Less than 10% of #Eventprofs are from Black, ASIAn or underrepresented ethnic Minorities.
We aim to change that.
Funded by leading event industry professionals, The REACh Events Scholarship has been established to increase diversity in the Events, MICE & Hospitality sectors.
Advisory BoarD
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Robert Kenward
Director​
jigsaw talent solutions
“Only 3.5%* of our industry is from a Black or minority ethnic background, whilst 6%* is from an Asian background, and although I have been a recruiter and eventprof for over 20 years, I can count on two hands the number of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic event people I have worked with at a c-suite level.
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Encouraged by Martin Fullard and Jonathon Sibley, the initiative was created because I wanted to take action and achieve something that would have a lasting and tangible impact on our industry
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I reached out to friends of mine (Gabrielle Austen Browne) and Priya Narain who are experts with EDI and next gen talent, to help set up the programme and get us moving in the right direction.
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The programme has since grown into more than I could ever have imagined and I'm so grateful to work with such amazing people who are committed to actionable and measurable outcomes for POC in the sector"
Rummanah Promi
MMU Events Management Student
“Joining the advisory board is much more than a title- it's the next step in a journey that started with receiving a scholarship, followed by the honour of becoming an ambassador. I've always said that if I were ever in a position to give back and help others like me, I would do it wholeheartedly. This opportunity allows me to do exactly that. I'm excited to contribute strategically and help shape a future that makes a meaningful difference.”
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Anupa White
co-founder & director​
principal. global events
"I started my journey in events over 35 years ago, at a time when there were very few people of colour in our industry — and even fewer in leadership roles.
This is why I’m passionate about driving racial diversity and cultural inclusivity, and the REACH Events Scholarship is a powerful platform to change that. It opens doors for talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, providing the opportunities, networks, and confidence they need to thrive.
As a REACH Director and member of the advisory board, I’m committed to championing these values, supporting scholarship recipients, and helping shape a more inclusive and innovative industry for the future."
Samantha Salisbury
director​
Jonsam Events
I am originally from Sri Lanka and moved to the UK at the age to 5 due to a civil war and ended up making the UK my home!
I've been very fortunate to have been in the events industry for over 25 years (time flies) and always had some incredible bosses & mentors who have supported my career growth.
Not everyone is this lucky so very excited excited to be on the advisory board for the REACH Events Scholarship (Race, Ethnicity And Cultural Heritage).
Nadu Placca Rodriguez
Director of Global Events & Experiences, The Zoo
“I’m proud to join REACH as an ambassador because representation in the events industry is essential. REACH is creating real, tangible pathways for talented young people from underrepresented backgrounds, and I’m committed to helping open more doors and build a more inclusive future for our sector - and the young people who want to be a part of it.”
JANINE
hART
Managing Director at Pure Communications Group
“Joining the Reach advisory board is an opportunity to help open doors and break down the systemic barriers that have held underrepresented communities back for too long. I believe in creating space where diverse voices are not only heard but celebrated, and where people can thrive as their authentic selves. Reach’s mission to empower and elevate Black, Asian, and other underrepresented talent in the events industry speaks to my core values. Together, we can create an industry that reflects the richness of the world we live in.”
What a REACH Scholar has to say
What Some of our donors Say
Dale Parmenter
CEO of DRPG
“Our people have always been the core of our business model and we pride ourselves on our family culture at DRPG .
However, it didn’t take statistics to see the issue in front of us, in our teams, our suppliers and venues across the industry landscape. The lack of ethnic minority representation is obvious, and we need to work together to make a noticeable difference.
We are now invested in the REACH programme as part of our diversity and inclusion efforts which will be a fantastic driver for this industry.”
Michael Gietzen
ceo, Identity
“Not only is the programme a fantastic opportunity for us to ‘give back’ and begin the journey towards evening the playing field, it also gives us the ability to connect with and encourage future talent from a diverse range of backgrounds.
At Identity, we believe that to truly deliver meaningful events with impact, we need to work towards our workforce composition which reflects our client base. Our commitment to REACH will not be purely financial; we also intend to give students on the programme the opportunity to work with Identity during and beyond their degree course.
We are excited about the relationships we’ll build and the futures we can kick off.”
The REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) Events Management scholarship aims to increase the representation of young people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds on BA (Hons) Events Management degree programmes
How you can help
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A tax deductible gift commitment of £5,000 per year for three years will fund an Events Management scholarship for the entirety of the Scholar’s degree programme. Your support would fund activities that directly benefit the students. You maybe able to take advantage of tax-effective giving as a private individual or corporate donor.
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While financial support is vital, it cannot on its own deliver the full benefits that disadvantaged students can gain from higher education – we hope that supporters would also play an active role in the recipients’ development and
integration into the working environment. ​​​
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Companies that are interested in pledging and making a positive, long-term impact to diversity and inclusion in the industry can contact Robert Kenward at robert@recruitmentprof.com for more information.
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Our University Partners
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MEET THE REACH AMBASSADORS
Roeleen Johnson
Head of Account Management & Implementation, hotel and travel solutions
“I’m proud to join REACH as an ambassador because representation in the events industry is essential. REACH is creating real, tangible pathways for talented young people from underrepresented backgrounds, and I’m committed to helping open more doors and build a more inclusive future for our sector - and the young people who want to be a part of it.”
Cherise Scotland
People and Culture Manager, emc3
“I have joined Reach because I believe in breaking down barriers and creating real opportunities for underrepresented talent in our industry. Supporting this initiative means investing in the future of events, a future that’s diverse, inclusive, and rich with potential. It’s more than giving back; it’s about paving the way forward.”
Diana Frederiksen
Head of Business Development, Excel London
“I want to join REACH because I believe in the power of representation and access. As a woman of mixed race, and with my “Future Leader” hat on , I’m passionate about inspiring the next generation of event professionals and promoting a more diverse and accessible industry for all. I’ve always championed young people entering and staying in events and promoting it as a viable career choice. REACH aligns with my commitment to creating a more."
David
Ogiste
Nobody's
Cafe
"When I founded Nobody's Cafe, I wanted to help showcase what's possible for people of colour in an industry in need of more diversity. So, it's an absolute honour to be a REACH Ambassador and help promote their event management scholarship - they help bring more incredible people from underrepresented ethnic minorities into the events industry and I'm in full support."