The Equal Group's Podcast

Fiona Hathorn is the CEO of Women on Boards UK (WOB), an organisation committed to accelerating women into non-executive director roles. She is also an expert in the areas of Governance, Regulation and Talent Management who has sat on marketing, audit and finance committees. Fiona is an advisory panel member for the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), an advisory board member of a gender pay gap technology company called Spktral, advisor to Peel Hunt (mid-cap stockbroker) and Chair of Hanx’s Nominations Committee (a relatively new FMCG sexual health start-up). In this episode of ‘Representation Matters’, Fiona discusses her decision to launch WOB UK, the leadership and company culture issues that hinder diversity in the boardroom and why data is so important in achieving greater diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Episode Highlights:

1. Fiona’s upbringing and her career journey so far.
   
2. How Fiona was inspired to found Women on Boards UK.
   
3. Why companies need to openly and transparently publicise Board roles to increase diversity.
   
4. What makes an effective C-Suite leader?
   
5. Fostering conscious inclusion in the workplace.
   

Quotes from the podcast:

1. ‘Most boards want diversity, they want inclusion, but they don’t want anybody they don’t know…so they fish in the same ponds.’ (9:52)
   
2. ‘If you really want to make a difference you need to fix the top, but you also need to fix the bottom and inspire people in society, no matter who they are, to make them understand that the boardroom matters, and that there is a boardroom position out there for everyone no matter what age you are.’ (7:43)
   
3. ‘Diverse teams better, but they only perform better if you have the right leadership in place.’ (16:20)
   
   

Niall is a Senior Recruitment consultant with WISER elite working for the company over the last four years and being acknowledged in the industry with awards in 2018/2019. It is a specialist tech/software sales recruitment agency working exclusively on mid-senior appointments across EMEA and North America. With a degree and masters in Sports Science, falling into sales was definitely not on the cards originally. However, he has excelled and wants to see change in it. In June 2020 he founded Black Tech Sales network to increase the representation of black commercial professionals working in the technology industry. Alongside helping black professionals and young people, it works with companies to generate tangible changes to their ethnic makeup.

Episode highlights

- Brought  up in a very strong loving family with parents and grandparents
- Hard work was always instilled and he enjoyed it!
- Has a sports science degree and masters
- Good to know people
- Challenge has to be made to Managing Directors/CEOs
- Black Tech Sales Network will change the diverse landscape of the industry

Zoe Banks Gross is the Sustainable Neighbourhoods Programme Manager at Knowle West Media Centre. After working as an environmental scientist for a number of years, Zoe shifted to working in the community sector, where for the past 6 years she has worked on engaging and empowering local communities across Bristol, to help promote sustainability and inclusion. Zoe’s passion for social justice, health, sustainability, and how these issues interconnect, is not only reflected in her community development work, but also within her role as a local health champion in Bristol, teaching cycling and running to ethnic minorities. In this episode of ‘Representation Matters’ Zoe discusses the unequal impact of the pandemic on certain communities, and the positive changes that she is trying to bring to the people of Bristol.

Episode Highlights

- Zoe Banks Gross’ career journey as an environmental scientist and Sustainable Neighbourhoods Programme Manager.

- The importance of connecting people and communities to green spaces.

- How Zoe and her team are bridging the health and digital inequalities that exist across communities in Bristol.

- What government and policymakers need to do to prevent BAME communities from suffering disproportionally again during any future pandemics.

Sarah Pinch is the managing director of a reputation management agency called Pinch Point Communications and she is also the vice-chair of an organisation: Manx Care. In 2015 Sarah was the president of the CIPR, and in 2018 she was listed in the financial Times and HERoes Top 100 Female Champions which celebrates and supports women in business. Passionate about diversity and inclusion, Sarah is also the chair of the Taylor Bennet Foundation, a diversity charity which supports young BAME people into Communication and Public Relations careers.  In this episode of ‘Representation Matters’ Sarah discusses her journey into Public Relations and Communications, the diversity issues that exist within industry, and the actions organisations can to take to improve the number of women in senior leadership positions.

