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.

It is a pleasure to welcome Rachel Higham as my guest today. Rachel is Chief Digital & Technology Officer at Marks & Spencer and has previously held technology leadership roles at companies including WPP, BT and Vodafone. She is also a Board Member at Macmillan Cancer Support. Rachel joins me today to talk about her commitment to building more diverse and inclusive working environments, and helping women to achieve their full potential. 

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.

It is a pleasure to welcome Kerensa Jennings as my guest today. Kerensa is a business leader, non-executive director, and adviser, a Professor of Media, Strategy, and Communications, and CEO at Inglenook Global. She has previously held senior roles at the BBC, the Royal Household, and BT. She’s also written a bestselling psychological thriller, ‘Seas of Snow.’ She joins me today to share tips and advice on promoting gender equality within organisations, drawn from her incredible career.

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.

It is a pleasure to welcome Fiona Dawson as my guest today. Fiona spent 33 years at Mars, holding many leadership roles across the business, before retiring in 2021 to focus on building her non-executive career. She is a non-executive director at LEGO, Marks and Spencer and Kerry Foods as well as President of the Chartered Management Institute and a trustee to the Social Mobility Foundation. She was also awarded a CBE in 2021 for services to women and the economy so I’m really looking forward to this conversation and am sure we’ll learn a lot from her today! 

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.

It is a pleasure to welcome Mary Ann Sieghart as my guest today. Mary Ann is a journalist, public speaker, consultant, non-executive director, broadcaster and author of the best-selling book, 'The Authority Gap: Why women are still taken less seriously than men, and what we can do about it'. 

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

It is a pleasure to welcome Shirine Khoury-Haq as my guest today. Shirine is the CEO at the Co-op Group and is the first female chief executive of the business since the Co-op was founded back in 1863. She joins me today to talk about her career and her advice on how we can move the dial on gender equality.

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

It is a pleasure to welcome Nimesh Patel as my guest today. Nimesh is Group Chief Executive Officer of the Spirax Group and is also Co-Chair of the FTSE Women Leaders Review which sets recommendations to improve women’s representation at the top of British business. He joins me today to talk about progressing women in the workplace and how we can all keep up the momentum and drive to build truly equitable workplaces in the future. 

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

It is a pleasure to welcome Tash Frangos as my guest today. Tash is Managing Partner of haysmacintyre, an award-winning firm of chartered accountants and tax advisors, and is the first female Managing Partner in the firm’s history. She joins me today to talk about how gender equality can drive business growth and performance, and her passion for championing diversity and supporting women in business.   

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

It is a pleasure to welcome Jamie Rust as my guest today. Jamie is one of the four founders of Leathwaite, the functional search specialists. Having co-founded the business in 1999, Jamie sits on the Board and provides a strategic perspective to help drive the growth of the business. He joins me today to talk about promoting equality, strategies for attracting and retaining senior female talent, and the importance of inclusive leadership. 

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

It is a pleasure to welcome Emma Richardson as my guest today. Emma is Director of People and Development at law firm, Cripps. She joins me today to talk about the journey to becoming B Corp certified, putting people first and the importance of creating and sustaining wellbeing at work.   

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

It is a pleasure to welcome Kate Shaw as my guest today. Kate is HR Vice President - Global HR Operations at the biscuit and chocolate company, pladis. She joins me today to talk about how pladis is committed to achieving gender balanced representation and how they are building a happy and inclusive place to work where all 16,000 colleagues can thrive.

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

It is a pleasure to welcome Dean Curtis as my guest today. Dean is CEO of LexisNexis Risk Solutions – Data Services, and has been recognised for the fourth year in a row on the HERoes role model list, a testament to the great work he and his team are doing to promote inclusion. He joins me today to talk about his passion for diversity and some of the initiatives that have helped create an inclusive culture within the businesses he leads.

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

It is a pleasure to welcome Sonia Astill as my guest today. Sonia is Chief People Officer at Wickes, a long-standing client of ours at Encompass Equality. She joins me today to talk about making Wickes a more inclusive and diverse place to work where anyone - no matter who they are or where they’re from - can feel at home.

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

It is a pleasure to welcome Christos Tsaprounis as my guest today. Christos is People & Culture Director at Auto Trader UK, a company recognised for its brilliant work around inclusivity and gender equality. He joins me today to talk about some of the initiatives that have helped Auto Trader on its journey to 50:50 gender parity, and how these have made a positive impact on the organisation being an equitable place to work.

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

I’m delighted to welcome Tracy Southwell as my guest today. Tracy is Managing Director at the Commercial Catering Equipment Manufacturer, Hobart UK & Ireland. She joins me today to talk about the top three things that have made a difference in accelerating gender equality and the retention of women at Hobart. 

