Watch a webinar we held on 29 January 2026 with Common Purpose and Makani Cambridge, who have been leading work to reimagine leadership in the environment sector and promote a more diverse and equitable sector. You’ll also learn about next steps and how you can get involved.
Read a report giving an overview of the Reimagining leadership in the environmental sector initiative. You can also find a summary of it here.
Despite increasing awareness, the environment sector remains one of the least diverse in the UK, with the 2024 RACE Report revealing that 4.5% of staff in UK environmental charities identify as global majority, compared with 18% of the working age population. There have been welcome efforts to provide new and accessible routes into entry level employment but no equivalent focus on how we ensure that leadership talent is recognised and supported.
Over the last twelve months we have been working with Common Purpose and Makani Cambridge to work with current and aspiring leaders to examine barriers to progression, co-design practical pathways and processes, and develop viable, scalable business models to support global majority professionals to reach and thrive in senior leadership roles.
The panel includes:
- Reem Assil, Makani Cambridge
- Azzam Al Kassir, Makani Cambridge
- Alison Coburn, Common Purpose
- Simon Wightman, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Outline of the webinar
00:00:00 Welcome and Introductions
00:03:06 Background and Overview
00:04:47 Project Context and Approach
00:33:47 Q&A
Get in touch
We hope you enjoy watching the webinar. We are keen to hear your views and feedback. To share your thoughts, or if you'd like to learn more about this work and to how to get involved, send an email to communications@esmeefairbairn.org.uk.
