Professions need to offer equality for all

29 December 2010

We write as the leaders of organisations that campaign for equality. The need to ensure all potential is unlocked is crucial - not just in making ambitions achievable for all, but also in ensuring future business leaders represent the best and brightest of each generation, not just those from privileged backgrounds.

While we have seen a step-change in commitment, the elite levels of the professions remain exclusive. So we welcome the proposals from the Legal Services Board for law firms and barristers' chambers to publish data about the diversity of their workforce - across all levels.

A requirement to publish details of the diversity of a business increases scrutiny by regulators, while this information is increasingly used by corporate consumers as a factor in procurement.

Throwing open the doors of the professions to greater transparency can be a major force for economic recovery.

MICHELLE MITCHELL, Age UK

MARK GOLDING, Mencap

LESLEY-ANNE ALEXANDER, RNIB

and 11 OTHERS