The BSB outlines continued progress against its anti-racism ambitions in the release of the first Anti-Racist Strategy 2024-2027 Progress Report and Year 2 Action Plan. Last year, the BSB launched its Anti-Racist Strategy 2024-2027, which sets an internal commitment to anti-racism in how the BSB operates with its people. The approach was outlined by a published Year one Action Plan (Anti-Racism-Strategy-Finalised-and-Revised-Version.pdf), highlighting ambitions to become an anti-racist organisation, leading by example for the profession and setting and meeting standards in its own approach.
Over the past year, the BSB has made real progress in achieving anti-racist ambitions. As highlighted in the newly published progress report, achievements include:
- Forming the Anti-Racist Implementation Group (ARIG) to deliver the Year 1 Action Plan, consisting of voluntary members from across the BSB, and a Board Sponsor.
- The BSB received a Bronze Award from Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (ENEI) in recognition of its progress in Diversity and Inclusion.
- The BSB Annual Board and Staff diversity report revealed an increase in the regulator’s workforce from a minority ethnic background by six percentage points.
- Updating the BSB Board Code of Conduct to include a commitment to anti-racism.
The BSB has now launched its Year 2 Action Plan and progress report which continues to drive the work of the Anti-Racist Strategy for 2024-27.
Highlights of this action plan include:
- Improving the take-up of learning and development opportunities by BSB people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
- The setting of targets for diversity at management level.
- Identifying improvements to data collection at the application, shortlist and offer stage of recruitment.
- Exploring anonymous reporting tools to ensure BSB people can confidently report incidents.
Progress will be communicated across the organisation throughout the year and at the conclusion of subsequent annual action plans.
Race Equality Taskforce member and Board sponsor for the Strategy, Professor Leslie Thomas KC said:
“ I remain firmly committed to the work of dismantling structural racism within the legal profession. This second-year progress report reflects the BSB’s continued efforts not just to speak about equality, but to act with purpose.
We know that change takes time and persistence, but also courage and accountability. The legal profession must be a place where all individuals, regardless of background, can thrive, be respected, and feel they belong. That cannot happen unless we remain vigilant and committed to rooting out systemic bias wherever it persists.
I welcome this report as a measure of how far we have come, and a reminder of the distance we still need to travel. We remain resolute in our mission to embed anti-racist practice into every facet of our regulatory work.”
Commenting on the new report, BSB Director General Mark Neale said:
“I am extremely proud of how far the BSB has come since launching our Anti-Racist Strategy last year thanks to the work of our Anti Racist Implementation Group. Our progress shows our real commitment to promote a diverse and inclusive workplace. As we move forward, in partnership with the profession, to set out clear expectations of chambers and employers in promoting equality of opportunity, it is particularly important that we are seen to practise what we preach. By publishing our Year 2 Action Plan, we do exactly that.”
