A charity dedicated to improving equal opportunities and diversity in the hospitality industry has been officially launched in London.

The One and All Foundation is backed by a board of Trustees, which includes Peter Lederer, chair of Gleneagles Hotel; David McHattie, chief executive of National Skills Academy; Michael Caines, director of Abode Hotels and Debrah Dhugga, former CEO of Seaham Hall, Serenity Spas and The Samling – now owned by von Essen hotels.

Stephen Timms, minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform, praised the initiative and said employers need to capitalise on the full potential of the diverse workforce. "The industry are already ahead of the curve, and have a great history of offering opportunities, so I'm confident it has a bright future ahead."

The initiative is a response to research indicating that the hospitaity workforce, is changing in its composition. According to the Diversity Works for London Sector Report, 2008, 44.1 per cent of employees working in the hotel and restaurant sector are BAME (Black, Asian or minority Ethnic). However, just two per cent of board directors working in the industry, and 6 per cent of middle management positions, are classed as having a BAME background.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "Fewer than 6 per cent of company directors are women and at the current rate of progress it will take another 73 years to have equal numbers of female directors of FTSE 100 companies and 200 years for equal numbers in Parliament."

Lederer, chair of the One and All Foundation said: "We are missing out on critical pools of talent currently working within our business. They will move on if we cannot understand and engage.

"This is not about positive discrimination or quotas, more red tape, or simply avoiding discrimination claims. It's about recognising talent, nurturing and developing it to give our industry the best workforce in the future."

The charity aims to develop the talents and address the industry's skills shortage by focusing on individuals from six 'strands' – age, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, ethnicity and disability.

The Foundation will aim to raise awareness and educate the industry through a series of workshops and seminars, as well as promoting role models in the industry and examples of good practice. It will also facilitate a reverse mentoring programme for talented individuals in the sector.