Introduction

Citation

Pollitt, D. (2015), "Introduction", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 23 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-05-2015-0081

Introduction

Article Type: Viewpoint From: Human Resource Management International Digest, Volume 23, Issue 5

David Pollitt is Editor-in-Chief at Human Resource Management International Digest, Oldham, UK.

This special edition of Human Resource Management International Digest is based on a conference entitled “Diversity: a Practitioner’s Journey”. The event, held at Middlesex Business School, London, was organized by diversity expert Dr Doirean Wilson.

Among the topics dealt with were sexism, work-life balance, the equality index, sustainability, legislation, spirituality, skill development and performance in the National Health Service.

Among the authors of papers in the special edition are Middlesex University scholars, politicians, corporate leaders and diversity-policy advisors representing various industrial sectors. The insights provided were born of the workshop topics presented at the conference.

The event, which attracted hundreds of delegates, was a joint venture with the exclusive invitation-only ‘Winmark HR Directors Network’ of FTSE & Fortune leaders of blue-chip companies, such as KPMG, Ernst Young, Cable & Wireless, Deloitte and the Bank of England.

The purpose was to share scholarly insights and best practice from various industry perspectives. The conference comprised keynote speeches and workshop presentations delivered by scholars and diversity thought leaders such as: Professor Nick Rumens; Anne Morrison, former director of the BBC Academy and chair of Bafta; Lisa Buckingham, senior policy advisor on diversity at the Institute of Directors; award-winning BBC journalist Professor Kurt Barling; Arun Batra, EY director and chief executive of the National Equality Standards; Andrew Boff, leader of the Greater London Authority Conservative group and member of the London Assembly; and Oliver Robbins, director-general of civil-service reform at the Cabinet Office.

Middlesex University is itself among the most diverse universities in the UK.

Corresponding author

David Pollitt can be contacted at: david.pollitt@talktalk.net