New Chairman sought to head diversity work

The search is on to replace the chairman of Birmingham Professional DiverCity, who is to retire after completing two full terms in the role.

Norman Gascoigne has been at the head of the organisation ñ which helps the cityís professional services sector manage and value diversity ñ since it was created in 2002.

And now the organisation ñ based in the city centre ñ is beginning the process of replacing Mr Gascoigne, who steps down in 2008.

Birmingham Professional DiverCity provides a consultancy service to hundreds of companies in and around Birmingham to help them maximise their economic potential by achieving a diverse workforce at all levels.

Mr Gascoigne said that although much had been achieved in the past six years, much remained to be done. He said: ìThis is an exciting time for the organisation and this city, and as I step down there is a great opportunity for the new chairman to develop and enhance what has already been achieved.

ìWe have worked, and will continue to work, to ensure that the single greatest labour marketing skills challenge for this and the next generation ñ demographic change ñ is positively grasped by the professional and business services sector.î

Mr Gascoigne said that Birmingham Professional DiverCity had gone through two distinct phases ñ raising awareness of demographic change and encouraging businesses to change their approach, and then guiding the sector through what the changes meant to them.

ìAs we developed, we strengthened our senior team and expanded our number of consultants. We are now at the stage where my replacement will oversee the organisationís continued transition from being predominantly grant-funded to self sustaining commercial model suitable to serve the business and professional services sector in the years ahead.î

Mr Gascoigne added that success on a regional level meant that Birmingham Professional DiverCity was now in a position to build on this on a national stage.

ìMy successor will have an ambassadorial role in as much as they will be speaking more and more to a national audience about what Birmingham has achieved and spreading the word about the great work being done here. We are one of the most diverse cities in the world and that offers opportunity, choice and innovation to businesses and consumers ñ we as a city are leading the way in making the most of that.î

Birmingham Professional DiverCity board member Karl George said Mr Gascoigne had brought ìrobust and creativeî leadership to the organisation. ìThere has always been a moral case for dealing with diversity, but there is also a compelling business imperative where we can all benefit from the demographic changes in our city,î he said.

ìThe organisation has benefited from a chairman who understands this theme, and needs someone to continue to be an ambassador for the sector whilst understanding that there is a commercially viable business case.

ìI am happy to have been involved since the inception with an organisation which is now looking to make itself self-sustainable and which is leading from the front on these crucial issues regionally and nationally.î

The organisation is seeking applications for the chairmanís role by November 15 these should be sent to Sangeeta Chauhan, Birmingham Professional DiverCity,

Cornwall Buildings, 45-51 Newhall Street, Birmingham B3 3QR.