BME into Leadership conference report

FDA equalities champion Sarah Guerra, and Turning Point chief executive Lord Victor Adebowale at the BME into Leadership conference

More than 50 delegates attended the BME into Leadership conference organised by the FDA and training company Westminster Explained, in association with sister unions Managers in Partnership and Prospect. The event, which took place on 10 November 2011 at Broadway House in central London, was aimed at black and minority ethnic people who aspire to leadership roles within - and outside of - the public service. The theme was 'Seizing opportunities and overcoming barriers in a time of change'.

The conference agenda was formed through a planning group set up by the FDA BME Network and the union's national officer responsible for BME issues, Jawad Raza. The conference itself was chaired by FDA equalities champion Sarah Guerra.

Lord Victor Adebowale - chief executive of health and social care organisation Turning Point - gave the keynote address. Other speakers included Glenda Scantlebury, development consultant at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development; Ruby McGregor-Smith, chief executive of FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing company MITIE; Race for Opportunity national campaign director Sandra Kerr; and cabinet secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell.

Lord Adebowale told delegates: "It's important that you understand who you are... characteristics defined in leadership programmes are not necessarily recognisable in those at the top - or yourself."

He emphasised the importance of asking "the purpose of the act that you're involved in - in bureaucracies people often haven't thought this through... As a leader you have to focus not on the politics, but on the purpose."

Sir Gus gave his definition of a good leader as "someone who can explain to their team what the future looks like, engage with all of the people who will get them there... then deliver... The people who will do well are the ones who have been able to learn and are open to feedback."

FDA member Pauline Curtis won the union's prize draw for a free place at the conference. She said: "The conference confirmed what I already believed, that we all have leadership qualities irrespective of our job title. The conference however, took this concept to another dimension in that it emphasised the importance of developing a culture of leadership. For me the whole day was a powerful demonstration of how encouraging leadership behaviours resulted in a healthy organisation. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity provided by the FDA to attend and I propose to share my learning with my colleagues"

Jawad Raza, FDA national officer responsible for BME issues; and FDA member and prize draw winner Pauline Curtis