This year’s eagerly anticipated Inclusion Summit, hosted by WiTHL and Diversity in Retail (DiR) is set to take place on the 1st of November to celebrate the very best of the country’s diversity and inclusion across hospitality, travel, leisure and retail.
Taking place in central London, the event will play host to a range of powerful and informative talks and discussions around the dynamic issue of diversity in the workplace. The Summit boasts industry heavyweights from leading brands including McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s, ODEON, Hilton and Selfridges. A selection of leading industry voices will gather at the iconic ODEON cinema in Leicester Square to offer valuable insight into changing attitudes towards diversity; and the importance of creating an inclusive culture within a business.
CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY IN RETAIL
The event will commence with a series of welcome addresses from Founder and Chair of WiTHL and DiR, Tea Colaianni, and Mark Way, CEO of ODEON Cinemas Group, followed by the Annual Report findings delivered by Elliot Goldstein, Managing Partner at The MBS Group.
Among this year’s impressive roster of contributors are Keith Barr, CEO of IHG, Debbie Hewitt MBE, Chair of The Football Association, Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury’s, Humphrey Cobbold, CEO of PureGym and Debbie Robinson CEO of Central England Co-op. These leaders will kick off the first of three panel discussions entitled ‘Maintaining Commitment’, hosted by Halina Khan, Human Resources Business Partner from McDonald’s and Craig Beccan Head of Programmes & Portfolio from Flutter Entertainment; (Alumni of the WiHTL/DiR Ethnic Future Leader and Ethnic Senior Leader Programmes).
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION INSIGHTS
Dr Claire Hamlin Partner, Director of Q5 is also set to interview Denise Wilson CEO of FTSE Women Leaders Review and Lesley-Ann Nash from the Parker Review Committee, to reveal their expert insight around the topic of ‘Beyond Boardroom Diversity’. Another thought-provoking panel discussion will see Garry Clarke-Strange Head of Inclusion and Diversity of Greene King, Suzie Welch, Chief People Officer of ODEON Cinemas Group and Donna Catley, Chief People Officer of Compass explore the diversity and inclusion landscape across hospitality, travel, leisure and retail, facilitated by Hawa Newell-Sydique Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of Selfridges.
Following Mary Portas’ highly anticipated Fireside Chat on ‘The Kindness Economy’, a final panel discussion around ‘Diversity and Inclusion Tangible Impact’ facilitated by Jyoti Tailor, VP Finance EMEA of the Hilton will see Matt Case, Central Ops Manager of Whitbread, Anu Khalifah, Deputy Manager at Watches of Switzerland, Carly Tait, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Business Partner at JD Sports and Zee Botchway, Operations Senior Procurement Manager of Wickes share their thoughts, whilst calling upon their own experiences across their careers and their involvement in WiHTL/DiR’s impactful programmes.
CREATING DIVERSE & INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS
“We are delighted to announce some outstanding additions to our well-storied selection of speakers at this year’s Summit. Diversity and inclusion should be, and is, at the forefront of many business agendas despite the geopolitical and economic challenges experienced by all in such turbulent times,” stated Tea Colaianni, Founder of WiTHL and DiR. “The Summit will offer a real insight into the amazing progress that has been made by the members of our Collaboration Community collectively and individually. We have representatives from some of the world’s most reputable brands and we anticipate some great discussions and insights for all to enjoy. The Summit will also offer the opportunity to reflect on the work we have done as a Community over the last five years and renew the industry’s commitment to maintain engagement and momentum in this area.”
WiTHL is a collaboration community that supports companies across the hospitality, travel and leisure industries to create diverse and inclusive environments. It has clear ambitions of positively impacting five million employees globally by 2025. Similarly, Diversity in Retail is a community specifically devoted to increasing diversity and inclusion across retail, with a mission to positively impact 1 million employees. For more information on the Inclusion Summit click here.
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Check out the inspirational diversity and inclusion champions working hard to create more inclusive workplaces within retail here.
Some of the UK’s largest retailers such as Asda, John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, Selfridges and WHSmith have provided key insights into how they are creating inclusive workplaces for their staff. Click here to continue reading.
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