A large-scale effort to give more of a voice to black and ethnic minority (BAME) business leaders in one part of our region is underway.
Wirral Chamber of Commerce is planning to set-up a panel of BAME business owners to make sure that a greater diversity of views from across the borough’s business community are heard.
Paula Basnett, chief of Wirral Chamber, said: “Our economy is made greater by the contribution of our BAME community, from major manufacturers to our most popular restaurants.
“Wirral’s BAME community has a significant presence in Wirral and for us as a Chamber of Commerce we are proud to have our city region’s most senior business leader, Asif Hamid as our honorary president.”
As well as being recognised by Wirral Chamber, Mr Hamid is the chief executive of The Contact Company, the firm which is currently working with the borough's public health team to deliver Wirral’s local test and trace service, a vital new tool to keep the virus under control in the borough and reach contacts which the national system cannot trace.
Ms Basnett added that although things are moving forward, there is much more to do.
She continued: “Whilst progress is being made, BAME business leaders across Wirral need more of a platform to increase their representation.
“That’s why as a Chamber we’re working to establish our first BAME Business Representation Panel to give our BAME business leaders more of a voice locally. We’ll be working closely with partners within the third-sector to make this a success.”
Expanding on the purpose of the panel, Ms Basnett made an important point about the values held by the chamber and how society functions in the modern age.
Ms Basnett said: “Equality and diversity is within our very fabric as a community, anything we can do to strengthen this is a major plus for the businesses we are proud to represent.”
