Barber: New FA Diversity Code is a welcome step

Albion are among 40 clubs who have signed up to the initiative which aims to ensure English football better represents our modern and diverse society.

Barber explained, “We are proud to be a part of the founding group of signatories. Signing up to the Code was a logical move and compliments the work we already do to address under-representation within our football club.

“We don’t shy away from being held to account and believe that having targets to aim for gives us a clear line of sight as to where we want to be.

“Without those targets, data and measurement it is very difficult to assess progress and reflect how we have done over a specific period of time. 

“We recognise that there is much more to do in football, and across many other industries, to ensure everybody has equal accessibility to jobs, opportunities to progress and to have their voices heard.  As an industry which is often in the spotlight, we want football to lead the way and set an example in wider society.”

Albion have a strong track record on tackling discrimination, but Barber acknowledges that more needs to be done to ensure that pathways are available to aspiring professionals across all areas of the game.

He added, “We hope this can encourage others to begin the process, or at least start those important conversations between clubs at all levels and the key stakeholders in the game.

“Different diverse groups in society have been sorely under-represented across many levels of the game in the UK. It might be due to gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation, disability or another of the nine recognised protected characteristics.

“While this is changing there are areas where those groups – who contribute so much to the rich tapestry of football in this country – are not given the voice they deserve in important areas of the game.

“By signing up to the Football Leadership Diversity Code we can help our club achieve this across every level within our organisation – but also help change the thinking in a sport where the general consensus is that there are areas that lack genuine diversity in the game as a whole, but also within the communities which they serve.

“There are trailblazers and isolated examples, but we need to establish why certain pathways are blocked and investigate why talented people from diverse sections of society do not genuinely believe that they can reach those levels because of an inherent and historical perception of prejudice, despite having the necessary skills and abilities.

“Ultimately – and it is hard to be simplistic about the reasons – the football industry is cutting off hugely talented individuals who have the skills, knowledge, expertise, ability and experience to help drive clubs and the game forward, at a time when it needs it most.

“The challenge is to give those within these diverse talent pools the encouragement, belief and confidence that they can aspire to the level they have the ability to reach.”

He also paid tribute to Paul Elliott, chair of the FA’s Inclusion Diversity Board, and Edleen John, the FA’s Co-Partner for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, who have led the way in establishing the Code, adding, “Paul and Edleen have set out a clear and transparent plan to shape a better future for our game and they deserve every credit for leading the way on this.”

Rose Read, Albion’s head of people and culture, added, “The mood among those involved with the formation of the code is that this is far more than another conversation about this issue. There is a strong recognition that we must do things differently. Football has had this debate for a long time, and we have not moved the dial as much as we would have liked. Now is the time to get on and turn words into action.”