FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 30 November 2017
Diversity consultant and former award-winning comedian Philip Patston has been named as one of the world's top ten diversity consultants for the third year running, by the Global Diversity List.
The Top 10 Diversity Consultants category recognises the achievements of individuals who are making an impact in diversity through their work as management consultants.
Patston, Managing Director of Diversity New Zealand Ltd, was named in the same category of the inaugural list in 2015.
"I'm grateful and humbled by the recognition," Patston said, after receiving the tweet this morning.
"Our approach to diversity is unique. We avoid labelling and representing. Our purpose is to deepen awareness of diversity in creative, fun, non-threatening ways.
"We are passionate about leading change that embraces curiosity and inquiry into diversity, complexity and uncertainty.
"Our vision is a society where all people freely share and celebrate their identity and self-expression."
Through Diversity New Zealand, Patston is currently contracted as the co-director of Be. Accessible's Be. Leadership programme, which advances a more accessible society and a dynamic community of leaders who are passionate about accessibility, with the courage to host new conversations.
He is also the website and social media advisor of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of New Zealand Inc, which aims to prevent suffering at the end of life, including pain that cannot be relieved by drugs. He was a witness for Lecretia Seales and recently presented to the Health Select Committee in support of medically assisted dying.
In 1999, Patston received the Billy T James Award for commitment and contribution to the comedy industry. In the same year he was the first disabled actor to play a disabled character, Josh Sinclair, in Shortland Street.
He retired from performing but went on to produce music and two successful music videos that celebrate diversity and identity.
Patston also founded Diversityworks Trust in 2005. In its ten year lifespan, the trust ran a highly successful art exhibition, published a children's book and conducted research into public and industry perceptions of diversity, particularly disability, on screen.
In July 2014, he was awarded the Inaugural Arts Access Accolade, which recognises the lifetime achievements of an individual who has played a significant role in working with Arts Access Aotearoa to achieve its vision of a society where all people in New Zealand can participate in the arts.
Patston is also a Leadership New Zealand Fellow (2012) and a New Zealand Social Entrepreneur Fellow (2007-2009). He spoke at TEDxAuckland in July 2012 about his unique approach to diversity.
Patston is now the Chair of the Auckland Council Disability Strategic Advisory Panel.
ENDS
Contact:
Philip Patston
Managing Director
Diversity New Zealand Ltd