We were delighted to sponsor the latest instalment of the BVCA's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Series: Black History Month
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“Private equity and venture capital is all about people and ideas. We need to tap into and retain the best and widest pools of talent to ensure we continue to be successful – which includes people from all backgrounds"
Garry Wilson, BVCA Chair 2023/2024, and Managing Partner, Endless LLP
Ethnic Diversity in
UK Offices
The 2023 BVCA and Level 20 Diversity & Inclusion report reveals striking disparities in the private equity and venture capital sector. Currently, only 18% of professionals in this industry are of Asian, Black, or other ethnic backgrounds. This figure drops to just 10% when considering senior positions.
While 14% of senior women belong to these diverse ethnic groups, a mere 12% of senior investment roles in the UK are occupied by women. Only 3% of senior investment roles are held by women from ethnically diverse backgrounds, with no representation at all for black women.
Additionally, the report highlights that 26% of UK investment teams remain entirely white, and 13% are exclusively male. This disparity reaches 28% when considering firms with an AUM of <£100m.
While 14% of senior women belong to these diverse ethnic groups, a mere 12% of senior investment roles in the UK are occupied by women. Only 3% of senior investment roles are held by women from ethnically diverse backgrounds, with no representation at all for black women.
Additionally, the report highlights that 26% of UK investment teams remain entirely white, and 13% are exclusively male. This disparity reaches 28% when considering firms with an AUM of <£100m.
BVCA DEI Series:
Black History Month
Black History Month
An integral part of the BVCA's mission is to increase participation and representation within our industry, and for Black History Month this October, they are supporting it's theme this year, ‘Saluting Our Sisters’, which honours the achievements of black women.
- Cast the net wider during hiring
- Provide role models
- Be invested in your employees
Meet The Panel
Ladi Greenstreet
Ladi is a visionary leader and head of Accenture Ventures UKI, where he specialises in investing in growth-stage companies and driving digital transformation for large enterprises. He's also the CEO of Diversity.VC, a non-profit committed to breaking down identity barriers in Venture Capital. With an extensive network connecting enterprises, entrepreneurs, investors and universities, he's poised to drive meaningful change through the reduction of bias.
Diversity.VC
Patricia Hamzahee
Patricia helps social enterprises attract private capital through her company Integriti Capital and advocates to increase funding for diverse founders of start-ups and small businesses through Extend Ventures. She also co-founded Black Funding Network, a community of individuals and institutions who intentionally support small, Black-led non-profit community organisations as well as co-founded GiveBLACK, where she commissioned an important examination of Black Philanthropy in Britain.
Extend Ventures
Theodora Newman
In her capacity as Policy and Strategy Manager at the British Business Bank, Theodora plays a pivotal role in spearheading the Investing in Women Code and championing the adoption of best practices in fostering diversity and inclusion within both the private capital sector and the broader spectrum of the bank's operations. Investing in Women Code is a commitment by financial services to improving female entrepreneurs' access to tools, resources and finance.
Investing in Women Code