The Guardian has appointed deputy opinion editor and columnist Joseph Harker as its new senior executive for diversity and development.

Joseph Harker’s role has been created as part of its race action plan, which was adopted in September last year and commits the organisation to a range of steps intended to make it “a more diverse and inclusive employer”.

Harker’s remit includes working on improving the diversity of both the Guardian’s editorial staff and its coverage, which will mean looking at areas such as recruitment and training and ensuring the newsroom follows the initiatives set out in its various diversity action plans.