Ian, affectionately known as ITB, discovered his profound commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) through a deeply personal lens: the adoption of his daughter. This pivotal moment fundamentally reshaped his view on workplace inequalities, propelling him into determined action.
His DE&I journey gained significant momentum at Virgin Media O2. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Ian swiftly became the Family Liaison for their Proudly network. In a groundbreaking initiative, he spearheaded the first-ever intersectional Family Week for National Inclusion Week. This landmark event celebrated all family types—from surrogacy to adoption and fertility journeys—earning widespread acclaim for its comprehensive and inclusive approach. Building on this remarkable success, Ian’s leadership was quickly recognised, leading to his promotion as Co-Chair of the Proudly network. In this key role, he skillfully guided the company through its largest Pride celebration to date, impressively boosting both community membership and ally engagement with strategic vision and palpable enthusiasm.
Ian’s impact then extended to giffgaff, where he successfully transitioned into the role of DE&I Lead. In a relatively short period, his drive has resulted in substantial advancements across the organisation:
He established new Employee Resource Group (ERG) networks, broadening giffgaff’s focus to include dedicated well-being groups and diverse communities.
He formed a core group of DE&I individuals to create vital listening circles, providing crucial feedback mechanisms for all giffgaffers.
Demonstrating a proactive approach, he immediately developed a new neuroinclusive policy and integrated dyslexia-friendly fonts, significantly enhancing support for neurodivergent individuals.
Over six months, Ian personally led a comprehensive 3-hour inclusive line manager training course for all line managers, from the C-suite downwards. These foundational sessions are enhanced by ongoing reconnect meetings, fostering continuous sharing of best practices and embedding inclusive leadership.
He crafted a strategic framework specifically aimed at enhancing the psychological safety of colleagues, empowering them to bring their authentic selves to work without reservation.
Furthermore, he amended recruitment policies to embed diversity more effectively, significantly improving giffgaff’s overall hiring practices.
Through positive, data-led steps, Ian’s work has already begun to show tangible progress towards increased gender parity and greater representation of global majority colleagues, particularly focusing on their development into senior leadership positions.
Ian’s career journey stands as a powerful testament to his consistent, impactful commitment to fostering truly inclusive, equitable, and belonging-centric workplaces, driving meaningful change wherever he leads. He undeniably deserves a place on any power list because his passion stems from a genuine desire to create spaces where employees are equal, workplaces are fair, and every idea and conversation begins with equity at its heart. Ian recently took home the prestigious Head of Diversity Award at the Rainbow Honours 2025, and every nomination he receives fuels his pride and deepens his passion for the vital role he was born to do. In today’s dynamic world, Ian is a relentless advocate for moving people from passive “armchair allyship” to active, impactful engagement, consistently leading the charge for a more inclusive future. His impact as Head of Diversity at giffgaff has been nothing short of impressive, leading an organisation that is now truly inclusive. The sheer feat of work accomplished under his guidance and this well-deserved recognition are truly inspiring.
