Business leader Moni Mannings has been appointed to a newly created role aimed at enhancing inclusivity within the UK’s honors system and broadening its reach to a more diverse range of communities.
The Cabinet Office has established a “diversity and outreach committee,” with Ms. Mannings serving as its independent chair for a five-year term.
Earlier this year, BBC analysis revealed that only 6% of higher honors were awarded to individuals in the north of England, and a mere 4% to those from working-class backgrounds.
“The honors system stands as one of our nation’s most prominent mechanisms, not only for celebrating individual achievement but also for promoting the values of our society,” stated Ms. Mannings.
“Recognizing excellence from all walks of life is more than a symbolic gesture; it is how we articulate our national narrative.”
“I am honored to contribute to ensuring that the honors system accurately reflects and celebrates the rich tapestry of our society.”
Ms. Mannings currently serves as an independent director for the Co-operative Group and the Land Securities Group. She also co-founded the Empowering People of Colour business network.
She has previously discussed the challenges she faced as a senior leader in her career: “There were very few women, and certainly no women of color.”
“Beyond that, there were very few people from working-class backgrounds, which felt like an even more significant barrier.”
The newly formed committee will focus on encouraging a wider range of nominations from underrepresented regions and communities. It will also advise existing honors committees and the government.
An analysis of a previous New Year honors list indicated that over 60% of recipients of “higher” awards, such as Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and knighthoods/damehoods, resided in London and the south-east of England, which accounts for 27% of the UK population.
Specific disparities, such as the absence of knighthoods for rugby league compared to rugby union and other sports, had prompted accusations of unfairness.
This was addressed in the recent King’s Birthday Honours in June, when Billy Boston became the first rugby league knight in the sport’s 130-year history, following a campaign that criticized the honors system for perceived snobbery against a northern, working-class sport.
“It is a historic injustice that a sport so deeply rooted in so many communities has waited so long to receive this recognition,” remarked Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the time of Boston’s award.
Ms. Mannings’ new role aligns with Sir Keir’s strategy to make the honors system more representative of the “length and breadth of the UK” and ensure that awards are “based on merit, regardless of background.”
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