For black footballers, progression into managerial roles is still proving challenging.

According to research by the Black Footballers Partnership, over 40% of Premier League footballers and more than 30% of Football League footballers were black in 2021 but just 4% of managerial roles were held by black people.

Why are black footballers facing these barriers? What changes are organisations like the Black Footballers Partnership forcing? And why is it important that organisations get equality, diversity and inclusion right – both in and out of sport?

In this bonus episode of Business But Better, Elise Sherwell – a double Olympic bronze medal rower turned associate solicitor in our Real Estate team – is joined by Elaine Huttley, our National Head of Employment, and Delroy Corinaldi, co-founder of the Black Footballers Partnership.

The UK has set an ambitious goal to decarbonise all sectors and become net zero by 2050.

But how have businesses responded? What does progress look like in practice? And what learnings can household names pass on from their experiences?

Bringing the first season of our Business But Better to a close, host Charlotte Rees-John is joined by River Island’s Head of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability, Jose Arguedas, and Irwin Mitchell’s Head of Planning & Environment, Claire Petricca-Riding.

Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of social injustices and are looking to their favourite brands to use their platforms to drive change.

As a result, equality, diversity & inclusion is a topic that is – or should be – firmly on the agenda at board level.

But what benefits do companies that prove their dedication to a truly inclusive workplace – beyond just good PR – enjoy? What does a successful equality, diversity & inclusion strategy look like? And how can we all get better at recognising the needs of individuals?

Host Charlotte Rees-John is joined by JD Sports’ Lead People Partner Ebony Quow and Irwin Mitchell’s Diversity & Inclusion Manager William Noel-Flint.