The Race to the Top

A New Statesman ‘most anticipated title of the year’

‘Compelling.’ David Lammy MP

‘Refreshing,’ Pragya Agarwal

A powerful intervention roundly debunking the myth of progress in racial equality — particularly in the workplace — and offering a blueprint for the future.
Have you ever wondered why, as Britain becomes more diverse, so many of our leaders come from the same narrow pool? Can it be acceptable in 2023 that there are no ethnic minority chief constables, only one CEO in the top 50 NHS Trusts and no permanent secretaries in the civil service?

Nazir Afzal knows what it’s like to break the glass ceiling, challenge prejudice and shake up predominantly white institutions. Born in Birmingham to first generation Pakistani immigrants, he was the first Muslim to be appointed as a Chief Crown Prosecutor and the most senior Muslim lawyer in the Crown Prosecution Service.

His insights into the UK’s relationship with race and power have driven him to demand answers to an age old question around Britain’s diversity failings: why does ethnic minority talent continue to be side-lined? Deploying bristling polemic and presenting an ambitious blueprint to unlock Britain’s hidden potential, this book hears from high-profile ethnic minority leaders to discover the hurdles they had to overcome and what changes are needed to make a difference.

Containing interviews with leaders across all sectors, Nazir provides the most detailed examination to date of the prejudice holding our leading institutions and industries back. In doing so it forcefully confronts stale leadership orthodoxies and argues that power in Britain does not have to look exactly the same as it always has done. It’s time to welcome the new wave of diverse leadership talent that Britain is crying out for

“'In Britain, talent has always lost out to privilege. Nazir Afzal's compelling book challenges our country's dated conception of meritocracy and teaches us how we can all win in the fight for equality.' David Lammy MP 'A powerful account of everyday racisms and why, if we are serious about a socially just society - the time for change must be now.' Kalwant Bhopal , author of White Privilege: The myth of a post-racial society 'Nazir Afzal highlights the gauntlet of racism ethnic minorities still face as they seek to make it to the top. Token improvement doesn't mean that wider society doesn't have work to do in becoming genuinely equal and fair.' Angela Saini , author of Superior: The Return of Race Science 'A tour de force, containing engaging personal accounts alongside a thorough analysis of the road blocks and barriers that are endured by countless Black, Asian and other minority ethnic Britons. He also gives us all hope that we can change for the better.' Baroness Louise Casey DBE CB 'This book shows us a clear-eyed picture of the present and offers a toolkit for the future, and in doing so offers hope and optimism. I found the writing clear, refreshing and emotional at times because it captures what so many of minority ethnic Brits have experienced in our professional lives. We have to take action now, urgently.' Pragya Agarwal , author of Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias 'A must-read, offering informed solutions to the key problems of our time. The insights contained in the excellent book provide clues for resolution, or at least for a new level of understanding.' Lord Alex Carlile CBE, QC 'The authentic face of British Justice.' The New York Times 'Champion of the ignored.' The Sunday Times 'An inspiring figure, forensically intelligent.' The Times 'Afzal is not one to shy away from the failures of the state.' New Statesman”

‘In Britain, talent has always lost out to privilege. Nazir Afzal’s compelling book challenges our country’s dated conception of meritocracy and teaches us how we can all win in the fight for equality.’ David Lammy MP

‘A powerful account of everyday racisms and why, if we are serious about a socially just society – the time for change must be now.’ Kalwant Bhopal, author of White Privilege: The myth of a post-racial society

‘Nazir Afzal highlights the gauntlet of racism ethnic minorities still face as they seek to make it to the top. Token improvement doesn't mean that wider society doesn't have work to do in becoming genuinely equal and fair.’ Angela Saini, author of Superior: The Return of Race Science

'A tour de force, containing engaging personal accounts alongside a thorough analysis of the road blocks and barriers that are endured by countless Black, Asian and other minority ethnic Britons. He also gives us all hope that we can change for the better.’ Baroness Louise Casey DBE CB

'This book shows us a clear-eyed picture of the present and offers a toolkit for the future, and in doing so offers hope and optimism. I found the writing clear, refreshing and emotional at times because it captures what so many of minority ethnic Brits have experienced in our professional lives. We have to take action now, urgently.' Pragya Agarwal, author of Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias

‘A must-read, offering informed solutions to the key problems of our time. The insights contained in the excellent book provide clues for resolution, or at least for a new level of understanding.’ Lord Alex Carlile CBE, QC

‘The authentic face of British Justice.’ The New York Times

‘Champion of the ignored.’ The Sunday Times

‘An inspiring figure, forensically intelligent.’ The Times

‘Afzal is not one to shy away from the failures of the state.’ New Statesman

Nazir Afzal OBE is Chancellor of the University of Manchester, a former Chief Crown Prosecutor and former Chief Executive of the UK's Police & Crime Commissioners. He prosecuted some of the most high-profile cases in the country. He is is particularly notable for his prosecution of the so-called Rochdale sex grooming gang. His memoir, The Prosecutor, is being adapted for the screen. He Tweets as @nazirafzal

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