Implementation Hosts

Amanda Arrowsmith is the People and Transformation Director at the CIPD, a role she assumed in October 2022. With over 25 years of experience in HR across public, private, and third sectors, Amanda brings a wealth of global HR knowledge and a unique understanding of diverse organisational cultures. She is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and has previously volunteered committee member, blogger, speaker, and panel member. She also volunteers as an independent committee member at the NCVO. Her broad expertise enables her to add value to businesses by focusing on the development of people and organisations in line with business strategy.

As a speaker, Amanda is known for challenging the status quo and focusing on practical, real-world solutions. She is able to deliver thought-provoking insights and tangible takeaways. Amanda’s perspective on 'people and culture' emphasises the importance of individual stories in shaping a company’s culture and her advocacy for flexible working practices reflects her forward-thinking approach to talent management.
Claire is the Policy & Practice Manager at the CIPD. She leads the CIPD’s policy and practice work on flexible and new ways of working and resourcing and talent management. Claire also leads work on carers, working parents and compassionate bereavement support and works with colleagues on menopause and menstrual health workplace support.
Previously, Claire ran her own research and consultancy organisation and was acting head of research and principal researcher at Roffey Park. Claire is the author of a range of reports, has responded to numerous Government consultations and has given evidence at a range of parliamentary groups and committees.
With nearly two decades of work in the fertility sector Anya was most recently the lead for Fertility Network UK’s workplace initiative. Overseeing delivery of training and support to a wide variety of organisation and groups. From large internationals, hospital trusts, charities, and SME’s.
Her work within the sector has included seven years overseeing patient care at the London Women’s clinic Harley Street. As well as being the Author of the book Fertile thinking and co-creator of two courses for people experiencing infertility.
She is often in the media as a champion for the patient perspective on fertility issues and is currently busy lobbying MPs and speaking in Parliament regarding fair provision of IVF for all.
Anya is currently the Speaker for London Borough of Hackney for the municipal year 2023-2024 and a local councillor for Hoxton east and Shoreditch. She has worked for three MP’s, most recently as senior office staff for David Lammy MP.
Her passion for increasing diversity in politics has led to her being an executive member of the Fabian womens network for many years and to work with amongst other projects, Stella Creasey’s MotheRed Campaign to encourage more mothers into parliament.
She has two children from IVF one from adoption and is a Champion for both the Saying Goodbye and Home for good charities.

9.15 - 9.40

From Biology to Business: Understanding female hormones and their impact to improve productivity and reduce attrition.

The impact of female hormones on women at work is a multifaceted issue that involves both physiological and psychological dimensions. Understanding these impacts can help create a more supportive work environment for women. Here's an overview of how hormones can affect women in the workplace, how employers could make adaptations and what the world's best employers are doing to harness hormones positively and help women thrive.
Deirdre O'Neill is the Chief Commercial & Legal Officer at Hertility. She is also a dual-qualified lawyer in England and Ireland and has worked in corporate law for a number of years. She has a masters in Medical Law from King’s College London.

Hertility is a reproductive health company shaping the future of the workplace. We’re working with the world’s most forward-thinking companies to proactively support employees across every life stage with end to end care spanning women’s health, fertility, LGBTQ+ family-forming & menopause.

The workplace wasn’t designed with everyone in mind, we’re here to change that. We empower employers to attract, support and retain a diverse, thriving and innovative workforce with expert-led education, comprehensive health screening and policy review.

Hertility is setting a new standard of care and support in the workplace for women and families alike by empowering organisations to become accredited as Reproductively Responsible™ employers.

