Bristol’s Race Equality H.R. Data Product
About the Race Equality Data Product
First published in 2017, Bristol’s Race Equality Data Product was the nation’s first whole-city snapshot of race representation across multiple sectors. The data product is an evidence-based tool, designed to drive change. It is a holistic approach to understanding workforce diversity across some of Bristol’s largest employers. The product transparently shows how major public sector agencies in Bristol are performing in diversifying their workforces for different ethnicities.
This multi-agency initiative drives fairer, more inclusive workplaces. It reflects the One City approach—collaborating across sectors to tackle major challenges.
The first version won the ‘Transparency Award’ at the prestigious Global Equality & Diversity Awards, praised as “the best example of published data and transparent information across business and the public sector on organisational make up, staff, and/or customer service.”
Now in its fourth iteration, spanning eight years, the data product has evolved to provide deeper insights into progress made—and where collective action is still needed. It highlights both achievements and challenges, helping organisations pinpoint areas for improvement and collaborate on solutions that advance racial equity across the city.
The Race Equality Strategic Leaders believe that a representative workforce is essential for fair and effective public services. By sharing data transparently and working collaboratively, we’re building a Bristol where everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive.
Bristol’s Race Equality H.R. Data Product: Fourth Iteration (2025)
A City-Wide Commitment to Transparency, Insight and Action
- Access the digital data dashboard here.
- Highlight report of collective public sector data (due to be published January 2026)
- Multi-agency action plan (due to be published January 2026)
The 2025 iteration of Bristol’s Race Equality H.R. Data Product marks a significant milestone in our journey towards a more inclusive workforce. Capturing data from over 56,000 employees- representing around 22% of Bristol’s economically active population.
With each iteration, the scope of the data product has expanded. For version four, we’ve taken a bold step forward by collecting data in a more disaggregated format, allowing for a richer understanding of how ethnicity and intersecting identities shape workplace experiences across Bristol.
For the first time, participating organisations have submitted:
- Detailed ethnicity categorisation
- Ethnicity pay gap data
- Recruitment and employment data
- Intersectional data
These enhancements reveal fresh insights into how different ethnic groups experience work in Bristol’s public sector, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges.
Turning Data into Action
To address these gaps, a multi-agency action plan has been developed with a clear monitoring framework for embedding action. Governance and oversight is provided by the Race Equality Strategic Leaders’ Group, ensuring accountability and sustained progress.
Previous Versions of the Product
Bristol’s Race Equality HR Data Product 2021
Bristol’s Race Equality HR Data Product 2019
Bristol’s Race Equality HR Data Product 2017
Request a PDF copy: Equalities@bristol.gov.uk