I have always believed that everyone in society should have the opportunity to maximise their potential, and to be treated fairly. As much as I believe in equality, I also feel we should celebrate diversity and learn to accept and understand each other, and embrace the positives that brings to society.  I am a member of the North Finance Equality and Diversity Group, and as part of that work am leading on recruitment. I was also a parent governor for a number of years at the special needs school my son attends, and used my role to ensure the school provided the best quality education and facilities to meet the children’s needs. The pandemic has highlighted health inequalities in society and promoted the equality and diversity agenda. I’m really excited about the fact the organisation has created networks for a number of protected characteristics, as it provides a real opportunity for those staff to have a voice and to engage in a conversation with the organisation as to how we might better meet their needs and to enable them to flourish. As I am passionate about the agenda I have been keen to play an active role, and therefore when the opportunity arose to become the Executive sponsor for firstly the Ability First network and then the BAME network as well, I felt extremely honoured to be asked to do it, and excited about the change we could bring about in the here and now, and also for the future.   

On a personal level I have a son who is autistic and 5 years ago had a stroke, the result on which meant he is paraplegic and a wheelchair user. My other son is dyslexic. This has given me personal insight into the challenges people who experience disability face, in terms of both the environment and from some members of society. On the flip side I have always been grateful to those people who have shown my family kindness and opened doors for us, and focused on enabling him to live a quality life with positive experiences. I would like to use my role as executive sponsor to support the network to take forward the equality and diversity agenda, and ensure North West Boroughs does all it can to support and nurture its staff, and be a place where regardless of who you are, the organisation welcomes you and embraces the unique perspective you bring.