Employment lawyer and president of the Birmingham Law Society Alice Kinder has called on Birmingham businesses to look at how they can create workplace communities to attract and engage those who would traditionally avoid certain professions.
Speaking at ‘Inspiration Unlocked’ – an event organised by BM Caterers for Birmingham legal, finance, media, tech, logistics and consulting firms – Alice highlighted the city’s growing younger population amidst increasing unemployment rates and income inequality.
She discussed how Birmingham organisations need to review their workplace culture and create environments where people from diverse and lower socio-economic backgrounds are included and welcomed, particularly as one of the most diverse cities in the country. According to the most recent census, the city also has one of the UK’s youngest populations.
“We have a fantastically diverse population in Birmingham but with diversity can come disparity. Recent figures show that over 40% of Birmingham’s population live in the most deprived 10% of areas in the country. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that Birmingham has the third highest unemployment rate of any region,” said Alice.
“As an employment lawyer, I often see first-hand how these factors can interact. How businesses can be thriving, but how they also depend on their people. How businesses can set goals, but still need to recruit and retain the staff to achieve them.
“To continue growing and developing, it is important that we foster the positive workplace cultures that bring people together and encourage the social mobility that will generate diversity of thought. Our strength lies not only in our shared achievements, but in our collective commitment to the values that bind us.
“By ensuring that our workplaces make people feel included and part of a community, we can go a long way to ensuring that a person’s background does not impact what they go on to achieve.”
The invitation-only dinner was hosted at West Midlands Police Museum and attendees discussed how businesses can encourage staff to socialise during mealtimes to foster connections and a sense of community.
“By creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment, we can encourage collaboration and facilitate cultural exchange through food – it can play a huge role in promoting employee wellbeing, inclusivity and morale,” said Alice.
She also shared her thoughts on how community and connections allow people to integrate and contribute to a stronger and more compassionate society, ensuring that everyone has a chance to achieve their aspirations.
As well as being the youngest ever president of the Birmingham Law Society, Alice is a social mobility ambassador for the Law Society of England and Wales and was voted Greater Birmingham Legal Young Professional of the Year 2023. She also won the Rising Star award at the UK Social Mobility Awards 2023.
She added: “Fostering a sense of community through food can provide opportunities to many people in many ways. Whether it is creating a shared space for people to work together or take a break, facilitating cultural exchanges where we can foster a sense of belonging and learn about each other, or organising ways to give back to those in need, food can help us to build stronger relationships, promote inclusion, and improve morale within our workplaces.”
The dinner was designed and prepared by Mark Kempson, head chef at Michelin-starred Kitchen W8 in London and consultant chef to the catering business, supported by BM’s chef director Pete Redman and head of chef development Daryll Young.