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

I’m delighted to welcome Fahrah Gulamhusein as my guest today. Fahrah is the founder of Coaching on Purpose and works with us at Encompass Equality on our coaching programmes. She has also coached me personally, so I know what great insights she has! Fahrah joins me today to talk about coaching, finding your purpose and how coaching can support greater gender equality in organisations.  

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

I’m delighted to welcome Barbara Hamilton-Bruce as my guest today. Barbara is a partner and Gender Network Co-Chair at law firm Simmons & Simmons and leads on all their menopause activity. She joins me today, on World Menopause Day, to help raise awareness of the menopause and how supporting midlife women in the workplace can result in greater gender equality in organisations. 

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

I’m delighted to welcome Pauline Miller as my guest today. Pauline is Chief Equity Officer for EMEA at the advertising and public relations company Dentsu, and former Head of Talent Development and Inclusion at Lloyd’s of London which is when we met. Pauline joins me today to talk about her career and the importance of intersectionality when thinking about gender equality in the workplace. 

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

Today I’m delighted to welcome Phil Burgess and Felix Koch as my guests. Phil and Felix were previously Joint Managing Directors at C Space where they were instrumental in driving forward inclusion and gender diversity. Phil then went on to become Chief People Officer and Felix, CEO of C Space's EMEA & APAC regions. They have now founded Within, a company which delivers programmes that build connected workplace cultures, and join me today to talk about improving inclusion and mental health at work.

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

It is a real pleasure to welcome Natlie Sutherland and Emma Menzies as my guests today. Natalie is a specialist family law solicitor and partner at Burgess Mee, and Emma is a fertility at work coach and consultant who also works with me on our programmes at Encompass Equality. They are also both co-hosts of the award-winning In/Fertility in the City podcast. I’m delighted they are joining me today to talk about what organisations and employers can do to support women with fertility challenges in the workplace.  

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

I’m delighted to welcome Dr Julie Humphreys as my guest today. Julie is the Group Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Reach plc and is also the host of the 'D&I Spy, Inclusion Uncovered' podcast. Julie joins me today to talk about her experience setting up a new dedicated D&I function at Reach and leading their diversity and inclusion agenda. 

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

Today I’m excited to welcome Daniele Fiandaca as my guest. Daniele is the founder of Token Man Consulting, a Top 50 Gender Equality Trailblazer and was named as one of Management Today’s Top 30 Male Agents of Change. He joins me today to talk about engaging men in the gender equality debate and masculinity in the workplace. 

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

Today I’m excited to welcome Will McDonald, a job-sharing expert and consultant who works with me on our programmes. Will was previously in the only male senior job-share in the UK as Group Sustainability and Public Policy Director at Aviva and now uses his experience to help other organisations successfully implement job sharing. We’re also joined by my colleague Edward Haigh, who is Strategy Director at Encompass Equality. 

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

It is an absolute pleasure to welcome Donna Kennedy as my guest today. Donna is the Global Director of People and Culture at X4 Group and is starting to implement job-sharing in her organisation for the first time to attract and hire the best talent. I’m excited to see what we can learn from this job-sharing pioneer.

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

I’m delighted to welcome Laura Walker and Chloe Fletcher as my guests today. Laura and Chloe share the role of Senior Director, Finance Transformation at ASDA. I am a strong advocate of job-sharing as a brilliant way to retain more women in the workforce and close the gender pay gap, so let’s dive in and hear from these fantastic role models for job sharing. 

Our focus for this season is on wellbeing and self-care and I’ll be talking to some incredible women and experts from around the world to share their real-life stories, advice and tips to help you manage your wellbeing alongside your career.

Today I'm joined by Debbie Bullock, the award winning Wellbeing Lead at Aviva, who shares with me some of the great work the organisation is doing to support its people. This episode is useful for anyone who is responsible for the health and wellbeing of their staff, and anyone who is in search of a healthier life.

The Confidence Conversation podcast with Joy Burnford explores the world of women, work and what it takes to feel more confident. A lack of confidence is not a crime. So, if you need some motivation, inspiration or a boost of confidence, grab a cuppa, go for a dog walk, or escape for a drive and join us for today’s conversation about confidence.

A big thank you to Coach Matters for sponsoring this season. Coach Matters offers recently qualified and experienced coaches the opportunity to expand their business development capabilities, allowing them to reach more clients and lead successful coaching careers. Through network membership, programmes, masterclasses and wellbeing events, they provide a supportive learning space for coaches to thrive. Coach Matters is offering our listeners an exclusive offer of 3 month’s free membership of its network when you reference this podcast. To find out more, visit coachmatters.co.uk/mcm.