Leadership of GEM
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At PEP, we shine a light on the lack of representation for Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) individuals in leadership positions and actively advocate for a shift towards more diverse voices at senior levels.
We don’t just talk about it—we champion GEM leadership by empowering and promoting individuals from GEM communities, making sure they have equitable access to leadership opportunities.
It’s about fairness, and we’re committed to making it happen.
Our work starts from within. We’ve created a space where volunteers from GEM backgrounds are encouraged to step up into leadership roles. In fact, volunteers play a critical role in shaping PEP. With a staff-to-volunteer ratio often at 50:50, and sometimes with more volunteers than staff, their leadership isn’t just welcomed—it’s central to what we do. Many of our volunteers have taken on key responsibilities, contributing to decision-making and joining our meetings as equal partners. Over the years, six volunteer leaders have gone on to university or new career paths, with their leadership potential nurtured and developed along the way.
PEP was founded with a clear purpose: to carve out better leadership opportunities for GEM communities. Our mission is to bring together expertise, ideas, and leaders, ensuring our organisation is truly driven by GEM individuals. Our board reflects this—currently 100% of our board members are from GEM backgrounds, and we had a strategic goal to reach 100% by the end of our first year under this new strategy. With an entirely GEM-led staff, we guarantee our work is authentically shaped by those we represent.
The statistics speak for themselves. According to the Race Disparity Audit, only 6% of senior management roles in the UK are held by ethnic minorities, despite making up 14% of the population. The unemployment rate for ethnic minorities is also alarmingly high at 8.3%, compared to 4.3% for White individuals. These disparities are why targeted initiatives, like ours, are essential for improving leadership and employment outcomes for GEM communities. And while participation in higher education is increasing, we know there’s still a gap in ensuring GEM individuals progress into leadership roles post-graduation. That’s where PEP steps in, determined to make a lasting difference.
