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Cowshed Receives National Racial Diversity Mark

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Cardiff-based creative agency is first in Wales to be awarded Blueprint Ally status.

Cardiff based creative agency, Cowshed is one of only ten agencies across the UK to receive a diversity mark from The Blueprint. Cowshed joins Hope&Glory, Ketchum UK, CCgroup and Harvard as the latest to receive the award.

The Blueprint diversity mark helps organisations attract, retain and nurture diverse talent via a series of commitments aimed at encouraging diversity – from workplace culture to talent development to the boardroom. As a result it helps talented Black, Asian, Mixed Race and Ethnic Minority communications pros find employers committed to supporting them to achieve their career dreams.

The diversity mark launched in June 2020 alongside a research report published by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) which highlighted the lack of opportunities and unfair treatment faced by ethnic minority pros compared to their white colleagues.

In the most successful round of applications since the launch, Cowshed was awarded The Blueprint Ally status, impressing judges with its bold commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality.

Cowshed is also the only creative agency in Wales to have signed up to the UN Global Compact and its Ten Principles on Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti-Corruption. It provides pro bono work for Race Council Cymru and is a fully certified autism aware business.

Cowshed’s far-reaching Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic internship was recognised by the PRCA as the best internship in the UK and through its partnerships with recruiters, the agency ensures unsuccessful candidates are supported with free career advice.

 Vicki Spencer-Francis, Managing Director, Cowshed said:

“We applied for Blueprint status, in part to gain recognition of what we have achieved at Cowshed but in the main, this award is a statement of intent and commitment – not only for the future of our team and how we do business, but as a commitment to the part we play in helping to develop the industry.

“We’ve grown rapidly over the past three years and represent some phenomenal clients. It’s only right that our team, and the people we work with to deliver our award-winning campaigns are as diverse as the society we represent and speak to.  What’s more, we are more committed than ever to use our success to support talent at whatever level they may enter the industry.”

 Agencies completed a 40-question application form detailing their existing commitment to diversity. These were marked by an independent panel of judges: Henry Rowling (founder, Flying Cars innovation agency); Sasha Daly (Advocacy and Influencing Consultant); Olivia Danso (writer and Blueprint project manager) and Nyree Connell (healthcare policy manager and Blueprint strategy advisor).

Elizabeth Bananuka, Founder, BME PR Pros; Founder/CEO Blueprinted, said:

“In the midst of the BLM backlash, the latest round of Blueprinted organisations gave the judges and I something unexpected, hope. There was so much innovation, deep commitment, great leadership, bold targets, measurable results, transparency and accountability in their applications.

“Cowshed is a diversity powerhouse. The only comms or creative agency in Wales to have signed up to the UN Global Compact and its Ten Principles on Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti-Corruption, it’s a certified autism aware business, won accolades for its BAME Internship Programme, provides pro bono work for Race Council Wales and commits to producing inclusive and accessible work as well as an inclusive and diverse workplace. The only thing more remarkable than Cowshed’s commitment to diversity is its size. It is a small but powerful force for good. It’s a real honour to award the inspiring agency The Blueprint Ally status.”

For more information on Cowshed’s commitments to diversity and a fairer, better Wales, visit wearecowshed.co.uk/our-commitments

To find out more about The Blueprint and submit an application, visit: https://thisistheblueprint.co.uk/

Business News Wales