Becoming an Effective D&I Leader: a Practical Workshop

Chair's welcome and defining and identifying learning objectives and outcomes

Elizabeth Smith

Director of Research
Business Forums International Ltd. (BFI)

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Elizabeth Smith

Director of Research , Business Forums International Ltd. (BFI)

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. 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. Elizabeth was educated in the West Indies, Saudi Arabia and Belgium before reading Modern Languages at Durham University. She is currently developing an online training course for line managers to raise awareness of menopause symptoms and ways that employers can work to make their workplaces more inclusive.

Nichole McGill-Higgins (she/her)

Award Winning Race Equality Campaigner, Founder & Director
Changez Life

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Nichole McGill-Higgins (she/her)

Award Winning Race Equality Campaigner, Founder & Director , Changez Life

Nichole is an award-winning campaigner, coach, consultant and motivational speaker on race equality and inclusion. Commended for her work tackling oppression, aggression and prejudice in the workplace, she is dedicated to rooting out injustice, becoming the voice for those who may not have the courage to speak for themselves and exploring intersectionality. Nichole is a global keynote speaker at events which focus on racism and the uncomfortable truths which surround it. Through her authentic storytelling in a direct, jargon-free tone, Nichole wins over audiences and organisations – encouraging everyone to take responsibility and action for diversity and inclusion. As a positive disrupter, Nichole uses coaching and design-led thinking methodologies to help organisations experience their own awakening, changing hearts and minds. Nichole led the CIPD’s internal Race Review project, assessing whether the CIPD was dismantling or upholding racial inequality in response to the murder of George Floyd. As a critical friend, she oversaw the content produced by the CIPD to support people professionals in tackling racism and racial discrimination in the workplace. Nichole is a trustee for Rape Crisis Centre (RASASC), a South London charity, focusing on anti-racism and transgender rights. She leads their D&I strategy, underpinning the support offered to survivors, employee engagement and corporate governance. Nichole was named ‘Campaigner of the Year 2020’ by The Baton Awards for her outstanding contribution to racial equality, working with young people and organisations. Nichole was also celebrated as National Mentor of the Year by the National Mentoring Awards in 2019. Other previous voluntary roles include Trustee for the Croydon BME Forum and founding Co-chair of EmbRACE, the CIPD’s employee resource group dedicated to educating colleagues about race and opening up difficult conversations. As well as speaking at events, coaching and consultancy, Nichole delivers training sessions, designs immersive workshops and implements inclusion strategies to drive racial equality and inclusion for employees and employers.

A brainstorming and feedback session to tease out the real and hidden expectations of the course attendees and establish exactly what success looks like. HR has the potential to be a real catalyst for change and this important day will help you develop a roadmap for your organisation to ensure your diversity and inclusion goals are clear, achievable and something to be proud of.

Inclusion & diversity: the law, benefits and challenges

Daniel Winterfeldt MBE QC (Hon)

General Counsel for EMEA and Asia, Jefferies International Ltd and Founder & Chair of
InterLaw Diversity Forum

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Daniel Winterfeldt MBE QC (Hon)

General Counsel for EMEA and Asia, Jefferies International Ltd and Founder & Chair of , InterLaw Diversity Forum

Daniel is founder and chair of the InterLaw Diversity Forum, which seeks to promote meritocracy and inclusion for all diverse groups working in the legal sector.  The InterLaw Diversity Forum was "Highly Commended" by the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards in 2016 for 'Innovation in Human Resources'.   Daniel is interested in the impact of the pandemic crisis on legal professionals in protected categories (women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBT+ and disabled communities) are how they are being disproportionately affected. Added to this, he is keenly aware of a heightened sense of inequality in society, with the Black Lives Matter civil rights movement gaining important momentum. In addition, Daniel was named the "Legal Innovator of the Year" at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards in 2012 for his work in capital markets and diversity and inclusion.  In 2020 Daniel was appointed as Queen's Counsel Honoris Causa (Honorary QC) for both his contributions to capital markets in England & Wales through the  Forum for US Securities Lawyers in London as well as his contributions to diversity, inclusion and culture in the legal sector through the InterLaw Diversity Forum.

