DEI backlash: Why silence is the biggest risk to reputation

The conversation around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is shifting and not in the way many leaders had hoped. In boardrooms across the UK and beyond, whispers of discomfort are getting louder. Leaders who once championed DEI are hesitating, worried they'll find themselves on the wrong side of a public backlash. From social media storms to politicised headlines, the climate feels more polarised, and suddenly, what once felt like progressive leadership now feels like a reputational minefield. However, retreating or staying silent isn't the safe option that many leaders think ...