WIG's 11th annual D&I Conference: A visual Journ
With the theme "Convening Diverse Perspectives to Catalyse Inclusive Growth”, our 11th Diversity & Inclusion Conference this year brought together over 120 leaders from the public, private, education and non-profit sectors to explore the evolving role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in leadership, workforce development, and organizational culture. Kindly hosted by Salesforce at their London office on March 19, the conference focused on driving measurable change for inclusion across sectors. Through keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, speakers and participants exchanged actionable strategies and insights for embedding inclusion at every level.
Here’s a visual journey through the key moments of the day.
Opening remarks
WIG CEO Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE and Chloe Hoggard, Vice President at Salesforce, kicked off the event by welcoming all speakers and participants and highlighting the critical importance of embracing diverse perspectives to overcome societal challenges and drive meaningful, sustainable change for everyone. Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE highlighted the crucial role of inclusive leadership and collaboration across sectors in driving lasting growth and prosperity.
Opening keynote address and Fireside chat
Susannah Storey, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, provided the opening keynote address, followed by a Fireside Chat with Dr. Nicola Hodson, Chair of IBM UK & Ireland, who shared valuable reflections on her own leadership journey and the importance of collaborative, inclusive leadership for driving growth.
Next generation leadership – what does the future hold?
The opening panel discussion 'Next generation leadership – what does the future hold?', comprising of senior and future leaders, explored diverse approaches to decision-making and discussed how to best develop the future leadership needed to create and sustain inclusive approaches to cross-sector collaboration. Read key takeaways from this panel discussion.
Speakers included: Isabella Fasciani, Future Leaders Graduate Scheme, InterGenerational Mobility Co-Lead, Pfizer UK; Melbourne Barrett, Chief Executive, MTVH (Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing); Michaela Francis, Regional Vice President for Mid Market, Salesforce; Patrick Dunne OBE, Chair, Boardelta, The Royal Voluntary Service, and ESSA
The modern D&I professional
In this session, speakers discussed the evolving role of D&I professionals, from harnessing AI and emerging technologies to working cross-functionally with HR and L&D. Conversations focused on the importance of resilience in a fast-changing environment, cultivating meaningful conversations on inclusive leadership, and the strategic approach one must take to influence decision-making, embed inclusion across the organisation, and drive meaningful impact.
Speakers included: Bernadette Thompson OBE, Executive Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Fiona Vines, Chief Inclusion Officer, BT Group; Professor Tim Soutphommasane, Chief Diversity Officer, University of Oxford
Corporate well-being and standardising inclusion
Speakers examined the intersection of corporate well-being and DEI, sharing insights from public and private sector organisations on driving culture shifts, using metrics to promote inclusive behaviours, and embedding inclusion into procurement processes. The session provided valuable insights on what works—and what doesn’t—when creating high-performance, inclusive workplaces.
Speakers included: Nikki Kirbell, Global Head of Wellbeing, Rolls-Royce; Rachel Rose, Interim Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Ofcom
Inclusive by design
The discussion centred on digital inclusion, emphasizing the need for digital solutions to address real needs and integrate diversity and accessibility in the development process. Speakers reflected on how organisations are collaborating with external partners to enhance digital confidence and using AI to create more inclusive platforms and interactions with both internal and external stakeholders.
Speakers included: Andrew Horton, Director Digital and Innovation, British Council; Neil Milliken, VP and Global Head of Accessibility & Digital Inclusion, Atos; Sherelle Fairweather, Digital Strategy Lead, Manchester City Council
The talent debate
The session brought together senior talent leaders to unpack strategies for driving growth by attracting top talent from diverse backgrounds and developing future leaders who reflect the diversity of society. Conversations focused on defining success in building diverse teams, fostering cross-sector career development to strengthen leadership, and creating inclusive, high-impact talent pipelines that meet both current and future workforce needs.
Speakers included: Annisha Taylor, EDI Strategist and former BBC Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging; Nagina Kayani, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, WWF-UK; Ranson, Head of Public Appointments Talent & Outreach, Cabinet Office
Case study: The inclusive transformation of line managers
Following last year's shift in the UK government and a mission-driven focus that encourages employers to align diversity and inclusion with performance and growth, the speakers presented their case study on how leaders, especially line managers, are navigating this evolving landscape and taking ownership of inclusion in the changing workplace.
Speakers included: Matt Meynell, Deputy Director, Line Manager Capability, Government People Group; Krishma Sawami, Performance and Line Management Lead, Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government
Accepting challenges and collaborating to create meaningful change
The closing panel discussion looked at what it means to be a leader in today’s challenging landscape, highlighting the importance of inclusive, high-performing teams in fostering cross-sector collaboration. Speakers offered insights on adapting to mission-driven approaches, integrating external knowledge to enhance team performance, and balancing current and future leadership skills. The discussion also highlighted some transformative examples of collaboration at the organisational and board levels, demonstrating the value of diverse perspectives in driving collective growth and prosperity.
Speakers included: Fiona Ryland, Government Chief People Officer, Government People Group; Adrian Shooter, Chief People & Culture Officer - UK, Ireland & Global Hub, PMI; Sukhvinder Kaur-Stubbs, Chair of Regeneration, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Closing remarks
Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE closed the conference by thanking all the speakers, delegates, and partners for their valuable insights and thought-provoking discussions. He reaffirmed WIG’s commitment to fostering inclusive leadership and cross-sector collaboration, ensuring organisations are equipped to drive meaningful change and sustainable growth. The closing remarks were followed by a reception, with the floors open for networking and reflection, allowing participants to continue the conversation and forge new cross-sector networks.
Conclusion
Our 11th D&I Conference was more than just an event – it was a catalyst for action, bringing together leaders to move beyond intent and drive meaningful, measurable change. Through bold, impactful conversations on diversity, equality and inclusion across sectors, we explored the strategies, structures, and leadership required to hardwire inclusion into the fabric of organisations. The challenge ahead is clear: to turn insights into impact, ensuring diversity and inclusion are not just values we champion, but forces that shape high-performance, future-ready teams.
We provide opportunities for you and your organisation to meaningfully engage in the key cross-sector opportunities to drive growth and prosperity across the UK. Our expert focus will span mission-driven government and industrial strategy, civil service reform, and the transformation to AI and emerging technologies. Take a preview of what the year ahead holds.