Consulting industry makes diversity pledge

MCA member firms are pledging to take action to promote greater diversity and inclusion within the consulting industry. The pledges from firms and their leaders came as the MCA itself launched its Year of Diversity, a programme of events, research and other activities.

On Thursday evening, over 100 consultants and HR from MCA member firms met to launch the Year of Diversity. The campaign will examine the challenges consulting firms face on the Diversity and Inclusion agenda and promote the innovative solutions they are developing. 

The launch event, hosted by Deloitte, saw an expert panel examine how consulting is meeting the call for greater diversity in the workplace. Data shared at the event from two recent MCA surveys highlighted issues of gender balance, ethnicity and educational background in the consulting industry. LGBTQ, nationality, age, disability, mental health and socio-economic group were also discussed.

The panel, made up of leading diversity figures, shared their own experiences and initiatives and debated both opportunities and challenges facing the industry. The panel consisted of Liz Bingham OBE, Managing Partner and Ambassador for Diversity and Inclusiveness at EY; Nadun Muthukumarana, Partner at Deloitte; Mark Palmer, Managing Director at OEE Consulting; Sharron Pamplin, HR Director UK & Europe at Atkins and Claire Stokes, Partner at PwC.

Attendees were asked to make their own diversity pledges on the evening, both as individuals consultants and on behalf of their firms. Examples included reviews of recruitment policies, the introduction of new procedures to promote diversity and setting relevant diversity targets, as well as personal and behavioural commitments. The MCA is encouraging all firms to make pledges throughout the year via the MCA website.

Nadun Muthukumarana, Partner at Deloitte and Chair of the MCA’s Year of Diversity commented:

Across the Year, we will explore a range of issues. We will focus particularly on what makes for an inclusive culture in consulting and how that culture can bring business benefits. But we will also consider a whole array of important topic areas, from gender, ethnicity and race, LGBTQ, nationality, age, disability, mental health, education and socio-economic group.

Our industry has some great stories to tell about its commitment to diversity. But there’s also a long way to go. And in the wider political and economic context, there has never been a better time to make a strong industry-wide commitment to diversity and inclusion”

The MCA Year of Diversity is being led by a Steering Group of diversity leaders from across MCA member firms. Throughout the year, the MCA and its members will be producing an array of content and hosting a number of events on the topic of diversity and inclusion. If member firms and individual wish to get more involved, they can visit www.mca.org.uk/year-of-diversity, or contact luke.cummings@mca.org.uk.

Members of the Young MCA make their own diversity pledges.

-ENDS-

Kevin Kear
Marketing Manager
Management Consultancies Association
Tel: 020 7645 7953
Email: kevin.kear@mca.org.uk

The Management Consultancies Association (MCA)

The MCA is the representative body for the UK’s leading management consulting firms. For 60 years, the MCA has been the voice of the consulting industry, promoting the value of consulting to business, the public sector, media commentators and the general public. In 2015, MCA member companies generated £5.5bn in fee income and employed 45,000 people, representing around 60% of the UK consulting industry.

The new Consulting Excellence scheme means that all MCA members are committed to highest standards of ethical behaviour, client service, and professionalism.