Inclusive Workplace Conference 2026

Esther Bennett

Global Head of Colleague Experience at IDeagen

Esther is a globally recognised people leader with a passion for building inclusive, empowering workplace cultures where individuals can thrive. As the Global Head of Colleague Experience at Ideagen, she leads transformative initiatives that elevate the employee experience and foster a deep sense of belonging. A Chartered Member of the Institute of Internal Communications, Esther brings a wealth of expertise in strategic communication, cultural transformation, and employee engagement. She is a tireless advocate for the employee voice and is deeply committed to creating environments where people feel heard, valued, and inspired to grow. Esther’s work is grounded in empathy, authenticity, and a belief that meaningful change begins with listening. Her insights and leadership continue to shape the future of work—making a lasting impact on individuals and organisations alike.

Eugene Blavo

Deputy CEO at Making The Leap

I am the Deputy CEO at Making The Leap and my role involves the implementation of any strategic decisions and ensuring that we run as smoothly as possible. I am approaching my 30th year at Making The Leap and started as a temp. Since then, I have worked in a variety of different roles within the organisation, including Recruitment Consultant and Project Manager, before I became Operations Director. I share a great deal of empathy for the young people we serve, in the sense that I wanted to better myself but didn’t have much direction until I came to Making The Leap. I used to think it was a shame that Making The Leap wasn’t around at the time that I finished my studies, because I knew I had a lot to offer but I didn’t know how to achieve and lacked the confidence to do so. Working here though, it’s turned out alright. I think it’s fabulous that we can now offer young people hope, direction and aspirations.

Fiona Fleming

Head of ED&I at Farrer & Co

Fiona Fleming is the Head of ED&I at Farrer & Co, where she leads on the firm's Conscious Inclusion strategy. A legal-industry specialist, she has a passion for inclusive culture change. Her work has been recognised at the Women and Diversity in Law Awards, where she was shortlisted for DE&I Champion of the Year, and where the firm was named Law Firm of the Year in 2025. Fiona is known for her data-driven approach to inclusion, advocating for measurable impact and tailored engagement across all levels. She has led firm-wide audits, developed inclusive training programmes, and regularly speaks about inclusion in the legal industry. A trusted voice in the legal and professional services sector, Fiona brings clarity, compassion, and strategic insight to every conversation. In her spare time, she sits on the committee of the Legal Neurodiversity Network and volunteers with Norwich Pride.

Idris Arshad

Head of People at Asthma & Lung UK

Idris Arshad is a Chartered Fellow of CIPD and head of people for the charity Asthma and Lung UK. He also lectures for We Are HR, a CIPD accredited learning and HR solutions organisation. A passionate HR leader who advocates to uplift the reputation and showcase the value of HR, Idris is proud of coaching and partnering with leaders to improve front line services and help better serve people in need. Arshad's extensive strategic and operational HR experience in the charity sector covers a range of different organisations from international development, faith based, homelessness, hospice and healthcare. Idris has led the equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and wellbeing agenda strongly throughout his career, most recently in the hospice sector. He has chaired EDI committees, increased the diversity of workforce representation and improved wellbeing cultures. He has completed a Masters in HR and his views and comments about HR have been regularly published in media outlets and on LinkedIn.

Jane van Zyl

CEO at Working Families

Jane joined Working Families as CEO in September 2018. She has held senior leadership positions at a number of UK charities, including Samaritans and Sands. She believes in the value of a fulfilling, balanced working life and its transformative power to create social connections, build self-esteem, and impact the wider community. She is a passionate advocate of equity of opportunity for all. She spent her childhood in the UK (Norfolk) and South Africa (Cape Town & Johannesburg) and is a University of Cape Town graduate (Industrial Sociology and Industrial Psychology).

Jonathan Stuart

Workplace Partnerships Lead at Mind

Working closely with Mind’s Policy and Influencing team, Jonathan Stuart collaborates with employers and policymakers to drive progressive change in workplace mental health. He also acts as Secretariat for the Mental Health at Work Leadership Council, advocating for the Mental Health at Work Commitment as 'the' framework of best practice. To date, the Commitment has been signed by over 3,700 organisations employing almost 6 million people. Previously, Jonathan worked in programme delivery, including the Blue Light Programme, supporting emergency responders during the Covid19 pandemic. In these roles, he led initiatives to reduce mental health stigma, design sustainable mental health resources, and influence senior leaders to embed workplace mental health as a strategic priority. His expertise lies in building cross-sector relationships and creating lasting impact through behaviour change, supporting Mind’s vision of mentally healthy work for all.

