Making the face of Bermuda's business executives look more like the racial make-up of the community is good business, Hamilton Rotarians were told yesterday.

Linbert Spencer, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's minority ethnic liaison officer, said the business community should make every effort to encourage integration.

Although blacks are the numerical majority in the Island, he said they do not dominate the business and international business marketplace.

"Why should business be involved in promoting social inclusion of minorities?'' he asked. "Because it is absoloutely necessary for a viable business environment.'' "We remind employers in the UK that the markets that they serve, particularly in the larger cities are themselves multi-ethnic and multi-racial,'' Mr.

Spencer said.

Mr. Spencer is the founder and chairman of the Windsor Fellowshp, a charity which prepares minority ethnic university students for management in industry, commerce and the public sector.

He is also a founding partner of Diversity UK , which publishes the Diversity Directory, which is described as the premier marketing tool for consultants and trainers working for equal opportunity.

He was hired by the FCO to help make the diplomatic service more representative of the British population.

Mr. Spencer said the percentage of blacks and Asians in the UK population stands at six percent but minority people in the FCO are just one percent of the employees.

He said it was ironic that having been given his job only 18 months ago, he was one of the most senior blacks in the Civil Service.

Fresh from a meeting with Premier Jennifer Smith's Cabinet, Mr. Spencer suggested strengthening local sports clubs might maintain the strong position Bermuda is in.

"Invest in young Bermudians,'' he added. "It is important to maintain the growth that you have.

UK advisor backs Lister plan "Other areas that are pertinent is more effective collaboration among Government departments.'' Mr. Spencer praised local efforts at battling drug addiction and said as a director of the Salvation Army Housing Association in the UK, he was impressed by the local war on drugs carried out by the Army.

In addition, Mr. Spencer said encouraging links to undergraduate college students would also foster good relations in the future by giving insight how they see the world.

"In the UK, we have found this to be beneficial for both the community and the undergraduates,'' he said. "It leads to a strong commitment to community service when they finish.''