09.40-10.20

When in Doubt Bring Data: How to make the business case for equity at work

Undoubtedly, there is a huge economic benefit to advancing and retaining women in workplaces. But what about at an individual business level? In this session, we will hear from HR business partners who have successfully made and won the business case for policies and initiatives that have moved the needle on women’s policies. How to make incremental business cases which drive sure progress.
Prerana Issar is Chief People Officer for Sainsbury’s. Prior to joining Sainsbury’s, Prerana was the NHS’s first Chief People Officer and supported the 1.2 million people who work for the NHS to deliver critical care for patients, including through the COVID-19 pandemic, the most challenging period of the NHS’s history. Before that, Prerana worked at the United Nations World Food Programme as Director of Public-Private Partnerships and Chief HR Officer. She is focused on HR delivering commercial impact, having started her career at Unilever plc, where she spent 15 years and finishing her time there as Vice President of HR for Global Food. Prerana is a trustee on the Marie Curie Board of Trustees.
Lucy entered the world of finance in 2014 as an investment consultant at Mercer before changing career and following her passion to work in diversity equity and inclusion, becoming DEI and Pay Equity Consulting Leader, for Mercer UK. She is the Global Strategic Initiatives Leader for Mercer Pride, following several years in the UK leadership team. Lucy is also a founding member of a local Lean In group. With the EU Directive on Pay Transparency and Equal Pay driving change across the region, the aim of Mercer’s survey on UK Pay Gap reporting and pay transparency is to learn more about the current status and progress of organisations regarding pay gap and pay transparency reporting in the UK, even though they are not directly impacted by the new legislation. The questionnaire consists of questions covering various aspects of pay gaps and pay transparency. We would like to understand more about how organisations are approaching the pay transparency topic, and any challenges that might come with this.
Kirstin is the People Director at Channel 4. Prior to this, Kirstin has held a number of senior people roles including BBC Worldwide, Kantar, Twentieth Century Fox and Discovery. In all of these roles her main responsibilities include leading a strategy to enable and underpin a dynamic culture that fosters creativity, diversity, inclusion and innovation. Kirstin is also a Non-Executive for British Wheelchair Basketball.
Kirstin is passionate about how organisations can support individuals being their best to drive company results. Her resource site (kirstinfurber.com) has been developed specifically to support leaders looking to create a human culture where everyone can do their best work to drive transformation and growth.
Kirstin is also a TedEx speaker, where she recently shared her thoughts on the Sunday Night Blues.

10.20 - 10.50

Refreshments

Explore our Partner Pods

Grab yourself a coffee, network with peers and explore our amazing line up of partners on the Gallery level.

10.50 - 11.30

How to develop and implement a fertility policy in complex, diverse organisations

Our panellists will share how they have developed and implemented fertility support networks and policies at scale. Here, they will share their experiences of how they have won the business case to help employees with fertility (and infertility) issues, which address complex employee needs alongside legal considerations. Hear best practice candid advice on how to foster a supportive workplace environment for all.
Dr Krystal Wilkinson is an Associate Professor in Human Resource Management, based at the Centre for Decent Work and Productivity at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on the work-life interface, women’s health, mental health and wellbeing at work. Current and recent research projects have focused on solo-living staff; those navigating complex fertility journeys (including fertility tests, fertility treatment, pregnancy loss and involuntary childlessness); maternity management; mental health in pregnancy and post-birth; women’s reproductive health including menstruation, menstrual health conditions and menopause; and mental health in women in STEM professions. She has published in leading academic journals, featured in various media outlets and trade press (including the BBC, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times and People Management magazine), and is lead editor of the 2024 book: Work-Life Inclusion: Broadening perspectives across the life-course. Krystal is passionate about knowledge exchange and is working with various stakeholders to raise awareness and create resources, including the CIPD, national charities, campaign groups and employers. Prior to working in academia, Krystal held operational Human Resource Management roles in different industries, including construction, retail and hospitality. She is a Chartered Member of the CIPD and an Ambassador for the Maternal Mental Health Alliance.
Ami is a Finance Project and Governance Manager and has been at Centrica for almost 10 years and has a passion for driving change. She is a chartered accountant having worked in FTSE companies and co-chair of the Fertility Sanctuary Network whose purpose is to enable colleagues to “Grow their Families as well as Careers” having navigated her own pathway to parenthood at work
Caroline
is an experienced Healthcare Leader, with a breadth of expertise in both private and public healthcare. As a qualified NHS Midwife
Caroline
has held a variety of clinical, specialist and management roles in the NHS, leading clinical teams and implementing healthcare policy.
Caroline
most recently led the Maternal and Infant Care Medical Devices UK and Ireland Business for GE Healthcare.
At Apricity,
Caroline
heads up the Patient Experience and Onboarding Team, a team of egg donation specialists, fertility advisors and fertility nurses and midwives.
Caroline
is passionate about creating a fertility experience that is accessible, supported and empowering.
With nearly two decades of work in the fertility sector Anya was most recently the lead for Fertility Network UK’s workplace initiative. Overseeing delivery of training and support to a wide variety of organisation and groups. From large internationals, hospital trusts, charities, and SME’s.
Her work within the sector has included seven years overseeing patient care at the London Women’s clinic Harley Street. As well as being the Author of the book Fertile thinking and co-creator of two courses for people experiencing infertility.
She is often in the media as a champion for the patient perspective on fertility issues and is currently busy lobbying MPs and speaking in Parliament regarding fair provision of IVF for all.
Anya is currently the Speaker for London Borough of Hackney for the municipal year 2023-2024 and a local councillor for Hoxton east and Shoreditch. She has worked for three MP’s, most recently as senior office staff for David Lammy MP.
Her passion for increasing diversity in politics has led to her being an executive member of the Fabian womens network for many years and to work with amongst other projects, Stella Creasey’s MotheRed Campaign to encourage more mothers into parliament.
She has two children from IVF one from adoption and is a Champion for both the Saying Goodbye and Home for good charities.

