MI5 signs Race at Work Charter

Published date: 12 Jun 2019

We are pleased to announce MI5 is a signatory of the Business in the Community (BITC) Race at Work Charter, reaffirming our commitment to creating a truly diverse and inclusive workplace that delivers operational success and where everyone can reach their full potential.  The Charter is a commitment from organisations and leaders to improve outcomes of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) employees in the workplace.

MI5 has worked closely with BITC for several years to ensure we embed best practice in our approach to improving BAME representation and progression, and in 2017 and 2018 we were recognised as a Best Employer for Race.

Director General Andrew Parker said:

I am proud MI5 is now a signatory of the Business in the Community (BITC) Race at Work Charter. As I have said before, diversity and inclusion are vital to MI5's mission to keep the country safe. We aim to create a strong workforce that delivers operational success by attracting, nurturing and rewarding talent, encouraging innovation, and supporting collaboration. We've worked hard to foster an environment where everyone can be themselves and fulfil their potential. But we know there's more to do to ensure our workforce fully supports and reflects the country, people and values that MI5 works so hard to protect.

Sandra Kerr OBE, race equality director at Business in the Community, said:

We would like to thank MI5 for setting out their commitment to being an inclusive and responsible employer. By signing up to the charter they are showing that they aspire to have one of the most inclusive workplaces in the country. Together we can break down barriers in the workplace, raise the aspirations and achievements of talented individuals, and deliver an enormous boost to the long-term economic position of the UK.

You can read more about BITC’s Race at Work Charter here.