Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace: Successful Futures 2023

Our Successful Futures Conference is back in person for 2023!

This year we will be exploring Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace in recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8.

By prioritising Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, a company can challenge discrimination, remove barriers and improve its overall success. Having an effective diversity strategy is essential to creating a positive work environment, and in a post-covid world, it’s more important than ever.

We will hear from a range of speakers from many different industries about their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion projects. Confirmed speakers so far include Enterprise, Linklaters’ Technology Team, The Land Collective CIC, Teach First and Essex Startups. With more to be confirmed.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car are sponsoring this years Successful Futures event. 

Limited places are available so book now to avoid disappointment.

Timetable

Meet this years speakers

Linklaters - Su Clarke and Silvi Laymen-Devins

Linklaters is a global, magic circle, law firm focused on delivering excellent client service, using our global capabilities. We put our clients at the heart of all that we do serving them as a team, with a common focus on innovation, efficiency and agility.  We have over 5000 staff with over 2500 lawyers and 530 partners in 30 offices based in 20 countries.

Su Clarke is responsible for the Software Development and Testing teams within Linklaters internal Tech function. She manages a team of dedicated IT professionals based in 3 countries focused on developing & testing quality solutions to be used by the Practice.  She is Chair of the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Tech (EDIT) group.  A group of champions who are committed to creating a fair & equitable environment within the Tech function.

Silvi Laymen-Devins manages the Technology Infrastructure team which is responsible for the critical underpinning services like network, servers, storage, data centres, telephony and video conferencing, and Azure cloud. Her team is located across the UK, Asia, and the US. She is involved in EDIT and the environmental sustainability groups at Linklaters.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car - Alex Bates, Branch Manager

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is one of the UKs largest car hire services, with over 400 branches in the UK and more spread across Europe.

Alex Bates was successful in joining the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Graduate Management Training Programme starting out in Dereham, Norfolk having graduated with a BA in Physical Education from the University of East Anglia. Alex was attracted to Enterprise with the assurance of a fast-paced work environment with a career roadmap laid out for you Alex was promoted to assistant manager after 14 months and following another assistant manager promotion, three and a half years into his career became a Branch Manager. After 18 months of creating record breaking numbers and being successful in managing a business alongside showing a high level of ability at developing and creating a productive work environment in the Great Yarmouth office, Alex has been given the responsibility of opening a brand new city centre location in Norwich.

Teach First

Teach First is a charity that develops and supports teachers and leaders who are determined to make a difference where it's needed the most.

“England’s teaching workforce has a serious diversity problem. Without representation and role models, young people are less likely to engage with school, and progress into further education or work. That means a less diverse workforce and further underrepresentation in positions of power in society. It’s a cycle we’re determined to break. Come along to this session to find out how Teach First is tackling underrepresentation. Learn more about our partnership with Sir Lewis Hamilton's foundation, Mission 44. Discover the graduate opportunities in store for you to unlock potential and be part of something that matters.”

The Land Collective - Sarah Hayford, Founder and CEO

The Land Collective is an award-winning organisation that encourages engagement in the property and built environment sector through showcasing career opportunities, providing educational resources, delivering employability programmes and placing young talent from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds into early career opportunities such as placements and graduate schemes.

Sarah Hayford is the Founder & CEO of a youth-focused social enterprise, Sarah's career in commercial property began after graduating from the University of Nottingham in 2018. She worked as a retail surveyor for the food and beverage brand, Wasabi before setting off on her own to focus on her social enterprise. Alongside her work with The Land Collective, Sarah also works with Roots Inspire; a leadership development platform that actively helps corporate organisations to build their internal pipelines of proud ethnic leaders.