11.30 - 11.50

Case Study = Paternity Leave

onny Baker is a full-time employer at the BBC.

In 2023, he took the opportunity of 6 months parental leave. He made this decision as his wife, who works as a freelancer, would not get paid if she took the time herself. He felt she needed this time for her own career, and wanted to be the one to spend time with his daughter and his four-year-old son, who was also adjusting to life with a sibling.

Jonny says "I feel it’s extremely important for equal opportunities when it comes to childcare. For the family to have choice, men need to be able to look after children more easily and women not to be forced to break from a career should they not want to. It’s beneficial for everyone including the employer."

11.50 - 12.20

Parental/ Carer leave and Flexible Working: Moving from Policy to Effective Implementation at Scale

A policy is a piece of paper until it takes on meaning and significance in organisations and, most importantly, in employees’ lived experiences. How can HR leaders roll out policies i.e. one where salaries aren’t cut by 20% for a four-day week; where parental leave is considered beyond standard time lines and where every unique path is considered and respected? that are contentious in the eyes of some and life-changing in the eyes of others?
Stephanie Leung is the Founder and CEO of KareHero (formerly Caresourcer), the UK's only fully comprehensive later life care support service, addressing the legal, financial (non-FCA), and medical care needs for all adults with acute or chronic health conditions.

KareHero has helped 3 millions families since inception with personalised care expertise, incl. hospital discharge, unlocking £4.6 million in care funding, and saving caregivers time & money. Before KareHero, Stephanie sat on the board of Uber UK and managed its Operations across Europe, and is currently a Non-Exec Director at FTSE100 Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust. She completed her Masters at Harvard & Cambridge where she specialised in health and population policy
I joined Lewis Silkin on qualification in 2002. I was made a partner in 2009 and in 2012, I opened our office in Cardiff where I manage the office and head a growing employment team.
I advise on the full range of employment issues with a focus on legal and strategic advice on redundancies/restructuring; sensitive terminations and practical advice on the operation of TUPE. I also have considerable experience of Employment Tribunal litigation having successfully defended a number of complicated discrimination cases.
Employment
I am a member of Lewis Silkin's specialist TUPE team and I advise regularly on the legal and practical implications of the TUPE regulations. In particular, I have considerable experience:
- Advising on the impact of TUPE in an outsourcing situation or when services change hands
- Drafting and reviewing TUPE provisions in contracts.
I have considerable transactional experience supporting businesses (and groups of businesses) with:
- Large scale and high profile redundancy and restructuring processes (generally involving collective consultation); and
- The employment aspects of acquisitions/dispositions (whether share or asset sale).
Advertising & Marketing
I head the employment team's advertising and marketing sector group and regularly work with colleagues across the firm when advising clients in this sector. I have particular experience of advising on whether TUPE applies when a client account changes hands and of reviewing TUPE related provisions in client/agency agreements.
Retail, Hospitality & Leisure
As part of Lewis Silkin's Retail, Hospitality & Leisure sector group I work regularly with colleagues across the firm when advising clients in this sector. I have particular experience of advising clients in this sector on restructuring and re-organising their businesses to adapt to changing market conditions.
Diana is an experienced Organisation Effectiveness Director with broad skills across both HR generalist and specialist disciplines. She has spent the last 18 years working at the BT Group successfully crafting and delivering complex, multi-year, enterprise-wide people & culture transformation at both a global and national level. Most recently Diana has been leading a programme aimed at putting BT Group back in pole position as a leader in the market on inclusive flexibility and health. BT Group recently launched exceptional family health benefits for all parents, generous levels of paid carers leave and new healthcare pathways aimed at plugging the gap in the existing healthcare provision around menopause and periods that have such an impact on women’s ability to manage their wellbeing.

