Board Diversity
Sport Wales Support Boards to Achieve Diversity with Range of
Resources
Within Welsh Sport, we are committed to a diverse and inclusive
sector that provides equality of opportunity in sport, diversity
within our infrastructure and are passionate about tackling
inequality. We also know, and there is clear evidence to suggest
that diverse organisations able to respond to a wider range of
factors, are able to give greater consideration to stakeholder
requirements and ultimately make better informed decisions. Diverse
organisations are good for business - in all sectors, not just
sport.
At its July 2018 meeting the Sport Wales Board agreed a policy
objective for all Sport National Governing Bodies and National
Partners to achieve gender parity on their Boards. (the EU
Commission's definition of gender parity is at least 40% women or
men). Though all protected characteristics are important for
richness and diversity of thinking, the policy position prioritises
gender diversity as an integral component in balanced, inclusive
and skilled boards in Wales, and an area in which as a sector, we
need to accelerate progress. While the initial priorities are
gender focussed, we recognise that gender is just one
characteristic of how people identify themselves.
This proactive step led the way to address a known gap and was
made in made in accordance with the legal and policy frameworks
that guide Sport Wales' strategic direction and reflected the
contents of an independent report developed in consultation with
NGBs. The aspiration is for all NGBs and National Sport
Organisations to achieve Board Diversity in line with Principle 4
of the
Governance & Leadership Framework (GLFW) by March 2020.
Significant progress that has been made towards well run, well
governed organisations with balanced, skilled and inclusive boards
since the GLFW came into effect. Tailored support to drive improved
governance is currently available for all GLFW beneficiaries
through Vibrant
Nation.
A number of sector wide events have focussed on Board Diversity
and have highlighted the range of partners that can provide support
in this area ranging from Independent Consultants to organisations
such as Acorn Recruitment, BME Sport Cymru, Counsel, Chwarae Teg,
Inclusive Boards, Women's Equality Network Wales, & Vibrant
Nation.
In order to provide further support for the sport sector to
continue to make progress in this area, Sport Wales have developed
a range of resources following consultation and feedback from the
sport sector. The resources are designed to be used by all sporting
organisations striving for a balanced, skilled and inclusive board.
They consist of detailed, practical recruitment guidance with
tools and templates that enable this to be implemented; a
detailed evidence base on why a diverse board is good for business;
and a range of case studies which highlight how organisations have
achieved diverse boards, and what impact this has had on the
organisation. The resources can be found below:
The Business Case for Board Diversity
Recruitment
Guidance
Recruitment Guidance - Tools and Templates
Case Study - Birmingham FA
Case Study - The Great British Diversity Experiment
Case Study - Welsh Triathlon
Case
Study - Welsh Rowing
UK
Athletics' Commitment to Board Diversity