Julie Dennis

Head of Inclusive Workplace Strategy & Policy at ACAS

Julie is a Diversity and Inclusion specialist with over 20 years’ experience gained within the public and voluntary sector. As Head of Inclusive Workplace Strategy & Policy at ACAS, Julie is responsible for leading Acas’ Inclusive Workplaces strategy & policy programme to drive more inclusive workplaces across the UK. She has successfully developed and delivered strategic D&I initiatives relating to employment and service delivery and is one of the country’s most experienced professionals in this field. Over the years, Julie has developed and sustained robust corporate diversity and inclusion infrastructures including internal diversity staff networks and diversity champions, a wide range of positive action initiatives, internal diversity monitoring across all diversity strands, award winning diversity campaigns in order to increase awareness of diversity and inclusion and its relationship with cultural change, along with a suite of diversity and inclusion training packages, including unconscious bias and inclusive leadership. Julie is proud to be a diversity ally and a champion for mental health awareness, often sharing her own personal story about living with anxiety caused by PTSD.

Kim Hoque

King’s Business School

Kul Verma

Deep Insight

Madeleine Cole

Co-founder at The Inclusive Workplace

Driving organisational change to remove barriers and close gaps. Facilitating conversations around inclusive workplaces for all through flexible working and high trust cultures. Everyone should be able to live the life they love and love the work they do. Equal working opportunities for all no matter sex, colour, physical ability or cultural background. Always happy to talk to people working in the same industries as us, and those who are passionate about flexible working.

Mary Clare Race

CEO at Talking Talent

Nebel Crowhurst

Ex-CPO at Reward Gateway

Passionate about shaping workplaces where people and culture thrive, Nebel partners with organisations to build people strategies that unlock potential and drive meaningful, lasting change. Her career spans global brands and high-growth, PE-backed businesses including Virgin, River Island, Roche, and Reward Gateway, where she served as Chief People Officer during its record breaking acquisition, and became the world’s first Chief Appreciation Officer. Recognised on HR Magazine’s Most Influential List (2021–2023) and a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, Nebel is dedicated to elevating the impact of HR as a driver of business performance and human connection. She now works as a Fractional Chief People Officer and Board Advisor, helping purpose-led companies build future-ready cultures where people truly flourish.

Patrick Foster

Founder at GAM-Ed

Paul Modley

Head of DEI at AMS

Rebekah Heaven

Global Head - Future of Work and Advocacy Strategy at Standard Chartered Bank

Rebekah has a range of international experience for corporates as diverse as engineering, financial services, airline and outsourcing. Her background in risk, technology and organisational development is a perfect mix to build the strategy for helping Standard Chartered’s 80,000 global employees get ready for the future of work. Rebekah has deep expertise in working with executive leaders on strategy, organisation development and culture. Prior to her current role as Global Head of Future of Work & Advocacy Strategy she was leading the culture agenda for several years, focused on transforming the bank so it could accelerate its growth. Her style is human, energetic and focused on bringing people together to deliver results. Rebekah has led the banks approach on menopause since 2022 and chairs a cross-functional working group that is dedicated to educating and raising awareness across our 54 markets globally.

Sam Willoughby

Event Director at MA Exhibitions

A creative, passionate, agile and dynamic events professional with over 25 years of experience working in Senior positions for the worlds No1 and No.2 , b2b events organisers. In 2018, I ran my own events business delivering consumer wellness events (Live Well London and events for brands). Most recently I also joined Mark Allen Group as the Event Director on the Health & Wellbeing at Work event and have now joined as Group Event Director across Health & Wellbeing at Work, The Primary Care show and the newly acquired Inclusive Workplace Conference.

Tiger De Souza

Samaritans

Tinne Ledwitch-Madsen

Head of Inclusion, Wellbeing & Experience at Post Office

Tom Norrish

EMEA Neurodiversity Lead at JPMorgan Chase

Tom Norrish is the Neurodiversity Lead for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at JPMorgan Chase, working from their Bournemouth office. He is responsible for making sure that all aspects of an employee’s experience are neuroinclusive. Tom delivers the firm’s Autism at Work programming in region, so all members of the community have the supports they need to thrive in the workplace. During his 25 year tenure with the firm, Tom has held a broad range of roles, to include Business Operations, Service Management and Technology. As a member of the neurodivergent community, Tom is passionate about driving neuroinclusive practices for employees in the workplace and developing external programming for neurodivergent students, and emerging talent of all ages.

Ursula Tavender

Co-founder at The Inclusive Workplace

A standout moment: partnering with Pfizer UK to cut their gender pay gap from 15.9% to 6.6% in just four years. Through the Inclusive Workplace Conference (acquired in Jan 2025 by Mark Allen Exhibitions) I’ve also convened 2,000+ senior leaders and 350+ expert speakers to move inclusive innovation forward faster. I continue to act as an advisor, ensuring the annual programme meets the evolving needs of the leaders within our community. Alongside this, I equip individuals to claim visibility as a strategic skill. This led to The Visibility Advantage (Summer 2025), co-authored with my co-founder Dagmar Albers; a practical toolkit for building influence, confidence and career agility without the ick factor. Outside of my core work, I mentor young women through The Girls’ Network, helping them build networks and realise their potential. Named one of HR Magazine’s Top 10 Most Influential Thinkers in 2024 and 2025 and a UN Women CSW69 Delegate, I am driven by a singular mission: To ensure people are not just included in the future of work, but positioned to lead it.