B&Q praised in ethnic job study

B&Q, the Kingfisher-owned DIY group, has outshone other British retailers in a survey of ethnic minority employment.

The store group has climbed from number 42 to number seven and has 'achieved the most progress' among all the businesses surveyed by Race for Opportunity.

B&Q social responsibility director Ray Baker said that the percentage of employees from ethnic minorities had climbed from 6 per cent in 2001 to more than 7 per cent last year. Of those, 15 per cent are operating at management level.

Race for Opportunity chairman Allan Leighton said: 'Communities equal profitable customers and potential employees. If you rely on traditional perceptions of these groups, you limit your pool of talent and target market.'

Lloyds TSB, West Bromwich Building Society and BT topped the benchmarking survey.