Our Equality and Diversity Officer, Cherie, organised the ASA’s inaugural equality, diversity and inclusion week. In our first blog, she tells us her motivation for putting on the event, and why diversity and inclusion are so fundamental to her life, and to the ASA as a regulator.

As the advertising regulator in the UK which makes decisions every day that are likely to impact on consumers and society, it is within our mandate to ensure that our organisation reflects the diversity within UK society, and that we are mindful of the various perspectives within different sections of society. This means that not only do equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) come into play in our day to day interactions between colleagues, they are also a vital consideration in our regulatory decision making.

What we have learned from speaking to other employers and organisations about common challenges and strategies is that, even if we all understand the fundamental principles of equality, diversity and inclusion, there is always a risk of complacency. So it is essential that we are constantly learning, challenging and checking, even if it means having some very uncomfortable conversations and doing some awkward self-reflection. This is why I, and the other Equality and Diversity Officer at the ASA, hosted an inaugural Equality Diversity and Inclusion Celebration Week, with the main objective being to make EDI top-of-mind, rather than an after-thought. We wanted to encourage even more open discussion within the organisation and facilitate colleagues in learning, practising and challenging how EDI manifests itself on an individual and wider basis. Active engagement and education about the challenges and experiences that different groups face, as well as ensuring a diverse range of perspectives are heard, can minimise the risks of perpetuating ‘groupthink’ and help us make more informed and balanced decisions.

We were absolutely delighted to have different speakers coming in to speak to us about a different topic each day: the Runnymede Trust on social inclusion and racial equality in the workplace; PrideAM on LGBT+ representation in advertising content and diversity within the advertising industry; the Employer’s Network for Equality and Inclusion on intergenerational working; Scope on representation of disability in advertising and the much talked about Maltesers ads, and our very own ASA Council Shireen Peermohamed on women in leadership.

The overwhelmingly positive feedback and noticeable chatter amongst colleagues about the insights we learned over the week are indicative that EDI resonates with every employee in one way or another. This is why I believe we all have a responsibility to equality, diversity and inclusion, and I would encourage everyone to consider what they can do to help.

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