FIA sack head of inclusion & diversity in restructure

After removing the position of head of sustainability, diversity, and inclusion, the FIA, the sport’s governing body, fired the most senior member in a string of senior figures.

As she left the FIA on Wednesday, Sara Mariani wrote a note that appeared to criticize the organization’s leadership.

There is a life outside the FIA, Mariani, who had been in charge of sustainability, diversity, and inclusion for just 18 months, wrote in an office email. a life that rewards hard work and perseverance. where women who hold leadership positions can prosper, feel valued, and respected.

As part of a two-part internal restructuring, which split her responsibilities, her role was eliminated.

Prior to Mariani’s departure, the organization announced in a statement that it was moving from Alessandra Malhame, senior human resources director, to sustainability, Willem Groenewald, and Alessandra Malhame, secretary general for mobility.

The FIA’s general manager, Alberto Villareal, predicted that the move would “strengthen our capabilities across these two crucial areas.”

Mariani’s availability for comment.

She continued, “It is sadly time to say goodbye.” I enjoyed every second of the ride.

Mariani took over the position in December of that year after being hired for an eight-month period until 2023.

Following a period of review, the FIA made the announcement to remove her role, according to a statement from the FIA.

Villareal claimed that “we can have a bigger impact by collaborating more closely with our members on issues like sustainable fuel, smart cities, and diversity in sport.”

The statement did not describe how bringing sustainability under the mobility umbrella would help to achieve this. Mobility, which deals with road transportation, and motorsport, are the two divisions of the FIA.

The FIA is proud that 32% of our workforce is women in a male-dominated sector, and that it is committed to expanding opportunities for women within the organization, as well as across mobility and motorsport, in the statement.

Nearly half (47%) of the nearly 100 women employed by the FIA hold positions in senior positions, according to a spokesperson.

Emilia Abel, the world’s first female official F1 starter, and Rebecca Lee, the head of single-seat operations, are just two examples.

Mariani is the second significant FIA figure to step down this year following Robert Reid’s resignation as deputy president of sport in April.

And it is the start of a trend that Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who is currently unopposed, is pursuing under his presidency.

The FIA’s chief executive officer Natalie Robyn, F1 race director Niels Wittich, senior F1 steward Tim Mayer, and deputy Formula 2 race director Janette Tan have all been fired by Sulayem in the past year.

These detours come in response to Sulayem’s series of FIA statute changes, which critics claim weaken accountability, promote good governance, and strengthen the president’s authority.

One opponent referred to the most recent changes as “dark periods of democratic backsliding,” as they were approved by the FIA General Assembly last week with a sizable majority.

Since his election, Sulayem has been the subject of a number of controversy, including misogynistic remarks on a historical website.

Sulayem cited his establishment of the FIA’s commission for equality, diversity, and inclusion as proof of his strong track record on the subject when attempting to justify those assertions in December 2023.