• Legal framework and obligations
• Reasonable adjustment - for whom and under which circumstances: understanding the context and your obligations
• Difference between diversity & inclusion - defining terms of reference
• What does a truly diverse workplace look like?
• Biases and barriers to inclusive recruitment programmes

Legal Q&A

What is my own organisation doing to help or hinder D&I? Breakout - Exercise one and feedback

Daniel Winterfeldt MBE QC (Hon)

General Counsel for EMEA and Asia, Jefferies International Ltd and Founder & Chair of
InterLaw Diversity Forum

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Daniel Winterfeldt MBE QC (Hon)

General Counsel for EMEA and Asia, Jefferies International Ltd and Founder & Chair of , InterLaw Diversity Forum

Daniel is founder and chair of the InterLaw Diversity Forum, which seeks to promote meritocracy and inclusion for all diverse groups working in the legal sector.  The InterLaw Diversity Forum was "Highly Commended" by the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards in 2016 for 'Innovation in Human Resources'.   Daniel is interested in the impact of the pandemic crisis on legal professionals in protected categories (women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBT+ and disabled communities) are how they are being disproportionately affected. Added to this, he is keenly aware of a heightened sense of inequality in society, with the Black Lives Matter civil rights movement gaining important momentum. In addition, Daniel was named the "Legal Innovator of the Year" at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards in 2012 for his work in capital markets and diversity and inclusion.  In 2020 Daniel was appointed as Queen's Counsel Honoris Causa (Honorary QC) for both his contributions to capital markets in England & Wales through the  Forum for US Securities Lawyers in London as well as his contributions to diversity, inclusion and culture in the legal sector through the InterLaw Diversity Forum.

Working in small groups using discussion and exercises, delegates will have the opportunity to reflect on their own positions and organisations and examine ways in which professional action can help establish networks and become an effective diversity partner.

Comfort break

Leadership skills and behaviour: establishing standards of best practice in your organisation

Nichole McGill-Higgins (she/her)

Award Winning Race Equality Campaigner, Founder & Director
Changez Life

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Nichole McGill-Higgins (she/her)

Award Winning Race Equality Campaigner, Founder & Director , Changez Life

Nichole is an award-winning campaigner, coach, consultant and motivational speaker on race equality and inclusion. Commended for her work tackling oppression, aggression and prejudice in the workplace, she is dedicated to rooting out injustice, becoming the voice for those who may not have the courage to speak for themselves and exploring intersectionality. Nichole is a global keynote speaker at events which focus on racism and the uncomfortable truths which surround it. Through her authentic storytelling in a direct, jargon-free tone, Nichole wins over audiences and organisations – encouraging everyone to take responsibility and action for diversity and inclusion. As a positive disrupter, Nichole uses coaching and design-led thinking methodologies to help organisations experience their own awakening, changing hearts and minds. Nichole led the CIPD’s internal Race Review project, assessing whether the CIPD was dismantling or upholding racial inequality in response to the murder of George Floyd. As a critical friend, she oversaw the content produced by the CIPD to support people professionals in tackling racism and racial discrimination in the workplace. Nichole is a trustee for Rape Crisis Centre (RASASC), a South London charity, focusing on anti-racism and transgender rights. She leads their D&I strategy, underpinning the support offered to survivors, employee engagement and corporate governance. Nichole was named ‘Campaigner of the Year 2020’ by The Baton Awards for her outstanding contribution to racial equality, working with young people and organisations. Nichole was also celebrated as National Mentor of the Year by the National Mentoring Awards in 2019. Other previous voluntary roles include Trustee for the Croydon BME Forum and founding Co-chair of EmbRACE, the CIPD’s employee resource group dedicated to educating colleagues about race and opening up difficult conversations. As well as speaking at events, coaching and consultancy, Nichole delivers training sessions, designs immersive workshops and implements inclusion strategies to drive racial equality and inclusion for employees and employers.

