The chief executive of Crossrail says there is much to be done to increase diversity and inclusion for everyone.
Mark Wild’s comments on Linkedin come in response to the Black Lives Matter campaign, following the death of George Floyd in America.
He says: “We work in such a busy, complex and pressurised environment at Crossrail, and it is easy to get swept along by our own momentum and not pay too much attention to the outside world. I am sure though that I am not alone when I say that the killing of George Floyd and the response to it has made me think a lot about the issue of equality, and of course the effect upon the people of ‘Team Crossrail’.
“As a leader, Black Lives Matter (BLM) has provoked a lot of internal reflection for me. Of course ‘all lives matter’ and we have much to do to increase diversity and inclusion for everyone. I can see why some would see this as a divisive. I don’t see it that way. I see BLM as a necessary focus on a historic and deep rooted inequality for one part of our community. My personal commitment is to make Crossrail as inclusive a workplace for everyone.
“I am nervous of entering this debate in case I say the wrong thing or I am seen as jumping on a cause. I can only do what feels authentically right for me and I am doing my best to educate myself on the reasons for this inequality and potential solutions to reverse it. I would encourage all senior leader to do the same.
“Reni Eddo-Lodge‘s “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race” is a great place to start.”
Photo credit: Sarnia / Shutterstock.com
