The EMpower Ethnic Minority Role Model List, supported by Yahoo Finance, showcases business leaders who are breaking down barriers at work and working hard to smash the ceiling for ethnic minorities in the UK, Ireland, Europe, and people of colour in the United States and Canada.
Raj first entered the list in 2018 where he ranked 86, in 2019 he ranked 44 and in 2020 Raj is now listed at number 31 out of the 100 executives listed.
Raj commented: “With equality issues right up there in the global agenda through the Black Lives Matter movement, it is more important than ever that we shine a spotlight on ethnic minority leaders, both present and future.
“It is a great privilege to be included in the list once again. As a diverse group of leaders, from across all areas of business, we share a common goal to act as role models and inspire young talent from under-represented BAME communities. We have a key role to play to show that while barriers do still exist, they are being broken down and can be overcome."
In addition to his role as senior vice president, human resources, for the Sodexo’s global corporate services business, Raj is the global executive sponsor for Sodexo’s ethnicity workstream within the organisation’s global culture and origins advisory board.
Through his role on the advisory board, Raj encouraged Sodexo’s regional leadership committee for the Sodexo UK & Ireland to sign up to the EMpower Ethnic Pay mandate. Raj also sits on the steering committee of the Warwick University Business School Mentoring programme and is on the Board of Trustees at Barnado’s.
Founder & CEO of EMpower, Suki Sandhu OBE, said: “Those on the EMpower Senior Executive List are leading by example and blazing a trail for others to follow. They have not only achieved success in their own careers but have made it their mission to make change real happen within their own organisations and across wider society”
All of the ethnic minority leaders were nominated by peers and colleagues. Nominations were then reviewed by EMpower’s judging panel, including the head of Yahoo Finance UK, Lianna Brinded.
Each person was scored on the influence of their role, their impact on ethnic minority inclusion inside and outside the workplace, and their business achievements.
EMpower is one of three initiatives from INvolve, a membership organisation which champions diversity and inclusion in business. The other two are OUTstanding and HERoes.
The full list can be found here: https://empower.involvepeople.org/