The Hidden Cost of Accent Bias

Mon 26 Oct 2026

Cath Baxter
The Sound of Authority Is Changing: Are Our Assumptions Keeping Pace?

At Total Events Diversity and Inclusion, we are committed to uplifting diverse voices and creating spaces where every professional can be heard, valued and given a fair chance to thrive. That commitment sits at the heart of everything we do, from the high-quality conferences and development programmes we deliver to the conversations we champion across the wider industry. Our aim is simple: to give our delegates greater access to the knowledge, networks and confidence they need for both professional and personal success.

That is why we are proud to partner with Vocal Coach Cath Baxter to tackle a vital and often overlooked issue in Training Journal: Accent bias.

In this article, Cath challenges the everyday assumptions we make about how people sound and what that supposedly says about their ability, intelligence or leadership potential. She explores the damaging impact accent bias can have on careers and confidence, and makes a compelling case that what truly matters in the workplace is being clearly understood, not sounding like someone else.

True diversity means recognising talent in every voice, and creating workplaces where people can progress as their authentic selves.

📖 Read the full article: Cath Baxter on Accent Bias in Training Journal


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