Elizabeth Smith, Director of Conferences and Research at Business Forums International

Elizabeth is director of research and a founding co-director at Business Forums International. She is responsible for all programme content and writing, and researches current areas of interest for senior HR professionals in large organisations. BFI is the UK’s leading HR risk specialist conference and training provider, delivering key and timely information to over 3,000 delegates a year both through public and in-house training courses.

Elizabeth believes the menopause is a time of great growth and creativity, and strongly objects to the way menopausal women are currently portrayed and treated. She wants employers to see how to harness this wealth of talent and experience, especially at a time when many are struggling to recruit. She designs and delivers innovative and engaging online training courses for organisations. The courses are for all levels, both public and in-house, to review, implement and communicate effective menopause policy, as well as facilitating honest conversations, how to avoid tribunals and ensure workplaces are truly inclusive. 

Before founding BFI in 1996, Elizabeth specialised in researching corporate financial programmes in Asia and the Middle East, based in Dubai. She also worked in advertising and publishing in the Middle East and London.