EDI / Inclusion

Changing the face of the marketing and communications sector for good

Part of our B-Corp commitment is to create sustainable societal change and impact the diversity of talent at all levels in the Marketing, PR, Communications and Sports Marketing sectors.

Over 25% of the f1 candidate portfolio comes from black, Asian, minority ethnic and under represented communities. See our candidate inclusion statistics here.

We are the co-founders of two of our industry’s most renowned inclusivity programmes NoTurningBack2020 and Back2Businessship Returners.

NoTurningBack2020, launched in 2016, aims to spearhead change in our sector for black, Asian and minority ethnic talent to not only enter into the sector but to remain within it and achieve top level positions.

The NTB2020 Ambassador team are all role models and rising stars. They are 1-5 years into their careers and help to inspire interest in Marketing, Communications, PR & Sports Marketing by showcasing their varied career paths inside the sector. They shine a light on black, Asian, minority ethnic success stories. They have each made a personal commitment to help with targeted messaging to young people about careers in our sector. Click here to find out more about putting yourself forward to be an Ambassador.  Click here to find out more about nominating someone from your company to be a NTB2020 young Ambassador.

Learn more about the NoTurningBack2020 Programmes and how to get involved  READ MORE

Back2Businessship Returners programme launched in 2013 and is now in its 11th year. Back2Businessship helps marketing and PR professionals return back to their careers after having taken time out for caring reasons. Our sector loses talent every year and this programme has helped over 200 people return back to their careers in the Marketing, PR & Sport Marketing sector.

The Rise of Returners – Join Liz Nottingham, Chair of Back2Businessship with  Sharon Lloyd-Barnes, Commercial Director & Inclusion Lead at the Advertising Association talking to Amanda Fone about 10 years of Back2Businessship – 300 Returners, 300 Experienced Hires and the impact Returners can have within your business. 

Find out about the programme and how to apply click HERE

Find out about the programme and how to become a 2024 Partner CompanyREAD MORE

Over the last decade f1 has continually invested in these social change programmes to help future proof the attraction and retention of high quality and diverse talent in our sector

 

EVENTS  – ‘Lets be Bolder about the Subject of Race’

Our next event will be in  June 2024, The Ambassadors’ Voice. Many black, Asian, minority ethnic professionals talk openly about their love of our sector but their lack of belief in being able to ‘develop their careers inside it’. If you are interested in attending please email us.

f1 Supports Inclusion for Positive Impactful Change

  • Women in Football is our Community Partner for NTB2020 and Back2businessship Returners programme
  • London Sport is our Charity Partner for NTB2020 and Back2businessship Returners programme
  • Since 2018 we have been corporate signatories of the Business in the Community programme ‘Race at Work’
  • We signed up to the CBI ‘Change the Race: Ratio’ campaign in October 2020, launched by the CBI
  • We are members of the Football Association Diversity Code launched in 2021
  • We champion Women on Boards to connect women with the right employers, to help them make the right decisions for their careers and to achieve board level
  • We are members of the REC Recruitment & Employment Confederation and our CEO is a Fellow
  • Members of BRIM (Black Representation in Marketing) committed to improving Black representation in marketing.

Inclusion at Entry Level

  • Successes include our Schools & Careers Outreach Programme,  Digital Campaign direct to  17-24 year olds to attract them into our sector & The Early Careers Job Zone (free to advertise). Read more
  • We support the Taylor Bennett Foundation. Read more
  • We advocate ‘Inspiring the Future’ Schools/Outreach talks. Read more
  • We joined forces with My Big Career, making change for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Read more

Trade/Members Associations, Community & Charity partnerships

  • We work alongside the REC, Advertising Association, CIM, The Marketing Society, the PRCA, the CIPR and ESA (European Sponsorship Association) especially through their ESA Sponsorship Diploma to support their inclusion and sustainability  initiatives.
  • The AA, CIM, ESA and the CIPR are long term partners to our Returners programme.
  • London Sport is a Charity partner to NoTurningBack2020 and Women in Football is a Community partner to Back2businessship and NoTurningBack2020.

I’ve worked in the sports marketing and sponsorship business for many years and f1 recruitment have always been there both for friendly advice, practical help and as a great connector of world class talent. Most recently we’ve re-engaged as a result of their work as a champion of diversity and inclusion – Amanda and her team continue to inspire action in our sector and are great supporters of the work I now do, both in my own business and as Chairman of The European Sponsorship Association.

- Andy Westlake