Trading Standards professionals recognised for Race & Equalities work

Posted 20/10/21

Three trading standards professionals have been recognised for their important work supporting race and equalities in the trading standards profession. 

Tendy Lindsay founded, and Valerie Simpson, and Giles Speid supported the establishment of the CTSI Race & Equalities Working Group in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. The murder was a catalyst for discussions about diversity and equality in the profession, leading to the establishment of the group and the work that followed. The group was set up in October 2020, and CTSI London Branch formed its own Race & Equalities Working Group to mirror these efforts throughout London in December 2020. 

Both working groups adhere to the following mission statement:

- actively monitor equalities data through workplace surveys, analyse the results and make recommendations

- initially focus on BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) businesses to improve engagement and support the communities they serve

- drive cultural change in the trading standards community and provide a professional forum to discuss lived experiences around diversity, and to facilitate integrated low or no cost training for the community on unconscious bias, other cultures, and protected characteristics under the Equalities Act 2010.

All three individuals proved vital to this work and continue to play crucial roles in moving forward CTSI's goals of developing race and equalities matters in the trading standards profession.

Tendy Lindsay, Chair of the CTSI Race & Equalities Working Group, said:

"Firstly, I'd like to thank and acknowledge the vital work of Christopher Armstrong supporting the establishment of the working groups. Chris has supported diverse communities within the profession for decades. He goes above and beyond to support our work to make the trading standards profession welcoming for all. 

"I also want to thank Kiran Seyan for the excellent support she gave us at the foundation of the groups and the work she continues to undertake to support them.

"Finally, I would not be the person I am today without the influence of my first Chief Officer, Ed Chaplin, then of the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Ed taught me the importance of being bigger than your job and that we must all try and make a positive difference in the world. He was and is a trading standards professional ahead of his time and a true ally of diverse communities and social change."

Valerie Simpson and Giles Speid said: "We would like to thank the CTSI London Branch for nominating us and thank all of the contributors to the cause of equality and inclusion, many who remain unsung heroes and allies."

CTSI Chief Executive, John Herriman, said:

“Tendy, Valerie and Giles have done groundbreaking work to drive the profile of the importance of race and equalities in the trading standards profession. The murder of George Floyd brought into sharp focus how much still needs to be done to tackle prejudice in society and this is something we are taking very seriously at CTSI, acknowledging the challenge of where we need to do things differently, but recognising that by working together we can make real changes that will ultimately benefit not just the profession, but also the consumers we protect. 

"This important work means fairness and equality will drive changes within the trading standards profession and ensure that we are representative of the communities we are so proud to serve.’

ENDS

Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)

CTSI is a training and membership organisation that has represented the interests of the Trading Standards profession since 1881 nationally and internationally. We aim to raise the profile of the profession while working towards fairer, better informed and safer consumer and business communities. CTSI's members are engaged in delivering frontline trading standards services in local authorities and in businesses. www.tradingstandards.uk

CTSI Press Office: [email protected], 01268 582240

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