Just as US president Barack Obama was sworn in last year, Accountancy published an article asking why there were so few senior black leaders in the UK accountancy profession.

Some readers welcomed the airing of an issue they recognised. Others argued that there were no barriers to black accountants within the profession. As the discussion continued, government formed a panel on Fair Access to the Professions, which, after reviewing the situation, acknowleged that greater effort was needed to encourage social mobility to the top professions.