• What does a truly inclusive workplace look like?
• Examples and analysis: what works? What doesn't? And why not? Lessons from successful D&I programmes
• Getting your policy out of the handbook and into reality: identifying areas for improvement and tactics to embed company-wide support for the programme
• Participants will be encouraged to share experiences and challenges in a supportive environment and to examine ways they can make effective changes on their own roles

Minority, discrimination, race and ethnicity: Breakout - exercise two and feedback

In breakout groups, participants will examine their own experiences and identify ways in which they can draw on their own lives to reexamine their workplace D&I programmes. Themes covered will include:

• When did you first become aware of racial/ethnic differences?
• Share a situation when you were in the minority
• Describe a time you witnessed discrimination
• Your best experience with a person of a different race/ethnicity
• How do your thoughts about diversity differ from your parents’?
• Describe a time you experienced prejudice
• Where do you see prejudice?
• How do you respond to jokes that are demeaning or derogatory?

Comfort break

Initiating and managing workplace conversations: an essential guide

Nichole McGill-Higgins (she/her)

Award Winning Race Equality Campaigner, Founder & Director
Changez Life

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Nichole McGill-Higgins (she/her)

Award Winning Race Equality Campaigner, Founder & Director , Changez Life

Nichole is an award-winning campaigner, coach, consultant and motivational speaker on race equality and inclusion. Commended for her work tackling oppression, aggression and prejudice in the workplace, she is dedicated to rooting out injustice, becoming the voice for those who may not have the courage to speak for themselves and exploring intersectionality. Nichole is a global keynote speaker at events which focus on racism and the uncomfortable truths which surround it. Through her authentic storytelling in a direct, jargon-free tone, Nichole wins over audiences and organisations – encouraging everyone to take responsibility and action for diversity and inclusion. As a positive disrupter, Nichole uses coaching and design-led thinking methodologies to help organisations experience their own awakening, changing hearts and minds. Nichole led the CIPD’s internal Race Review project, assessing whether the CIPD was dismantling or upholding racial inequality in response to the murder of George Floyd. As a critical friend, she oversaw the content produced by the CIPD to support people professionals in tackling racism and racial discrimination in the workplace. Nichole is a trustee for Rape Crisis Centre (RASASC), a South London charity, focusing on anti-racism and transgender rights. She leads their D&I strategy, underpinning the support offered to survivors, employee engagement and corporate governance. Nichole was named ‘Campaigner of the Year 2020’ by The Baton Awards for her outstanding contribution to racial equality, working with young people and organisations. Nichole was also celebrated as National Mentor of the Year by the National Mentoring Awards in 2019. Other previous voluntary roles include Trustee for the Croydon BME Forum and founding Co-chair of EmbRACE, the CIPD’s employee resource group dedicated to educating colleagues about race and opening up difficult conversations. As well as speaking at events, coaching and consultancy, Nichole delivers training sessions, designs immersive workshops and implements inclusion strategies to drive racial equality and inclusion for employees and employers.

• Expanding your knowledge: what questions to ask, to whom, when and how
• Establishing a framework to enable conversation
• Do you have blind spots? how can you tackle them in yourself and in your organisation?
• Identifying big issues and challenges
• Culture versus individuals: where should the balance be struck

Feeling like an outsider: Q&A, discussion and story sharing

Working in small groups, then reporting back findings and talking points, delegates will debate the following areas:

• Feeling like an outsider: what does that look like then and now?
• An instance when someone went out of their way to make you feel included?
• A time you went out of your way to make someone feel included?
• A time you shared an unpopular idea
• Describe a time you felt lonely in a big group of people
• Why do you seek out people similar to you as friends?
• Do you feel your friends are more similar or dissimilar to you?

Lunch

The danger of labels: Group exercise and feedback

A group discussion on how we perceive different people and how we treat them accordingly.

Identifying and reaching workplace D&I goals: what can you learn from employers of choice?

Nichole McGill-Higgins (she/her)

Award Winning Race Equality Campaigner, Founder & Director
Changez Life

View Bio

Nichole McGill-Higgins (she/her)

