For those that don’t know me, I’m Martin, the COO here at FINTRAIL. I have chosen to write something about Black History Month, something which I have to admit I was not previously fully aware of and that has only been a more recent focus for me. Before I give an indication of what I want to share, to celebrate and understand the impact of black heritage and culture, I thought I should describe how I have approached diversity and what it means to me and my role.
Since joining FINTRAIL I have been learning from my colleagues and have developed a greater understanding of diversity and the value and impact it brings. My role is to help build and scale our internal structures and processes. Supporting diversity is one of FINTRAIL’s key culture pillars. This focus is employed internally from our recruitment and working practices and the interactions we have that foster team development, to our external work with clients ensuring we are conscious not to introduce bias and remain inclusive.
In terms of Black History Month, we believe celebrating the contributions of [people of colour] and promoting diversity and inclusion should not be limited to October, but should be woven into our activities all year round. Having said that, Black History Month provides a time to amplify that message and to take stock and refocus our efforts for the rest of the year. We also believe we should use Black History Month to do more than celebrate the achievements of a small number of well-known figures, but to focus on the contributions of [people of colour] in every area throughout our society. This also helps us see the importance of the efforts each of us can make, and how every sector, including anti-financial crime, needs to take stock to continually challenge racism and promote diversity and inclusion.
As part of this approach, we have a company-wide Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) strategy which ensures each team member has personal accountability in reducing racism and other forms of discrimination. The DEI strategy has been delivered externally through blog posts raising awareness and discussing areas we should consider when working within anti-financial crime. Gemma hosted the FinCrime Spotlight podcast where the whole of Season 2 was devoted to racial equality and diversity in FinCrime, gaining perspectives from anti-financial crime leaders from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. FINTRAIL also collaborated with ACAMS to provide 30 BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) scholarship places on their newest certification, the Certified AML FinTech Compliance Associate (CAFCA). We are also exploring plans to offer internships for BAME school leavers who are interested in working within the financial services sector.
When reflecting on what I personally draw from an understanding of black history, given my own history in the military I cannot help but think of those within the Commonwealth who played a key part in both wars and post-conflict reconstruction, including the Windrush generation’s contribution to post-WWII Britain. It is clear to see the value of the efforts of people from around the globe, and how they gave their support during and after the First and Second World Wars. By showing some examples here, I hope to shed more light on the commitment many made (1).
Lieutenant Walter Tull 1888–1918
Walter Tull was the first ever black officer in the British Army and one of Britain’s first black professional footballers.
Walter was born in Folkestone, Kent, one of six children. His father was the son of a slave and had come to Britain from Barbados. By the time he was nine, Walter’s parents had both died and he was moved to an orphanage with his brother, Edward. While there, Walter showed a talent for football and started playing for local amateur side, Clapton FC. He was scouted by Tottenham Hotspur and joined them in July 1909, playing for them until he transferred to Northampton Town in October 1911.
In 1914, he enlisted with the 17th (1st) Football Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment and fought in World War One, promoting to the rank of Sergeant in 1916, and fighting in the Battle of the Somme. In December of that year he returned home having contracted trench fever. Once he had recovered, he was sent to the officer training school at Gailes, Scotland. Walter was commissioned and sent to the Italian Front in May 1917.
He led his men in the Battle of Piave and was mentioned in dispatches for his “gallantry and coolness under fire”. In 1918, he was transferred to France.. Walter was killed in action on 25 March during the Spring Offensive, near the village of Favreuil in the Pas-de-Calais. He commanded such friendship and loyalty that several of his men risked their own lives to recover his body. However, they had to abort the attempts under the heavy gunfire and advance of the enemy. Sadly, after the fighting, Walter’s body could not be found and he has no known grave, although he is commemorated with honour on the Arras Memorial in France. In 1999, Northampton Town F.C. unveiled a memorial to Walter at its Sixfields Stadium.
Lance Corporal Connie Mark 1923–2007
Connie Mark (née Macdonald) was born on 21 December 1923 in Rollington Town, Kingston, Jamaica. Her heritage came from all over the world; she was part Scottish, part Indian, part Lebanese, and part Jamaican. Connie was well educated, and came from a family that strongly supported the Royal family. When she left school she trained as a secretary.
n 1943, at the age of 19, Connie joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) of the British Army, working as a medical secretary in the British military hospital in Jamaica with the Royal Army Medical Corps during WWII. She achieved the rank of Lance Corporal, but felt she was not paid correct wages because of racial discrimination. After Connie retired from military life she continued to fight for proper recognition of the role played by Caribbean servicewomen.
Connie moved to Britain in 1954 where she became active in her West London community. She formed the Gladiola Community Club, was treasurer to the Commission for Racial Equality, and was a founding member of the Mary Seacole (2) Memorial Association. She received a British Empire Medal for meritorious service in 1991 and was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1993.
If you are interested in joining the FINTRAIL team or want to learn more about our efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity within anti-financial crime, please check out the rest of the website or get in touch with me or one of the team to learn more.
Footnotes:
(1) Courtesy of the MOD Medium blog
(2) Mary’s story is also remarkable - Mary Seacole Trust
Banner photo: THE SOMME OFFENSIVE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1916 : The British West Indies Regiment in camp on the Albert - Amiens Road, September 1916. By Ernest Brooks - This is photograph Q 1202 from the collections of the Imperial War Museums (collection no. 1900-09), Public Domain.