I have spent the last three decades working in the diversity and inclusion space – although 30 years ago we didn’t talk about it in these terms, we talked about equality instead.

The ancient history element – in 1989 I was approached by Michael Cashman (now Lord Cashman) as they were putting together the Stonewall Group (of 20) to take forward their idea of a professional lobby voice. I was one of the co-founders and first treasurer of the fledgling organisation and sat on the Board for several years. I then went on to sit on the Board of a variety of organisations including Children with Aids Charity, was co-founder and Chair of the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation (anti-bullying) and Chair of Ditch the Label (anti-bullying).

And a little more recent history. In 2020 I was invited to join the board of the Diversity Project Charity, and a year later became Chair. It is a charity which funds projects and research programmes which have a direct impact on inclusion in financial institutions.

In addition to the above, I am employed as an Executive Director of the Church of England Pensions Board, where I take a keen interest in diversity and inclusion matters, especially at the level of the governing bodies.