The group, which is co-chaired by Natasha Broomfield-Reid – the founder and director of Diverse Matters; and Chris Golby – the founder of CultureNav, will be meeting every two months to identify the issues and opportunities and come up with clear, tangible solutions.
Its initial focus is around three areas – inclusive leadership, inclusive recruitment strategies and inclusive growth through training.
The thinking behind OPTIC is to not only enhance inclusion in businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire because it is the right thing to do but to underline how more inclusive companies are driven to be more profitable.
The first meeting heard evidence on how firms with inclusive leadership teams are more likely to perform better, be more innovative and have better decision-making processes.
Kalie Sahota, who brings more than 25 years of experience across corporate, public, and not-for-profit sectors, was instrumental in its formation and is the Chamber’s representative on the group.
She said OPTIC – which stands for Outcomes, Performance, Transformation, Inclusion and Culture – would showcase the true benefits for inclusivity for business and wider society.
Kalie said: “The evidence shows that companies that are embracing diversity and inclusion in the UK and across the world make better decisions and innovate faster.
“Improving processes in the workplace to be more inclusive is the right thing to do but it has real impacts on the bottom line too.
“By tapping into the widest pool of talent available, any business gives itself an opportunity to build a leadership team with a wide range of skills and ideas, positioning them for sustainable growth now and in the future”
As well as Kalie, Chris and Natasha, the OPTIC group includes:
- Gemma Hathaway, assistant head teacher with the Inspire Education Trust
- Tina Chander, partner with Wright Hassall LLP
- Dawn and Peter Quick, directors of No Boundaries Disability Consultancy
- Charlie Ward, ED&I office at WMG
- Richard Easter, director of The Yard
- Shari Lewison-Frisch, project management officer at Kapsch TrafficCom
- Dawood Ibthehsam, a McDonald’s Franchisee in Warwickshire
- Paulina Patrykowska, director of SLT Media
- Andy Williams, director of regeneration and economy at Coventry City Council
Natasha Broomfield-Reid added: “I am thrilled to be co-chairing OPTIC. The importance of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is not fully understood in how it enhances business success.
“This group will be working to change this and to support businesses with evidenced, data-driven and qualitative information and guidance.
“The group also aims to defy myths and misunderstandings regarding equity and inclusion so the business benefits are fully understood by business across Coventry and Warwickshire.”
Pictured: Members of the new OPTIC think tank
