IMI appoints new head of diversity task force

Endorsing its continued commitment to embrace Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) within the automotive sector, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has appointed Vijayacittā Harvey as interim head of the organisation’s diversity task force.

Established in March 2021 – led by IMI president, Professor Jim Saker and IMI chief operating officer, Lesley Woolley – the diversity task force set out to understand how the motor industry can be a more attractive place to work in for all and bring EDI to the forefront of automotive businesses.

Following the publication of the diversity task force Report earlier this year, Harvey has been appointed to work with the IMI to evolve the diversity task force. The working groups will advance the long-term vision for an increasingly diverse workforce across the sector.

Comments Harvey, “As the recruitment crisis continues, so does the importance of EDI within our industry. The need to drive both a culture-shift and behaviour change is essential to ensure that equity, diversity and inclusion is permanently top of the agenda, not just a sticking-plaster to cover the current skills gap. The publication of our report was merely the platform for change. The real work starts here. I feel extremely privileged to support the Task Force as we begin to make the tangible changes required to make the automotive sector a leader in the field of equity, diversity and inclusion.”

As part of its commitment to lead by example, the IMI will be expanding the diversity task force’s project teams and ensuring the integration of EDI into its own standard operations. To help spread the EDI message far and wide, Vijayacittā Harvey will also be reaching out within the industry to encourage even more external stakeholders to join the task force, share their ambitions and developments and learn from each other.

Diversity task force lead and IMI president, Professor Jim Saker adds,

“While our diversity task force Report reinforced some known perceptions within the industry, it identified that there are so many opportunities to make positive changes. We now have a wealth of research and baseline statistics on which to build a clearer picture of numerous issues. We will also be developing qualifications to support the sector workforce and encourage more diverse role models, attracting talented workers from across the population as we move into the future.”