The two books recommended by Sarah:

• ‘Mrs Moneypenny: Survival in the City’ by Heather McGregor
  
• ‘Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (And How to Fix it)’ by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic.

Hosted by Zakiya Ilyas @zakiyailyas3

For The Equal Group

@theequalgroup

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Shakil Butt (FCIPD, FCCA) is an award-winning HR professional that led an award-winning global HR team in the UK, Middle East, Asia and Africa working in a multi-ethnic, multi-faith and multi-cultural background. With over 30 years of experience, Shakil now works as an independent consultant, supporting organisations and individuals with their HR and organisational development. Shakil is also the non-executive director of the CIPD and a public speaker who has spoken at various HR conferences on topics such as company values, strategic direction, as well as diversity and inclusion. In this episode of ‘Representation Matters’ Shakil discusses his journey into HR, the diversity problems that exist within the profession and what he thinks HR practitioners can do to tackle organisational issues.

Hosted by Zakiya Ilyas @zakiyailyas3

For The Equal Group

@theequalgroup

#diversity #representation #equality

Isabelle Jani-friend is a freelance journalist and campaigner focusing on health and disability. Determined not to let her Cystic Fibrosis hold her back, Isabelle has used her disability to help build a career for herself and raise awareness about important issues such as equal access to healthcare and medication. She is also passionate about giving underrepresented groups a voice, and has written a number of articles on invisible illnesses and workplace discrimination which have been published across media outlets such as the Guardian, Independent and Lucuna Voices. In this episode of ‘Representation Matters’ Isabelle Jani-Friend discusses her experiences of living with an invisible disability, the challenges that people with protected characteristics face when it comes to entering the world of work, and what employers working with underrepresented individuals need to be more aware of.

You can take a look at Isabelle’s health and lifestyle blog here: https://isabelledipti.com/

Hosted by Zakiya Ilyas @zakiyailyas3

For The Equal Group

@theequalgroup

#diversity #representation #equality

Oge Ejizu is an experienced project manager in Prince2 and Agile, who has over 10 years of experience in the charity sector holding various roles. She is also the London regional leader for Black Girls Hike, a charity organisation set-up by Rhiane Fatinkun in 2019 as a response to the lack of diversity and representation of black women in the outdoors. Black Girls Hike provides a safe walking community for black women, empowering and encouraging them to enjoy the outdoors and nature without feeling intimidated or judged. In this episode of ‘Representation Matters’ Oge Ejizu shares her passion for hiking, how she got involved with Black Girls Hike and the importance of diversifying the outdoors.

You can find out more about Black Girls Hike via Facebook: bghmcr, Instagram: @bgh_uk and Twitter: @UkBgh

Hosted by Zakiya Ilyas @zakiyailyas3

For The Equal Group

@theequalgroup

#diversity #representation #equality 

Denise Massey has been Managing Director of the Energy Innovation Centre since the company's foundation in 2008. Denise led the company from start-up to successful not for profit business, and now heads a highly successful and growing team of technical and commercial specialists.

In the UK, Denise fosters collaboration and partnerships across many stakeholders, and supports both gas and electricity energy networks with their innovation challenges. She also works closely with the energy network operators Ofgem and BEIS, and is actively involved in redefining the innovation ambition of the UK’s energy sector.

Beyond her home territory, Denise has proven ability in opening up new markets. Working with regulators, governments, energy companies and innovators internationally, her networking capabilities are unsurpassed. She is at the forefront of developing a collaborative and cooperative global innovation community for the benefit of all.

To date, Denise has brokered energy investments of over £14m, in addition to building an exclusive global energy innovation community of more than 2,000 SMEs.

A highly successful communicator, leader and businesswoman. Denise's key strengths lie in organisational leadership, cross sector collaboration, strategic planning and development, and employee mentoring. Also, Denise sits on the The Equal Group Board as a member.

Denise joined our host Nikki Tapper on The Equal Group’s podcast ‘Representation Matters’ to share her insights and opinions on equality, diversity and inclusion within the energy.

