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Mayor to speak at diversity event

The Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority will be the guest speaker at a diversity and inclusivity event being hosted by law firm Higgs & Sons.

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‘Diversity in the Black Country – driving change and the benefits of inclusivity’, is one of a host of talks, seminars and events being held during the inaugural Black Country Business Festival which is set to become an annual event.

Andy Street, who was elected as the first ever Mayor of the West Midlands in May last year, will be joined by Kris Phelps, group manager of Stonewall at Higgs & Sons’ Brierley Hill headquarters on Friday, May 4.

A former chief executive of John Lewis, Mr Street will be talking about his first months in office, the diverse range of initiatives and businesses represented across the West Midlands and the integrated role the Black Country has to play in the future of the region. He will be sharing his experience on diversity across the West Midlands, as well as explaining why diversity is important to him.

“Higgs & Sons is a well-respected Black Country law firm committed to respecting human rights that believes diversity benefits and adds value to its business.

“As one of the region’s first diversity champions, the management team sends a strong public message to the business community about the firm’s principles and I am pleased to be invited to share my professional experiences of diversity," he said,

Higgs & Sons was one of the first organisations in the Black Country to become an accredited member of Stonewall's Diversity Champions programme, and as such pledges to be an LGBT inclusive workplace with a commitment to its diversity practices.

Paul Barker, a partner at Higgs & Sons, said of the event: “People perform better when they can be themselves and by creating a culture of respect and inclusion, businesses can attract and retain the best talent. A different set of experiences and perspectives can help organisations to flourish.

“How can we ensure that the Black Country keeps pace on diversity with other regions? With a focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) inclusion, this seminar will look at what businesses can do to make a difference.”

Kris Phelps from Stonewall will also talk at the morning seminar, explaining how the organisation can help businesses promote respect and inclusion. Stonewall is a national organisation primarily focussed on supporting equality for the LGBT community.

The Black Country Business Festival will run for two weeks from April 23 to May 4 and showcase the best that businesses in Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall have to offer. A packed programme of inspiring business events will be taking place right across the region.

​For more information about the Higgs & Sons event, visit https://bcbf.ticketleap.com/diversity-in-the-black-country---driving-change-and-the-benefit/details