Senior Leaders learn about diversity
We are always keen to spread the #rethinkingrefugee message to senior leaders and businesses, and were given a great chance to do this on 16th May, when we hosted an immersion event in Bristol for Common Purpose.
The Common Purpose Meridian programme is aimed at established leaders who wish, amongst other things, to understand complex change in the community. Attendees were senior leaders from across the public, private and third sectors, and we immersed them into our work as a social enterprise specialising in the resettlement of refugees through labour market and social integration.
Our Business Development Manager, Richard Thickpenny, started proceedings with a keynote session on leadership in practice, our work and our #rethinkingrefugee campaign. The group then sat down with our staff members Yasmeen and Abdikarim, to learn more about diversity and what life was like in Bristol for refugees and economic migrants. The afternoon concluded with the group speaking with two of our stakeholders. Rob Crook, from Nook Housing, talked about their story and mission. And David Jepson, Himilo Director, talked about employment and economic development, including working with stakeholders, and the problems and barriers faced by refugees.
We got such positive feedback from the group - they all really enjoyed listening to Richard, David and Rob and the subsequent discussions, and they were inspired by Abdi and Yasmeen - they loved their optimism and hearing their stories.
John Heraghty, Operations Director at Common Purpose, said: “Delighted to be part of the conversation this week. I was particularly impressed by the entrepreneurial approach of ACH’s #rethinkingrefugee campaign, and the leadership and thoughtfulness shown by a range of diverse organisations in Bristol in changing the narrative around refugees.”
To find out more about our work with businesses visit https://www.ach.org.uk/businesses
