Awogbenle makes AFC Bournemouth EDI group

Nigerian Author and Policy Professional, Oluwaseun Awogbenle, recently participated in an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Focus Group for Premier League football club AFC Bournemouth.

Awogbenle who is a master’s student in Sustainable Economic Development at Bournemouth University, is one of the Students from Bournemouth University Business School (BUBS) that were selected to engage with the Premier League football club.

The AFC Bournemouth EDI Strategy is part of the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard (PLEDIS), which provides a framework for clubs to drive changes in EDI.

Clubs are now developing this aspect of their work across all areas of their organisation and as part of this move AFC Bournemouth asked students to contribute towards the development of several of their policies in this area.

The participants who were drawn from across BUBS, reviewed a number of draft policy documents and provided feedback on the policies.

As a part of the visit, participants also had the opportunity to visit AFC Bournemouth for a tour of the stadium, getting to visit the dressing rooms and taking a seat in the dugout.
Speaking on the project, Awogbenle said “it was a huge honour to join Premier League club AFC Bournemouth, for a focus group on EDI to review some of the Club’s policies. The effort is part of the PLEDIS,which provides a framework for Premier league clubs to drive changes in EDI.

“I am delighted by the opportunity to contribute ideas, make input and share experiences from the lens of an ethnic minority, to make the overall process more diverse. I am also deeply encouraged to see the commitment of AFC Bournemouth to leverage the power of the badge to make change, encourage love and support for everyone. I am confident that with efforts like this, no one will be left behind.”

Head of EDI & Engagement at AFC Bournemouth, Hannah Powis, said, “We thoroughly enjoyed having the group of students participate in this workshop. They were engaged and gave some really interesting insights into how we can better improve some of our HR policies. We very much look forward to doing something like this again in the future.”

Awogbenle is a Nigerian Author, Development and Public Policy Professional, Communications and Brand Strategist, Writer and Newspaper Columnist and Youth Advocate.
Over the years, he has had the opportunity to make critical contributions to national development, through his competencies in media, communication and brand strategy. He has years of experience implementing communications strategy across key sectors of the economy, notably capital markets, power, real estate and supply chain management.