He admits it might be a simple view, but for Australia Post CEO, Ahmed Fahour, embracing diversity at all levels of business, in sport and in the community makes a whole lot of sense.

Fahour was the guest speaker at the Richmond in Business function at the ME Bank Centre today (Friday, August 1), and spoke of how the 200 year old organisation has embraced diversity at all levels to truly reflect the different people and cultures of the Australian community.

Of Australia Post’s 33,000 employees, there are people from 138 different nationalities that speak 65 different languages, 38% of employees are women and 8% of workers have a disability.

“Australia Post is about as diverse as you get, as diverse as our society, so we are actually a mirror reflection of our country,” Fahour said.

“Our business reflects our society, and that’s a good thing, you want your business to reflect the community in which you operate in.”

Diversity within his own organisation isn’t enough, Australia Post also sponsors a number of the AFL’s community programs including multicultural programs and community inclusion programs with an emphasis on engaging with regional communities.

“I feel very strongly that there are four or five really important institutional investments that we need to make to promote and support diversity and harmony, and one of those…is our Indigenous game of AFL,” Fahour said.

“I believe AFL can and does play a critical role in society and this is why I’m such a passionate supporter of it.”

“I love my Carlton Football Club…and I want it to see it succeed, but also as the Chief Executive of Australia Post, I want to see every single AFL Club succeed. I want the AFL community to be bigger, so it can then spread the good message.”

The Richmond in Business program provides an environment for professionals to network, connect and engage through a series of lunches hosted by media personality, Hamish McLachlan at the ME Bank Centre.

Former Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard is the next guest speaker for the Richmond in Business event on Friday, November 14. Click here to find out more.