12.20 - 13.45

Networking Lunch

Explore our Partner Pods

Network with peers over a buffet style lunch and explore our amazing line up of partners on the Gallery level.

13.45-14.15

Menstruation to Menopause, how to build a supportive culture that works for all

Embedding a culture that supports women through all stages of their reproductive health, from menstruation to menopause. To create a truly inclusive environment, we must normalise conversations around these natural biological processes and implement policies that provide practical support. This includes flexible work arrangements, access to menstrual products, comprehensive healthcare benefits, and education programs to foster understanding among all employees. By doing so, we promote women's well-being and productivity and cultivate a workplace where everyone feels respected and valued. Let us explore how we can collectively build a culture that works for all.
Anne Hayes heads up the BSI Knowledge teams that lead the Sector strategies and the standards to ensure UK and global innovation and policy are supported with relevant standards. Having spent 20 years working within the standardisation world she has experience across a broad range of industries and sectors having headed up teams for Governance, Risk and resilience as well as healthcare and sustainability.
Previously to BSI Anne was Editorial Director at Sweet & Maxwell Ltd.
Maxine Fletcher - Maxine is a member of the senior staff team in the Faculty of Health and Life Science at Oxford Brookes University. She is a registered Social Worker and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AdvanceHE). Maxine has been leading on the University's Menopause in the Workplace (and more recently) Menstrual Equity initiatives for several years and, together with colleagues, is now working on embedding
BS30416 into the University culture.
Ruby is an experienced business advisor with a three-decade-long career in professional services. She spent the last 20 years at PwC, where she became a senior partner. Additionally, she has been the Chair and Non-Executive Director of TOTM for 5 years. Ruby is passionate about championing better, sustainable ways to manage periods.
Naomi Begum-Inglis is the Global Sales Lead for the Accenture Microsoft Business Group and the Global Sovereign Lead. With a strong background in software engineering and technology, Naomi has excelled in delivering innovative solutions to clients. Her expertise lies in leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing to drive digital transformation and enhance business outcomes.
Naomi is celebrated for her ability to move at a rapid pace, earning trust and respect as she leads the charge in a multi-billion dollar business, where her exceptional skills facilitate seamless client transformations to the cloud, offering valuable expertise and guidance that empowers clients to make impactful and informed business decisions.
Naomi's dedication and commitment to her work have earned her recognition as a reliable and results-oriented leader. She is known for her ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams, enabling successful implementation of complex projects. Her exceptional problem-solving skills and strategic thinking have contributed to the success of numerous high-profile initiatives.
Beyond her technical prowess, Naomi is also passionate about diversity and inclusion, actively promoting an inclusive work environment where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive. Naomi is also a guest lecturer at Oxford University on technology topics.
Her strong interpersonal skills and empathetic approach make her a valued mentor and team player. Naomi is an exemplary global leader who possesses a profound understanding of various cultures, local nuances, and is exceptionally adept at ensuring her strategies incorporate a local approach while maintaining a global essence.

