PwC partner Paul Cleal has been recognised as a leader in developing diverse workforces, after winning the Champion Award at the 2013 Race for Opportunity (RfO) Awards, which form part of the race equality campaign from Business in the Community.

Cleal, who is a partner and government and public sector leader at PwC, won the award for his role in establishing PwC's Multicultural Business Network and Africa Business Network.

He has also helped the firm to implement diversity monitoring of ethnic minorities and acted as a role model by mentoring 20 people in the past year. In addition, Cleal is a member of the government's Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, raising awareness among senior leaders of social mobility issues and the need to broaden the talent pool.

Sandra Kerr, RfO's national campaign director, said: 'Dynamic and effective leadership is key to create real, sustainable change for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people in UK organisations. Companies' tone, culture and priorities are set from the top, so it's essential for senior business leaders to engage in developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. Paul has worked incredibly hard to provide that leadership.'

Cleal said: 'I am delighted and surprised to have been recognised in this way. For me, it's a straightforward belief that ambitions and prospects should not be limited by ethnic background. I don't see diversity as being about minority groups, but about getting the majority to see how we can get the best from everyone.'

PwC has increased the number of BAME partners from 89 in 2009, when Cleal became involved in diversity work, to 114 currently and now has a 93% disclosure rate on ethnicity.

RfO says that one in 16 of FTSE 100 board members are from a BAME background, one in eight employers in the UK are from BAME groups, and one in one of young people in the UK are BAME. Its aim is to square off this pyramid and its eight awards celebrate private and public sector organisations that are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and are demonstrating tangible results.