The Herald & GenAnalytics Diversity Conference returned last week, bringing together Scotland’s senior professionals in HR, business development and recruitment to share ideas about how to create more inclusive and diverse workplaces.
The conference, hosted by broadcaster Rachel McTavish, took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow with a programme of panel discussions and began with a keynote speech from Emma J Bell – an author, and former partner in Scotland’s largest law firm, who was also an employment judge.
The event was supported by sportscotland with sportscotland HR staff in attendance to take part.
Each panel discussions delved into themes around a post covid workplace, digital exclusion, artificial intelligence, online working, accessibility and disability.
The conference ended with a talk from Marvin Bartley, Assistant Manager at Livingston FC and Equality and Diversity Advisor for the Scottish Football Association. He discussed the importance of equality and respect in the sports industry.
He spoke candidly about the instances of racism he has experienced throughout his football career and the ways it’s impacted not only himself but also his family.
He said: “There was an incident when someone recorded me as they racially abused me. This then circulated over social media.
“To hear the hatred in someone’s voice based on the colour of my skin – that was really difficult to deal with and it put me in a bad place.”
Bartley shares many proactive solutions to tackle racism in football and how to hold those accountable, including an automated text message service that describes the perpetrator in detail so that they can be traced after leaving the stadium.
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, said: “This year’s Herald and GenAnalytics Diversity Conference has delivered engaging and interesting conversations on the importance of creating inclusive and accessible workplaces; as well as highlighting the positive lessons that have been learnt over the past two years. It was fantastic to hear from multiple industry leaders about the work they have undertaken and supported.”