14.15-14.45

The Galvanising Power of ERG's and Womens network & support groups - how to make them work

When operating at optimum energy, ERGs can be an organisational game-changer. 90% of Fortune 500 companies have employee resource groups or ERGs. Grassroots and employee-led entities can ransform workplaces offering groups and individuals safe, inclusive spaces where they can share honest concerns, anxieties and personal stories, which wouldn't normally see the light of day. In this session, you'll hear from leaders and members of ERGs on how they have made extraordinary progress via support groups and how they continue to be an integral part of the organisation.
Paul spent 18 years at Accenture working across Technology and Consulting and was an early member of the pioneering UK Mental Health Network. In 2019 he moved into HR to focus on Health and Well-being full-time, leading Health and Well-being across the UK. Paul now sits as part of the global Health and Well-being team with responsibility for EMEA. He is passionate about pragmatic and inclusive well-being and aligning well-being outcomes with perceptions of success
Katharine is a successful, global sales professional with nearly twenty years of media industry experience working in TV, digital, print, and social across Los Angeles, New York, and London. She has dedicated the last five years of her career to helping start-ups and direct to consumer companies thrive across an ever-changing, fragmented (and oftentimes quite complicated) media landscape. Whilst at Sky Media, she designed, orchestrated, and implemented the Direct to Scale team in the UK from the ground up to capitalise on incremental business and a loss in market share taken by the tech giants. Her most recent appointment at NBCUniversal, as Commercial Director of Digital Advertising Sales & Partnerships, is focussed on partnering with senior leaders across agencies, clients, and VC/PE community to secure and influence spend across NBCUniversal’s Global Digital products. Prior to this, Katharine has worked within the Client Strategy & Partnerships teams at The Economist Group and Sky Media advising the top FTSE 100 Financial Services & Corporate brands by ensuring their business imperatives are met. She began her formative career in glossy women’s and travel magazines, working for Conde Nast Traveller Magazine and Fairchild Publication’s flagship ‘industry’s voice of authority’ titles including Women’s Wear Daily (WWD), Footwear News, Daily News Record (DNR) and Menswear Magazine. She’s sold thousands of ground-breaking, innovative campaigns for some of the biggest names in fashion including Gucci, Prada, Nine West, DVF, Levi’s, Zegna, Polo Ralph Lauren and many more. She speaks regularly and passionately about performance marketing and how brands (at any price point) can find effective, innovative, and commercially viable solutions to help meet and exceed their ever-evolving marketing and advertising challenges. Katharine is current Chair of NBCUniversal’s Women’s Inclusion Network and a member of WACL. She’s a proud champion and advocate for women’s health issues and is motivated and excited by building forums and opportunities for everyone to learn more ways to improve their own physical and mental health & wellbeing.
Beth joined JPMorgan in 2019, following ten years with the UK Financial Services Regulator where she worked in several Chief of Staff roles across Operations and Technology. She now heads up the Governance and Reporting function for Macro Technology within JP Morgan’s Investment Bank and leads the Firm’s Working Families Network (WFN) for the EMEA Region. WFN supports a network of over 6,000 active members across the region, with an aim to promote knowledge sharing, build a supportive community and provide resources that empower employees to successfully integrate work and family life.

Beth is a vocal ambassador for working parents at JPMorgan, having experienced first hand the benefits that supporting working parents offers to businesses, individuals and their families. In particular, she is huge advocate for levelling the playing field for all parents, as a key enabler to drive gender equity in the workplace.
When she’s not at work Beth enjoys travel, hiking and arguing with small versions of herself to put their shoes on!

14.45 - 15.20

One Size Does NOT fit all: How to Move Away from Generic Initiatives to Construct Policies which Support Diverse and Complex Needs

