What’s next for DEI: Insights from Thought Leaders

The Equality Conversation

The Equality Conversation
What’s next for DEI: Insights from Thought Leaders
Oct 07, 2025
Joy Burnford

The Equality Conversation podcast with bestselling author Joy Burnford explores what we can all do to champion gender equality at work and is dedicated to the retention and progression of female talent in organisations. Each episode offers inspiration, stories and practical solutions from experts, leaders and senior business women from around the world. Achieving gender balance at work isn’t about fixing the women, it’s about changing the system. So, if you’re looking for insights, guidance or advice on how to enable women to thrive in your organisation, grab a cuppa, go for a walk, or escape for a while and join us for today’s conversation.

Welcome to today’s special episode, where we explore the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion with four leading voices in HR and DEI. Together, we’ll tackle the big questions: How are companies keeping inclusion on the agenda? What language and strategies are most effective? And how can we create workplaces where everyone belongs?
Episode Artwork What’s next for DEI: Insights from Thought Leaders 29:18 Episode Artwork Women in Leadership: Strategies from FTSE 350 organisations leading the way with Edward Haigh 25:56 Episode Artwork Beyond the Game: Leading with Inclusion with Lucy Pearson, Chair at Lord’s Taverners 25:22 Episode Artwork Embracing Change: Women in Leadership in a Disruptive Era with Kathryn Britten, Partner & Managing Director at AlixPartners 29:22 Episode Artwork The benefits and drawbacks of women's leadership initiatives with Rachel Higham 24:08 Episode Artwork From newsroom to Boardroom: via tech, trust and integrity with Kerensa Jennings 25:22 Episode Artwork Empowering progress: The critical role of line managers in retaining women with Fiona Dawson 28:28 Episode Artwork The Authority Gap: Lessons for organisations with Mary Ann Sieghart 29:44 Episode Artwork Traits of a successful leader with Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO of the Co-operative Group 24:10 Episode Artwork Maintaining momentum: The path to lasting gender equality with Nimesh Patel, Group CEO, Spirax Group 35:38 Episode Artwork The route to gender equality: Actions and not words with Tash Frangos, Managing Partner at haysmacintyre 25:52 Episode Artwork Engaging men in gender equality with Jamie Rust, Founder at Leathwaite 24:46 Episode Artwork Creating and sustaining wellbeing at work with Emma Richardson, Director of People and Development at Cripps 29:32 Episode Artwork Building a gender balanced workforce with Kate Shaw, HR Vice President, Global HR Operations, pladis 26:00 Episode Artwork Creating the culture we want to see within the workplace with Dean Curtis CEO of LexisNexis Risk Solutions – Data Services 27:54 Episode Artwork Building a space where colleagues feel at home with Sonia Astill, Chief People Officer, Wickes 30:24 Episode Artwork The journey to 50%-50% gender parity with Christos Tsaprounis, People & Culture Director, Auto Trader UK 29:32 Episode Artwork Getting practical: How to move the dial on gender equality in 2024 featuring Tracy Southwell, Managing Director, Hobart UK & Ireland 38:42 Episode Artwork Coaching to support gender equality with Fahrah Gulamhusein 26:58 Episode Artwork Celebrating World Menopause Day with Barbara Hamilton-Bruce, Simmons & Simmons LLP 24:08 Episode Artwork The importance of intersectionality with Pauline Miller 30:12 Episode Artwork Improving inclusion and mental health at work with Phil Burgess and Felix Koch 26:00 Episode Artwork Supporting women with fertility challenges in the workplace with Natalie Sutherland and Emma Menzies 27:10 Episode Artwork Driving a diversity and inclusion agenda with Dr Julie Humphreys 25:28 Episode Artwork Engaging men in the gender equality debate with Daniele Fiandaca 30:44