It’s been one year since the Black Leadership Job Board (BLJB) officially launched, and what a year it’s been!
Black Leadership Job Board (BLJB) began in 2023 as a free trial job board, and in those early days, hundreds of companies joined, posting thousands of jobs and showing an incredible appetite for a platform dedicated to improving diversity in leadership. However, as we transitioned to a paid model to ensure the long-term sustainability of the BLJB in March 2024, we’ve faced significant challenges in getting organisations to follow through on their DEI commitments.
While this past year hasn’t been without its challenges, it’s also been full of achievements that demonstrate the BLJB’s potential as a movement for change.
2024 Statistics
In our first year as a fully launched platform, Black Leadership Job Board has:
- Welcomed 115 companies committed to improving leadership diversity.
- Attracted 2,000+ candidates, a clear indication that Black talent is out there, ready and eager to step into leadership roles. But without opportunities being highlighted within organisations willing to enact real change, that talent risks being overlooked.
- Seen 618 jobs posted and 365 applications submitted — figures that reflect the challenge of driving sustained engagement from organisations in a competitive market.
- Hosted 35 introduction meetings with employers eager to learn how the BLJB can support their DEI goals.
Milestones
Tegan’s Journey: Nurturing Future Talent
Her creativity and hard work have been instrumental in shaping the BLJB’s identity, and her professional growth has been nothing short of inspiring. By building Tegan’s skills, we’re not just working towards the BLJB’s mission — we’re investing in the future of inclusive leadership.
“Entering the busy world of marketing has been an amazing journey. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved with the Black Leadership Job Board so far, but I believe there’s still so much potential for it to grow and thrive even more.”
Tegan Dowe, BLJB Marketing Apprentice
Forging Strong Partnerships
This year, we’ve had the privilege of partnering with two outstanding organisations, Black Leaders in Healthcare and the UK Black Business Show in order to widen our profile with Black talent across the UK:
- Black Leaders in Healthcare is passionate about breaking down barriers that prevent Black professionals from advancing in their careers. They connect talented Black individuals with leadership opportunities in the UK healthcare sector, partnering with employers who are committed to inclusive and fair hiring practices.
- The UK Black Business Show is all about celebrating and promoting businesses and leaders who inspire more Black men and women to make a positive impact on the economy and the world. With their social reach of up to 60,000+ candidates, the event offers a brilliant opportunity to gain significant exposure to a diverse and highly skilled pool of candidates. It’s a space where connections are made, ideas are shared, and Black excellence is championed.
These partnerships not only amplify our reach but also help create platforms where Black talent is celebrated, and opportunities are brought to the forefront.
Ongoing Collaboration with Black Leadership Group
Over the past year, we’ve held multiple strategy meetings as a team to refine the BLJB’s vision and develop actionable steps to achieve it. One of the highlights of our collaboration was attending BLG’s annual conference, where we ran a workshop on allyship, shared the story of our partnership, and discussed the journey leading up to the BLJB’s launch.
Through this collaboration, we’ve reinforced the idea that the BLJB is more than a job board — it’s a movement to challenge unconscious bias, dismantle systemic barriers, and create real, lasting change in recruitment.
“The Black Leadership Job Board is a manifestation of how we can all help to change the dial on Black leadership in the UK – by utilising the job board employers are demonstrating a commitment to taking action to address the imbalance that exists”
Clare Keniry, Morgan Hunt Board Director and Head of D&I
Challenges
Despite these successes, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges. Since transitioning from a free trial to a paid model, we’ve seen some drop off in employer engagement. While many organisations set ambitious DEI targets, fewer are willing to invest in the tools that can help them achieve those goals.
This hesitation highlights a broader issue: companies often express their support for diversity initiatives but fall short when it comes to taking meaningful action. The BLJB is designed to be part of the solution, and we’ll support organisations to step up and put their money where their mouth is.
"It’s been a challenging year, but also one filled with progress. Even though we haven’t reached all the targets we set, I believe the Black Leadership Job Board offers is the way forward to challenge unconscious bias and dismantle systemic barriers in recruitment. Change is never easy, but we’re determined to keep going."
Catherine Wynn, Morgan Hunt Marketing Manager
Looking ahead
Entering 2025, we remain optimistic about Black Leadership Job Board’s potential, knowing it’s a truly sustainable driver for change in terms of increasing Black and ethnic minority in leadership. Our goals for the coming year include:
- Engaging more companies and encouraging them to invest in long-term DEI solutions.
- Attracting more candidates and offering even greater opportunities.
- Partnering with like-minded organisations to amplify our impact & engage with Black talent across the UK.
- Continuing to position BLJB as a movement for change, more than a job board.
We can’t do this alone. We want BLJB to inspire organisations to take collective action and create workplaces that reflect the diversity of our society. Whether you’re an organisation or a candidate, take action now to be part of this journey.
- Organisations: Create an account or book an introduction call to learn how BLJB can support your DEI goals.
- Candidates: Sign up to hear about the latest jobs with companies committed to supporting Black and ethnic minority professionals.
From Generation to Generation: Anti-racist Thought & Action ®
Make sure to sign up to Black Leadership Group’s annual conference on Thursday 20th March, held on the eve of the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The conference will bring together voices from five generations across the UK and online worldwide to advance Anti-racist Thought & Action® and accelerate progress toward an anti-racist society.
Why Attend?
Through inspiring keynotes, panels, roundtables, and showcases, you’ll gain insight into combating racism in workplaces, education, and communities, while connecting with trailblazers like Professor David Olusoga OBE and leaders from major global professional bodies, including the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and Google for Education.
Don’t miss this chance to engage in powerful conversations and drive real change. Get your tickets now to be part of this movement for equity and inclusion!