It will take place at St Mary’s Guildhall in the city and is being funded the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through Business Growth West Midlands as part of its Business Support Roadshow.

The event will explore how businesses can become more inclusive and diverse and reflective of the rich tapestry of communities in the city, creating more opportunities for people of all backgrounds.

It will also look at how this is not only the right thing to do socially but how it can boost the bottom line too.

Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Businesses have such a positive effect on the local region. They invest, they create jobs and drive forward the economy, which supports public services.

“But it goes beyond that. Really great businesses impact their communities in other ways too and I am a big believer in companies playing a leading role when it comes to key issues that affect us all.

“We have to be reflective of our communities and that means equality, diversity and inclusion is crucial for businesses of all sizes and sectors so we are, therefore, delighted to be working with Coventry City Council on this important event and would encourage as many businesspeople as possible to attend.”

Councillor Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, said: “Coventry is a really diverse city and there is much to celebrate – but it is really important that businesses reflect the communities they serve or are based within.  There is always learning to do about how we can be more inclusive and that’s why this session is so important and why I think it will be so well attended.”

Natasha Broomfield-Reid, of Diverse Matters, will be speaking at the event and says it makes social and economic sense.

She said: “I am really looking forward to the event to engage and meet local businesses to discuss the positive impacts of embedding diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 

“It really is fundamental to greater business success.

“Research has evidenced that by recruiting and retaining skilled diverse teams and implementing an inclusive culture, this enhances the performance of businesses.

“For teams to thrive and customers’ needs to be met embedding diversity and inclusion really is the key to an organisation's growth and success.  It is not a ‘nice thing’ to do or a ‘tick box’ exercise, it is measurable and impactful.”

For more information or to book a place go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/business-growth-harnessing-equality-diversity-inclusion-for-success-tickets-906675740547