Increasing Diversity

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is inviting men and women from a range of communities to seek membership
of its Non Departmental Public Bodies (NDPB’s). NDPB’s play a vital role in shaping Britain and need to reflect the life experiences of an increasingly multicultural society. Those who serve on the boards contribute to the achievement of goals such as alleviating child poverty, ensuring life opportunities and rights for disabled people and providing security in retirement.

In July 2004 The Experience Corps (TEC) was commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions to help raise awareness of the DWP’s drive to attract people from diverse communities to understand more about NDPB’s.

A series of workshops held throughout England culminated in the Increasing Diversity event at St Bride’s Institute, London on the 21st March 2005 where candidates were invited to meet the representatives from the NDPB’s.

The event was chaired by Dr Barbara Burford, Director of Diversity, DWP and enabled the candidates to learn more about serving on a public body. Following an opening speech by Dr Barabara Burford, Maggie Semple set the tone for the evening by sharing the background to the event.

There were five minute presentations from each of the NDPB representatives – Gill Saunders, Social Security Advisory Committee; Anne Spaight, The Disability Rights Commission; Arthur Blacklock and Julie Jaye Charles, Disability Employment Advisory Committee; Kathryn Mountford, Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority; Geraldine D’Arcy, Public Appointments Unit

The group had a break and chance to get to know each other over some delicious Asian food before commencing with group discussions and role playing. The event closed with a questions and answers section.

Following the meeting candidates submitted their profiles to the DWP for circulation around the DWP and other government departments as the next stage of the project.

For more information on this project please contact wendy.dickinson@experience-corps.co.uk or phone on 020 79210597.