Asos has struck a new partnership as it looks to ensure its leadership becomes more diverse.
The fast fashion retailer is working with culture-changing business Fashion Minority Report (FMR) as it looks to reach its goal of having 15% ethnic minority representation at every leadership level by 2030.
It is supporting FMR projects aimed at giving talented young people from a range of backgrounds to develop careers in fashion. Asos staff are, for example, involved in mentoring students, while the company now has three paid placement students in its commercial team and has also donated £20,000 to support FMR projects such as its summer school.
Kamara-May Coleman, design intern at Asos and Fashion Minority Report member, says: “The Fashion Minority Report and Asos partnership has been an important stepping stone for launching my career. I’ve been given access to the best resources and mentors, which has provided invaluable exposure to the inner workings of the commercial fashion industry and opportunities and experiences any emerging fashion creative would dream of.”
Daniel Peters, founder of Fashion Minority Report, says: “It’s important that we look back on 2020 as the year that the world came together to stop failing marginalised voices. We must commit to moving beyond conversation and implement measurable change that reduces the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion globally. Working with the Asos team has already been an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing us to collectively foster greater representation, diversity, and inclusion for emerging talent from underrepresented communities. I look forward to growing our partnership in the new year.”
Asos is committed to improving diversity across its business, having set new diversity targets within its 2030 Fashion with Integrity goals last year. Under its Be Diverse goal, the company aims to reach over 15% ethnic minority representation at every leadership level by 2030.
Seani Armitage, corporate responsibility manager at Asos, says: “Driving diversity, equity, and inclusion across every aspect of Asos and the wider sector is fundamental to achieving our purpose of ensuring everyone has the confidence to be whoever they want to be. We’re thrilled to be working with FMR as part of our goal to help close the gap between the industry and marginalised and under-represented communities as we work to diversify the fashion sector’s workforces.”
Asos is ranked Top500 in RXUK Top500 research.
