Diversity Champions Network

Who is on the Network?

The Network is a coherent team of senior people who are passionate about equality and diversity. It includes board-level members from all main departments in the Civil Service who are well-placed to drive and speed up progress towards set diversity targets – and the wider diversity agenda in their departments and agencies.

Chaired by the overall Civil Service Diversity Champion, and overseen by the Cabinet Office, the Network enjoys the support and commitment from Permanent Secretaries and their Chief Executive equivalents.

What does the Network do?

DCN members have responsibility for leading on equality and diversity within their departments, including employment.

Overall accountability for success in diversity within individual departments and agencies rests with the Permanent Secretary Head of Departments and their Chief Executive equivalents.

However, as the Diversity Champions represent their Permanent Secretaries/Chief Executives and corporate boards, they are also accountable and responsible for driving forward work at departmental level.

Objectives

The Network has three key roles, which are to:

• maximise the value of lessons learned in individual departments, by sharing good practice and ensuring that it is implemented in the most effective ways
• support individuals to provide effective leadership on diversity in their organisation by helping them to keep up with the latest thinking and to find support from others in similar roles
• help drive behavioural and cultural change and articulate the business case for diversity across the Service.