director of people John Athanasiou and HarperCollins' author June Sarpong.

The full list of the Best Employers for Race 2017 is available via the Business in the Community website.