A supported and happy workforce is a productive one. Businesses that acknowledge the complexity of women’s health journeys and life changes are more likely to generate better outcomes. It involves a holistic and nuanced approach to health, which includes mental health. So how can businesses move beyond the generic policies for all and construct individual pathways? Hear and learn from innovative leaders on how to redesign workplaces for a new generation.
Jo is a communications professional and disability advocate driven by accelerating diversity, equity, and inclusion through communicating the commercial and social value of inclusively designed buildings and spaces. She is particularly passionate about inclusive workplaces, hospitality settings, and homes that enable disabled people to thrive in barrier-free environments that provide choice and support their independence, safety, and wellbeing.
At Motionspot, Jo relishes working with progressive organisations to create uplifting inclusive spaces that support their EDI recruitment and retention ambitions and deliver against their social ESG targets. As well as to communicate their achievements and impact to a broad range of stakeholders.
Jo is a Greater Cambridge Design Review Panel member as well as a Back Up Trust mentor to people who have recently experienced spinal injury. She is also happy to share insights into her own lived experience of being a wheelchair user since 2018.
Lucy Kallin is the executive director EMEA at Catalyst, a global non-profit promoting gender equity and workplace inclusion. Lucy works closely with CEOs, senior leaders and employees at all levels to build workplaces which celebrate the importance and benefit of difference where people can thrive. She helps organisations develop practical initiatives that improve performance and advance existing ESG initiatives. Lucy is also actively involved in education, working as a trustee for a UK independent school as well as volunteering as an advisor for small women-led businesses in Africa.

15.20 - 15.50

Networking Break

Refreshments & Explore our Partner Pods

Network with peers over a buffet style lunch and explore our amazing line up of partners on the Gallery level.

15.50 - 16.20

Creating a Positive Pathway for Parents returning to Work (and how it can be a wider force for good)

In this session we'll hear from a panel of experts, employers, and new mothers / fathers to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by families re-entering the workforce after parental leave. Learn how to make the most of positive disruption and how it can enhance business productivity and job satisfaction.
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Amanda is a Marketing Manager at Accenture, where she is responsible for shaping and implementing talent brand strategies. Her role involves crafting compelling brand narratives that resonate with potential employees, foster meaningful connections, and position Accenture as an employer of choice. Her work reflects her commitment to blending marketing expertise with a genuine understanding of people’s needs and aspirations.

Outside of her professional life, Amanda is dedicated to balancing her career with motherhood, advocating for supportive and inclusive workplace environments.
Sarah is part of the team that runs Bubble, the UK's number one childcare booking app. She has spent the last 9 years building start-ups in the parent-tech space and is passionate about the importance of supporting new parents. Sarah recently helped to launch the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood's report which makes the case for businesses prioritising early childhood. She is also a Trustee at Babyzone. Before all this, Sarah spent the first decade of her career working in advertising agencies in London and Boston - focusing on new business and growth.
Louise Webster is the Founder of Beyondtheschoolrun.com, the platform dedicated to connecting mothers to information, inspiration, and opportunities to empower them to grow personally and professionally. It also serves as a one-stop solution for businesses striving for a more equitable workplace.
Beyondtheschoolrun has received two invitations to No.10 Downing Street and was named one of the "Top 58 British Tech Startups for 2014" by UK Business Insider. Louise won "Britain's Top Real Role Model,” 2014 and has been referred to as "a true change maker" by Global Invest Her, Louise also served as a UN UK delegate in 2014 and her book A New Way for Mothers published in the USA.
Dr Krystal Wilkinson is an Associate Professor in Human Resource Management, based at the Centre for Decent Work and Productivity at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on the work-life interface, women’s health, mental health and wellbeing at work. Current and recent research projects have focused on solo-living staff; those navigating complex fertility journeys (including fertility tests, fertility treatment, pregnancy loss and involuntary childlessness); maternity management; mental health in pregnancy and post-birth; women’s reproductive health including menstruation, menstrual health conditions and menopause; and mental health in women in STEM professions. She has published in leading academic journals, featured in various media outlets and trade press (including the BBC, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times and People Management magazine), and is lead editor of the 2024 book: Work-Life Inclusion: Broadening perspectives across the life-course. Krystal is passionate about knowledge exchange and is working with various stakeholders to raise awareness and create resources, including the CIPD, national charities, campaign groups and employers. Prior to working in academia, Krystal held operational Human Resource Management roles in different industries, including construction, retail and hospitality. She is a Chartered Member of the CIPD and an Ambassador for the Maternal Mental Health Alliance.

16.20 - 16.50

Wrap up closing words & end of day drinks

The one-day, meeting of minds to accelerate change in gender equity