Skyscanner’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team is a lean, two-person function led by Joanne Vazquez-Kirby, Head of DEI, and supported by a Culture & Belonging Manager. Together, the team has transformed inclusion from a series of individual initiatives into a globally connected operating model that influences leadership, culture, governance and organisational decision-making.
Since 2022, Joanne has led the evolution of Skyscanner’s global DEI strategy. This work has taken place during a challenging period for the wider DEI profession, with organisations facing economic pressure, changing political expectations and growing scrutiny of inclusion programmes. Against this backdrop, the team has maintained organisational commitment, strengthened accountability and secured a 212.5% increase in investment in the DEI function over three years. This has allowed the strategy to expand globally while remaining focused on measurable and sustainable impact.
A central achievement has been the development of the RISE Framework: Represent, Inspire, Support and Empower. The framework connects Skyscanner’s four global employee networks covering Gender, Race and Ethnicity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and Disability and Neurodiversity. It is supported by Executive Sponsors, Senior Sponsors, Network Chairs and Co-Chairs, and more than 45 DEI Champions across regions and functions.
This distributed model extends the reach of the core team and gives employees at every level the opportunity to influence organisational culture. It has also shifted inclusion away from being viewed as the sole responsibility of the DEI function and towards a model of shared ownership across the business.
The team has strengthened Skyscanner’s use of demographic data through the global Count Me In campaign, embedded Inclusive Leadership into existing manager development pathways, and introduced practical changes shaped by employee feedback. These include Adjustments Passports, Quiet Rooms, reproductive and gender health support, menopause guidance, anti-racism education, flexible working practices and financial wellbeing programmes.
The team’s work has contributed to record employee engagement of 83%, nine percentage points above the relevant industry benchmark. It has also supported external recognition including Silver accreditation in Stonewall’s Global Workplace Equality Index, Inclusive Company at the British LGBT Awards, Large Employer at the Proud Scotland Awards, and inclusion in The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality for two consecutive years.
What distinguishes the team’s work is not only the number of initiatives delivered, but the systems created to sustain them. Through governance, leadership development, employee participation, evidence and accountability, inclusion has become increasingly embedded in how Skyscanner leads people, develops talent and makes decisions.