Award Winning Race Equality Campaigner, Founder & Director , Changez Life

Nichole is an award-winning campaigner, coach, consultant and motivational speaker on race equality and inclusion. Commended for her work tackling oppression, aggression and prejudice in the workplace, she is dedicated to rooting out injustice, becoming the voice for those who may not have the courage to speak for themselves and exploring intersectionality. Nichole is a global keynote speaker at events which focus on racism and the uncomfortable truths which surround it. Through her authentic storytelling in a direct, jargon-free tone, Nichole wins over audiences and organisations – encouraging everyone to take responsibility and action for diversity and inclusion. As a positive disrupter, Nichole uses coaching and design-led thinking methodologies to help organisations experience their own awakening, changing hearts and minds. Nichole led the CIPD’s internal Race Review project, assessing whether the CIPD was dismantling or upholding racial inequality in response to the murder of George Floyd. As a critical friend, she oversaw the content produced by the CIPD to support people professionals in tackling racism and racial discrimination in the workplace. Nichole is a trustee for Rape Crisis Centre (RASASC), a South London charity, focusing on anti-racism and transgender rights. She leads their D&I strategy, underpinning the support offered to survivors, employee engagement and corporate governance. Nichole was named ‘Campaigner of the Year 2020’ by The Baton Awards for her outstanding contribution to racial equality, working with young people and organisations. Nichole was also celebrated as National Mentor of the Year by the National Mentoring Awards in 2019. Other previous voluntary roles include Trustee for the Croydon BME Forum and founding Co-chair of EmbRACE, the CIPD’s employee resource group dedicated to educating colleagues about race and opening up difficult conversations. As well as speaking at events, coaching and consultancy, Nichole delivers training sessions, designs immersive workshops and implements inclusion strategies to drive racial equality and inclusion for employees and employers.

• D&I in the time of Covid-19: additional issues and challenges
• Defining what your new policy should include: recent developments and latest thinking
• Implementing a strategy: the practicalities
• Reporting gaps and other legal imperatives
  networks: who drives them? why, how and when?

Comfort break

"The danger of the single story" TED talk and discussion

Delegates will hear Chimamanda Adichie, a Nigerian novelist, talk on stereotypes and the impact of having single stories about people and places.

A roadmap to take back: Identifying and reaching essential D&I goals

Nichole McGill-Higgins (she/her)

Award Winning Race Equality Campaigner, Founder & Director
Changez Life

View Bio

Nichole McGill-Higgins (she/her)

Award Winning Race Equality Campaigner, Founder & Director , Changez Life

Nichole is an award-winning campaigner, coach, consultant and motivational speaker on race equality and inclusion. Commended for her work tackling oppression, aggression and prejudice in the workplace, she is dedicated to rooting out injustice, becoming the voice for those who may not have the courage to speak for themselves and exploring intersectionality. Nichole is a global keynote speaker at events which focus on racism and the uncomfortable truths which surround it. Through her authentic storytelling in a direct, jargon-free tone, Nichole wins over audiences and organisations – encouraging everyone to take responsibility and action for diversity and inclusion. As a positive disrupter, Nichole uses coaching and design-led thinking methodologies to help organisations experience their own awakening, changing hearts and minds. Nichole led the CIPD’s internal Race Review project, assessing whether the CIPD was dismantling or upholding racial inequality in response to the murder of George Floyd. As a critical friend, she oversaw the content produced by the CIPD to support people professionals in tackling racism and racial discrimination in the workplace. Nichole is a trustee for Rape Crisis Centre (RASASC), a South London charity, focusing on anti-racism and transgender rights. She leads their D&I strategy, underpinning the support offered to survivors, employee engagement and corporate governance. Nichole was named ‘Campaigner of the Year 2020’ by The Baton Awards for her outstanding contribution to racial equality, working with young people and organisations. Nichole was also celebrated as National Mentor of the Year by the National Mentoring Awards in 2019. Other previous voluntary roles include Trustee for the Croydon BME Forum and founding Co-chair of EmbRACE, the CIPD’s employee resource group dedicated to educating colleagues about race and opening up difficult conversations. As well as speaking at events, coaching and consultancy, Nichole delivers training sessions, designs immersive workshops and implements inclusion strategies to drive racial equality and inclusion for employees and employers.

• Staff profile and demographics: what changes need to happen in your recruitment and retention practices?
• Workplace culture: best practice in establishing mutual respect and inclusivity
• Community engagement, language and support strategies

Networking, personal goals and informal debate

Delegates said of our recent D&I events that they would value time to chat and exchange experiences once the formal programme finished - this is your chance to make contacts, swap details and build a network of like-minded professionals.

End of workshop