Does hybrid working really foster inclusion?

Key note speeches, workshops and debates, focusing on embracing the opportunities and challenges that Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace brings, with insights from Leaders from all intersections of society.

Is hybrid working really fostering an inclusive culture, or does it bring further challenges? How is this working for leaders, employers, workers?    

Remote meetings can level the playing field, and can increase flexibility or work-life balance but personal connections can be impacted. Change can both exacerbate and reduce inequality. 

Let’s consider intersectionality… are some employee groups missing outHow are older or younger being impacted and/or those with disabilities? 

What best practice is out there already? What have we learned that can we take forward so we ensure we foster inclusion? What are the top tips for a hybrid working culture? 

Join our panel discussion to explore these questions. 

Chair 

Hossam Zeitoun, Associate Professor and Director Executive MBA Programmes 

Hossam is Associate Professor (Reader) and Course Director of the Executive MBA Programme at Warwick Business School. His research interests are strategy, behavioural science, and theories of the firm, using psychological and economic perspectives. His current research projects aim to improve our understanding of psychological mechanisms underlying joint action in organisations. Before embarking on an academic career, Hossam worked in the insurance industry and had international project experience in Gabon, Tunisia, and India. He earned his PhD at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Then, Hossam joined the University of Warwick, first as a visiting researcher and then as a staff member. Hossam speaks five languages and teaches corporate strategy and corporate governance at Warwick Business School.

Panellists 

Lizzie Penny, WBS Alumni, CEO and Co-founder of Hoxby 

Lizzie is an entrepreneur and a campaigner for 'workstyle' - the freedom to choose when and where you work. She is fascinated by how new working practices can fundamentally redefine inclusion at work, whilst also improving wellbeing and step-changing productivity. She has co-authored a book on Workstyle which will be published by Hachette in October 2022. 

Sue Baines, Director for Card & Payment Transformation in Barclays UK 

Sue Baines is Director for Card & Payment Transformation in Barclays UK. She is also Co-Chair of Spectrum - Barclays LGBT+ Employee Resource Group. She is an active role model internally and externally championing the importance of respecting people from diverse backgrounds, recognizing that an investment in diverse talent benefits individuals, companies and society. As a visibly out lesbian, she actively encourages Lesbian/Bi-Sexual/Transgender Women to be authentic and resilient in their career ambitions, regularly speaking at events and contributing to LGBT+ dialogue on creating more diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. She is a long-serving trustee of ELOP - a charity that provides mental health support to the LGBT+ community in London. She is a British LGBT Awards Inspirational Leader, a top 10 OUTstanding LGBT Leader, and in 2017 was Barclays Woman of the Year recognising her work to promote LGBT+ inclusion. Sue is also mum to 19-year old twins.

Ghadeer Al-Seragi, WBS Alumni, DE&I consultant at EY and People Development Lead at EYF

An HR generalist with over 10 years of experience as a subject matter expert in Diversity Equity & Inclusiveness (DE&I) developed in a global professional services environment. She is bilingual with extensive

Known for building a broad network of deep relationships in international matrixed organizations and NGOs, she uses entrepreneurial business techniques to find solutions Through facilitating difficult conversations and leadership discussions in all pillars of DE&I, Ghadeer builds awareness, learnings to enable leaders to make their workplaces more inclusive.

She was part of the Flexible Working Group in EY across EMEIA since 2014 and continues to deliver hybrid working best practices and solutions post covid. She is also a panel speaker and expert on disability with a specific focus and subject matter expert on neurodiversity awareness and inclusion.

Bhavesh Vaghela 

Bhavesh Vaghela is the VP of Global Product Growth at Callsign. He has over 15 years of experience in strategy, product leadership and digital transformation. He is passionate about creating products that positively impact society with expertise across defence, banking, fintech and cybersecurity. In addition, he is fascinated by the intersection between technology, people and culture. His knowledge, understanding and leadership in product development and building high-performing teams have resulted in delivering innovative sustainable solutions that generate business value and positively impact society.