BFC links with key groups for diversity census

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Aug 21, 2023

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has linked with The Outsiders Perspective and the (Fashion) Minority Report to launch what they say is “a comprehensive review of diversity, equity and inclusion in the UK fashion industry”.
 

The trio is also calling for “urgent collective action”.

‘The Fashion DEI Census’ is an industry-wide survey, which they say “will audit the demographics of the UK fashion industry” for the first time. 

And they highlighted the lack of data reporting available, meaning the status of progress is impossible to evidence as the industry tries to improve its diversity, equity and inclusion (D, E & I) practices and evolve its commitments and strategies accordingly. 

The BFC said: “Data insight into the UK fashion industry's key demographics is both vital and urgent. The audit is long overdue and marks the first step towards the vital measurement of the UK fashion industry’s collective progress towards the goal of fair representation. The audit will also provide invaluable insights into whether or not the industry reflects the diverse and global communities it inspires and serves”.

Its CEO Caroline Rush added that “the last few years have been a wake-up call for industry to address imbalances in the workforce from board to entry level positions”. And while she said “most organisations have taken the time for critical reflection”, she called the data gap “alarming”.

So how will it work? The audit will be conducted via an anonymous, self-declaration survey “designed to snapshot demographic data across the whole UK fashion industry, across all job roles, all functions and all seniorities”.

Those taking part will be asked to complete a short series of questions, taking only five minutes, without giving any further detail on their place of work or any personal data, “with the intention being to review the industry as a collective, rather than to index progress across different organisations”.

This will feed into a wider report to be published later this year, as part of a pilot programme led by the three bodies running the census. They said it means they’ll be able to “form a best practice playbook — ensuring that future progress can be real and measurable”.