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Martha Awojobi is a management consultant for non-profits specialising in event curation, anti-racism, POC recruitment and income generation. She is also the treasurer and an organiser at #CharitySoWhite – an organisation that speaks about institutional racism in the charity sector. She comments “it is not personal; it’s the systems and structures making up the sector that reinforce racism. So, we need to stop asking if racism exists in our organisations and start asking how?”.

Martha is the curator of #BAMEOnline, a series of online events that centre fundraisers of colour, showcase new talent, and get to the heart of how to dismantle structural racism in fundraising and in the wider charity sector. Her mission is to support Black and Brown led organisations who are critically underfunded and resourced to do brilliant work in their communities and to ensure that Black and Brown fundraisers are able to thrive in their organisations.

She is also the winner of Charity Times Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement 2020 and
Civil Society Fundraising Magazines 25 Under 35 2020.

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Nick Ellins took over leadership of the Energy & Utility Skills Group in October 2015. He has over 30 years’ experience in the utilities and rail industries, working in a variety of management roles across commercial, operational, and UK and European policy areas.

His previous roles include Deputy Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Water, Head of Consumer Strategy at Water UK, senior management roles in contracting and manufacturing, Director of Policy for the Rail Delivery Group strategy body and Director of Policy for the Association of Train Operating Companies.

Nick is one of the industry leaders working through the Energy & Utilities Skills Partnership to ensure a safe, resilient and sustainable workforce across the sector.

Nick is a Freeman of the City of London, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, Fellow and twice Past National President of the Institute of Water; Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Primary Engineers; Member of the Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers; Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers; Ambassador for Design and Technology; Member of Aston University Industrial Advisory Board - School of Engineering & Applied Science; A Supporting Partner of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards; Member of the Energy Industries Club; and former Trustee and Board Member of the Federation of Industry Sector Skills & Standards.

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Genelle has over a decade worth of experience in broadcast journalism, creative content creation and digital marketing. She is a woman of great communication skills who has worked at many of the UK’s largest broadcasting organisations including BBC, ITV and TBN. 

She has taken on various roles such as Weather Presenter, Newsreader, Documentary Researcher and Producer. She since worked within the charity sector for Tearfund, and is now consulting other brands about their communication and creative strategies. She is passionate about diversity in comms and believes in taking brands on the journey of broader appeal by using a creative strategy.She joined our host Nikki Tapper on The Equal Group’s podcast show ‘Representation Matters’ to share her stories and expertise.

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Gary Rayneau is the co-founder of Project 23. After 15 years of experience in the media and advertising industry at Dennis Publishing, Gary grouped together with work colleague Elaine Dela Cruz to form Project 23. This was as a result of the progression towards a more diverse and inclusive workplace in the media industry.

Gary is passionate about the power culture has to affect business performance and increase staff happiness.  He believes culture by definition only works if it's genuinely inclusive, however in today’s workplace that is not always as easy as it sounds. Pace of change, unconscious biases and ‘the way we used to do things’ are issues that we all face that can hinder as well as help.

He also believes that with right the intent and a data-led strategy guiding the way, a high performing inclusive culture will soon be the expected norm for all. Our host Max caught up with Gary to get his thoughts on how Project 23 is impacting business culture for good.

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Chris is a Teacher, Workshop Leader, School Team Visitor, Curriculum Writer and Journalist.He has worked in three different continents and taught four different educational programmes. He is a self-confessed life-long learner, UK-born/Swiss-living, citizen of the world. Chris shares some great insights on why we are all citizen’s of the world; why knowledge and education is key to understanding each other and becoming more inclusive.

Episode Highlights

• His career journey in education
• How he was influenced to become a teacher
• Why education and business need to see diversity as a positive
• How communication is key for those in leadership to have a better understanding of their workforce/teams
• His successes both in his work and life experiences

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Carol is a non-executive director, qualified Coach, diversity campaigner & advocate for more inclusive workplaces. She has championed women in senior leadership for the last decade. https://twitter.com/theequalgroup #TEGPodcasts