Boss of the world’s biggest media company, WPP CEO Mark Read, has vowed action and change within the organisation following the death of George Floyd in the US and the riots that have followed.
It appears Read has used the turmoil in the US for some reflection on how WPP’s business is run and what more can be done to foster diversity in its own ranks.
Read even touting the idea of a “Inclusion Council” to help make the organisation more diverse.
In a LinkedIn post, Read wrote: “The global Inclusion Council will not be a siloed HR initiative but the basis for a set of commitments that will apply throughout the company and for which leaders will be held accountable.
“It will build on our experience with the UK Inclusion Board, which was established two years ago by our UK Country Manager Karen Blackett, who is also the UK Government’s Race at Work champion.
“What is equally clear, though, is that voicing support and acknowledging the issue is not sufficient. Our focus needs to be on action – and not just today.
“Another comment that hit home was this: ‘Brief pulses of outrage aren’t enough. We need everyone to be committed, consistent, persistent for this to work. We can’t go quiet when the news cycle stops,” Read penned.
