The committee, which is open to all ICOMIA members, has been formed in response to requests from members and in an effort to raise the profile of this topic with reports showing that increasing diversity not only reinforces greater social responsibility, but can also drive growth and innovation¹.

ICOMIA President Darren Vaux said “this is a hugely important step forward from a diversity perspective but it also aims to increase the cultural and social economic relevance of the leisure marine industry”.

One of the first areas of discussion for the committee is addressing the lack of diversity data for the industry. Committee chair Melanie Symes said “gathering data is of course a primary and fundamental requirement, and so one of the tasks for the ICOMIA Diversity Committee will be to commission a study to determine a baseline and obtain insights. This will help create indicators to measure progress”.

The committee’s immediate objectives are to:

1. Conduct a comprehensive industry assessment to obtain a representation of workforce gender and age structures, in conjunction with Soundings Trade Only.
2. Identify barriers to greater diversity.
3. Gather examples of good practice in the industry.
4. Develop positive roles models and thought leaders to shift perspectives.