Firms ‘rebranding’ diversity initiatives to avoid unwanted political attention

The Trump administration’s attack on diversity initiatives has resulted in some companies being less keen to celebrate inclusion work publicly. Composite: Getty Images/Guardian design

Senior figures in British business have described a chilling effect on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, saying they are being “rebranded” to avoid attracting unwanted political attention.

Five years after the murder of George Floyd in the US shone a spotlight on racial inequality, efforts to create a level playing field in the workplace are facing a rightwing backlash on both sides of the Atlantic.