Panel members included:

• Deborah Lamb, Director of Policy & Communications, English Heritage
• Judy Ling Wong, Director, Black Environment Network
• Paul Boniface, Director of Human Resources & Legal, The National Trust
• Rob Sutton, Diversity Manager, The Environment Agency
• Phillip Hedley CBE, Director Emeritus, Theatre Royal Stratford East

‘How can organisations shift their corporate thinking to embed access and diversity into all working practices?’

Ling Wong’s opinion was that organisations, as part of society, still don’t often look into the intrinsic qualities of people that drive forward diversity change, and organisations need to shift their position and see themselves as part of the community, not outside of it.

Boniface stipulated that organisations should develop a shared understanding of what is meant by ‘access’ and ‘diversity’, then adopt strategies for change that are consistent with the culture they operate within. Senior management should be committed role models.

Sutton explained the challenges faced by The Environment Agency to encompass diversity, and claimed they were tough but necessary, involving a change of image and service delivery in order to attract a range of people.

Hedley felt the process of ensuring accessibility in organisations must run through every thread of action. He quoted Martin Luther King: “Shallow understanding from well-intentioned people is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill-will.”

Audience Q & A insued. Delegates wanted more information on initiating cultural change and increasing diversity amongst the workforce.

Sutton gave examples of his organisation’s experience, such as examination and alteration of the qualification specifications for certain positions, and the re-wording of job adverts so as not to alienate certain groups of people.

One delegate raised the point that while change may be necessary, people need to experience why it is important or it’s meaningless to them.

Click to download a soundbite from Judy Ling Wong or press play below:

Click to download a soundbite from Rob Sutton or press play below:

With several panel discussions, there’s too much to say here. That said, here’s something to be thinking about.

• Should heritage be re-defined to move beyond the traditional stately home and castle?

With such a diverse range of people living in England, does the definition need extending?

Music? Memory? Graffiti?

Does heritage extend to language itself?

Just click on ‘Join the debate’ to have your say!!