Participants from across the country are this week embarking on the Pathway to Success leadership and development residential at the University of Oxford’s Magdalen College.
Residential programme begins to find next generation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic leaders
7 September 2021 (updated on 7 September 2021)
Participants from across the country are this week embarking on the Pathway to Success leadership and development residential at the University of Oxford’s Magdalen College. The programme, now in its second year, is a ground-breaking initiative designed to equip Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals with the tools and knowledge required to stand for political office alongside other leading figures from across the UK.
Participants have been selected based on their proven leadership skills and will undertake masterclasses in politics, governance, community, business, commercial and civic environments to build their know-how in running for political office and further develop their senior leadership skills.
This residential programme will allow the two cohorts who participated virtually earlier in the year to meet in person and undertake sessions and activities at Magdalen College in Oxford. More than 1,000 people applied for just 60 places, more than three times as many as the pilot year.
Run by The House of Commons and Operation Black Vote (OBV) in collaboration with the University of Oxford’s Magdalen College and Blavatnik School of Government, and Lloyds Banking Group, the programme aims to send out the message that diverse leadership is essential in politics, business and civil society, while creating a thriving parliamentary democracy.
Partners have developed a comprehensive programme to build an in-depth understanding of major political, civic and business ideas through discussion, group activities and input sessions. Participants will hear from a House of Commons clerk, academics, key political figures and business leaders during their time in Oxford.
John Benger, Clerk of the House of Commons, said:
“At the House of Commons, we believe that leadership is improved by diversity and an inclusive approach to how we work. That is why we are proud to have worked on the development of the “Pathway to Success” leadership and development programme.
“Addressing underrepresentation in senior roles within the House of Commons is one of the priority actions of our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2019-2022 and it is fantastic to see this programme go from strength to strength despite the challenges of the past year.”
Previous cohorts have already seen some impressive success stories, including:
OBV alumnus Frank Starling, and global VP of WERKIN a London based tech company who was appointed a London Enterprise Advisor to the Mayor of London, said:
“Pathway to Success is a career changing opportunity geared at levelling the playing field and accelerating Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic leaders forward. Being a participant of the programme has helped me to access knowledge, networks and tools that have aided me to reach the next level.”
OBV alumnus Sonika Nirwal who stepped up, applied and was appointed to a senior leadership position in her organisation, said:
“I took part in the Pathway programme as I felt like a part of me had given up on my future and that my career had stalled. For me the Pathway programme was like a reawakening. I met people who every day were changing the world around them. Coming on the programme has completely changed my outlook and I now believe in myself again.
“Three months after attending the week in Oxford I found myself thinking about applying for an internal promotion within my organisation. Through the programme I received support in preparing for the assessment process. In the end I was successful and am now looking at my career in a totally different manner. I have made some friends for life on this programme, whilst accessing some of the finest minds in the country.
“I would highly recommend the programme.”