Did you catch the 2019 GG2 Diversity Conference?

This year, we heard from some of Britain’s most influential thought-leaders and diversity practitioners on a range of topics including the ethnicity pay gap, mental health at work and disability inclusion.

Want to join us in 2020? Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to transform your business into an inclusive, equal space where employees from all backgrounds can thrive.

For all of those who missed it, here’s a roundup of some of our incredible 2019 speakers…

Keynote speech: Matthew Syed, writer, broadcaster and thought leader

In his keynote speech, best-selling author Matthew addressed the different types of diversity, including the ideas behind cognitive diversity. He claimed that merging models together was significant in encouraging different ways of thinking. It was important to listen to viewpoints that were different from the norm, he said, as this could ultimately reflect in the success of diversity and inclusion within organisations.

Change the Ratio: Understanding the Power of Difference: Salman Amin, CEO of Pladis

Speaking on the conference theme, Change the Ratio, Salman emphasised that inclusion was the smartest way for businesses to thrive. Adding that a shared vision and a common purpose was what drove teams forward, the global CEO told delegates that “without inclusion, there is no diversity”.

My Journey: Assistant commissioner AC Neil Basu QPM, national lead for counterterrorism

The most senior Asian officer in the police force, Neil looked back upon his personal journey rising to the top and the barriers he overcome. As well as remarking on his own experiences, Neil also addressed the role of the police in the UK today – and how vital it was for trust to be built between the service and the public. In order to generate that trust, he said, it was important that the police was “truly representative of communities”.

Disability Inclusion in the Workplace: How to Make Your Business Accessible: Panel featuring The Campaign 500’s Marianne Waite, Monster’s Jay Muthu, and Microsoft’s Hector Minto

Our disability panel brought some interesting insights onto the table. Sharing their thoughts and personal experiences, the panel discussed how disability could bring new perspective and opportunities for growth to a company. They also agreed that fear was a key factor which could negatively affect the progress of disability inclusion in the workplace, meaning that it gets left off the agenda

Race and Identity: Catalysing Cultural Change Within Your Organisation: Panel featuring Department of International Department’s Ravi Chand CBE, Bloomberg’s Manisha Mehrotra and Department of Education’s Rob Neil OBE

The race and identity panel left our delegates with a vital message – always bring your true self to work. The group emphasised that organisations need to instigate cultural change in order to support ethnic minorities and women in the workplace, stressing that it was important to create environments where everyone felt comfortable being themselves.

Supporting Mental Health at Work: Panel featuring City Mental Health Alliance’s Poppy Jaman OBE, HSBC’s Brian Heyworth and Dishoom’s Shamil Thakrar

Our mental health panel shared their experiences on how to eliminate mental health stigmas in the workplace and promote positive, supportive work environments. It was important that employers skilled up workforces to address mental illness and sustain towards key goals, our speakers agreed. Realising that staff were ‘real people’ was key to creating a positive space, knocking down barriers and opening conversations around mental health issues.