BDO joins Stronger Together network in Leeds
There is a potential £24bn a year benefit to the UK economy from full representation of race across the labour market – representing 1.3% of GDP
BDO has officially joined the Stronger Together network in Leeds, which will see the firm’s professionals support events and initiatives in the city.
News comes after Grant Thornton also signed up to the network earlier in 2024.
Stronger Together aims to promote and encourage best practice across the professional services sector and show that “diverse and inclusive leadership is a drive for positive change”.
BDO’s Leeds tax partner, Dan Brookes, will join Stronger Together’s executive committee to focus on the strategic direction of the network and its key objectives of retention and attraction of minority talent in Leeds.
Meanwhile, the firm’s financial services advisory manager, Natalie Jones, will join the network’s junior committee and will work with a peer group made up of member firms to organise events, reverse mentor more senior colleagues and deliver training.
According to a 2024 study by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, there is a potential £24bn a year benefit to the UK economy from full representation of race across the labour market – representing 1.3% of GDP.
However, progress for boardroom diversity alone remains slow – meaning the country is missing out on a major economic boost.
Brookes said: “We’re thrilled to be joining Stronger Together, working collaboratively with other like-minded firms in building a more inclusive professional services sector.
“At BDO, we have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion by encouraging people to ‘Be Yourself’. This aligns with the objectives of Stronger Together and our membership will support our existing EDI activities in Leeds.’’
Arif Ahmad, co-founder of Stronger Together and partner at PwC, added: “I’d like to welcome BDO to Stronger Together and look forward to collaborating with them to drive forward our objective of encouraging more people from ethnic minority communities to the professional services sector.
“Our ambition is for the Leeds professional services sector to be fair and just, that recognises and embraces people’s different needs, situations and ambitions. For this to happen, we all need to take responsibility for our actions and behaviours and contribute positively to change.”
