The Diversity Panel is a not for profit organisation working for social justice to create a more inclusive society that thinks more about those at the very margins of our communities. The idea of a Diversity Panel was first conceived by Humberside Criminal Justice Board back in 2002, in response to recommendations made by Sir William Macpherson following the murder of Stephen Lawrence. 

Since then Humberside Criminal Justice Board has funded the work of The Diversity Panel.  Initially, the aim of The Diversity Panel was to ensure that local criminal justice agencies were able to effectively engage with minority ethnic communities and increase trust and confidence in the Criminal Justice System (CJS)

Since 2005 the Panel has broadened its outlook and now encompasses all aspects of equality and diversity and has a primary function of acting as a ‘critical friend’ to local CJS agencies: panel members are able to scrutinise the work of local agencies and assist in trying to meet the needs of local communities.