The exterior of Lloyd’s of London is pictured in the City of London on March 30, 2017 (File | AFP)
London:
Two large British companies named in a slavery database have pledged to invest more in black, Asian and minority ethnic communities following global protests against racism.
The Greene King ad chain and the Lloyd’s of London insurance market were included in a database of slavery-related businesses compiled by University College London.
Greene King was founded in 1799 by Benjamin Greene, one of the 47,000 people who received compensation paid to slave owners when slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1833.
“It is inexcusable that one of our founders took advantage of slavery and opposed its abolition in the 1800s,” Greene King chief executive Nick Mackenzie said in a statement obtained Thursday by AFP. .
“Although it is part of our history, we are now focused on the present and the future. Today I am proud that we employ 38,000 people across the UK from all walks of life and that racism and there is no place for discrimination at Greene King, “said the CEO.
“We don’t have all the answers, which is why we take the time to listen and learn with all voices, including our team members and our charitable partners, as we strengthen our work on diversity and inclusion, “continued Mackenzie.
“We plan to make a substantial investment for the benefit of the BAME community and to support our racial diversity in the business as we focus on focused work in this area.”
A spokesperson for the company said it would be a permanent investment rather than a one-time donation.
The move comes a week after Lloyd’s of London’s insurance market apologized for its historic ties and launched a series of initiatives.
“Terrible and shameful”
“Recent events have highlighted the inequality that blacks have known for many years due to the systematic and structural racism that has existed in many aspects of society and has sparked difficult conversations that have been long overdue”, said the market in a statement. .
“At Lloyd’s, we understand that we cannot always be proud of our past. In particular, we are sorry for the role played by the Lloyd’s market in the slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries – an appalling and shameful period of English history, as well as ours. “
He added: “We will provide financial support to charities and organizations that promote the opportunities and inclusion of black and minority ethnic groups.”
The two companies’ decision comes after days of worldwide protests against the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, during an arrest by a white police officer in the United States.
Earlier this month, protesters in the port of Bristol in the south-west of England shot and killed a bronze statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston in the local port .
(This story has not been edited by GalacticGaming staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
