The Diversity Dialogues - Event - Newsquest Scotland Events

Diversity Dialogue 1

Edinburgh

The Herald & GenAnalytics Diversity Dialogue in association with Crown Estate Scotland

Join us for the first in the series taking place in our capital city of Edinburgh and in association with Crown Estate Scotland.

The importance of Diversity and inclusion is now firmly embedded into mainstream business practice. However, to ensure progress continues to be made and that an ability exists for organisations to track measures and recognise success, it is now important to look beyond day-day diversity and inclusion initiatives. Crown Estate Scotland is showing leadership in this space by exploring how it can truly embed diversity and inclusion in its new corporate strategy. This diversity dialogue will open high level discussions on how organisations can really transform the way they serve their customers and communities. We’ll hear from Crown Estate Scotland who manage land and property across Scotland, along with those leading the way as we discuss accountability within an organisation’s board and leadership team for diversity and inclusion, the realistic goals that organisations can set, and visibility of this to customers and wider society. Further speakers to be announced.

Who is the event for?
This event is open to all who wish to cultivate the culture of inclusion from the very heart of their business, as well as those who identify with marginalised protected characteristics to share their lived experiences and what they want to see more of from companies and organisations throughout Scotland.

What will you take away?
• Working practices to move forward and embed diversity in the strategic thinking of your business.
• Pooled knowledge and experience from a diverse array of participants.
• Networking with like-minded peers and increasing your DE&I network

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, March 26

Tickets

Tickets are priced at £45+VAT.

Inclusions –

Access to the event
Arrival tea, coffee & pastries
Refreshment break
Official Event Programme
Networking opportunities with key industry decision makers and likeminded businesses

Join us for the full series for a bespoke rate of £145 per person – contact sharon.franchetti@newsquest.co.uk for more information.

BUY TICKETS

PROGRAMME

9:30am	Arrival & Networking
10.00am	Welcome Crown Estate Scotland – Welcome GenAnalytics – Event briefing and Welcome
10.10am	Keynote Speaker: Opening Address
10.35am	Round table workshop
11.20am	Coffee Break
11.35am	Panel – Fireside Chat
12.00pm	Round table workshop
1.00pm	Event Close and Networking

EVENT DATE

Thursday, March 28

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Tuesday, March 26

EVENT LOCATION

Dovecot Studios,

10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LT

Keynote Speaker

Louisa Macdonell

Scotland Director, Business in the Community

Louisa Macdonell is the Scotland Director for Business in the Community (BITC) focusing on helping business champion social mobility, environmental responsibility and community regeneration across Scotland. She is a Just Transition Commissioner for Scotland and Entrepreneur-in Residence at the University of Edinburgh Business School.

Louisa is a trustee on the board of Social Investment Scotland, the responsible finance provider, and sits on the advisory board of Interface, which connects academics to business to stimulate innovation.

Speakers

Douglas Morrison

Deputy CEO at Built Environment – Smarter Transformation

Douglas Morrison serves as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST), Scotland’s national innovation centre for the built environment. His career has predominantly been in the tertiary education sector, where he has specialised in digital learning, innovation, environmental issues, and is a passionate advocate for equity and inclusion.

In addition to his role with BE-ST, Douglas is the Vice Chair of the Board at South Lanarkshire College, a Member of the Young Academy for Scotland, and a Fellow of the Institute for Innovation and Knowledge Exchange.

dmorrison@be-st.build

Steve Dunlop

Chairman, Crosswind Developments

Steve is chairman of Crosswind Developments, the company behind Elements Edinburgh, a sustainable, inclusive new community being created in the West of Edinburgh.

He also holds the position of Chief Executive of FOR:EV, a provider and operator of EV charging points across the UK.

Previously he has held the positions of Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Canals.

His other roles have included Director Scotland and Regeneration at British Waterways, Director of Regeneration for Newcastle City Council and Director of Community Services for Falkirk Council.

Samuel Agbede

Software Engineer at JPMorgan Chase & Co, Podcaster and Award Winning DE&I Champion

Samuel Agbede is a Software Engineer at JPMorgan in Glasgow where he also serves on the leadership team for BOLD, an employee resource group. He co-founded the African Talent Initiative to improve access for underrepresented groups and launched the “Stories That Shape Us” podcast to foster growth and empathy through storytelling. He speaks on various platforms providing valuable information to and mentoring individuals from diverse backgrounds on available technology opportunities. His efforts have earned recognition, including Diversity Champion of the Year awards in 2022 and 2023. He resides in Glasgow with his wife, Blessing, and enjoys long walks and reading.

Diversity Dialogue 2

Glasgow

The Herald & GenAnalytics Diversity Dialogue – Event 2

FOSTERING DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Join Us for an Empowering Event Building Diversity Networks & Inclusion Strategies

Are you ready to take meaningful steps towards a more inclusive workplace? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and grow together! In the next series of our Diversity Dialogues we will focus on practical strategies and actionable steps to foster diversity and inclusion within your organisation.

Expert-led Workshops: Gain insights from industry leaders on building diverse networks and fostering inclusion.
Interactive Panel Discussions: Hear from diverse voices sharing their experiences and best practices.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals and expand your support network.
Resource Sharing: Access valuable resources and tools to implement D&I initiatives effectively.

Building on our first successful Diversity Dialogue in Edinburgh in March, don’t miss this chance to be a part of the change! Join us and empower yourself with the knowledge and tools needed to create a more inclusive workplace environment.

Tickets

Tickets are priced at £20+VAT.

Inclusions –

Access to the event
Arrival tea, coffee & pastries
Refreshment break
Official Event Programme
Networking opportunities with key industry decision makers and likeminded businesses

For any queries or to purchase your places via invoice contact sharon.franchetti@newsquest.co.uk.

BUY TICKETS

PROGRAMME

Coming Soon.

EVENT DATE

Wednesday, May 22
2-5pm

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Monday, May 21

EVENT LOCATION

The Social Hub, 15 Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1TQ

Panellists

Vivienne MacLaren

Chair, Scottish Women’s Football

VP Global Marketing, SaaS

Vivienne is passionate about sport, in particular women’s and girls’ football and has a keen focus on expanding the opportunities available to women and girls to take part in or return to sport. She is an award-winning marketing and digital specialist with 28 years’ experience spent in Scotland and London both client and agency side.

In 2016, Vivienne was appointed Chairperson of Scottish Women’s Football, the independent body that manages the domestic game in Scotland, after joining the main Board in 2014 as media and communications director. Vivienne led the transformation of the domestic game as a brand, a commercial entity and as an environment in which girls and women can thrive in Scotland.

She is a strategy-driven professional who is regarded as one of the leading marketers in the UK. Vivienne is currently VP of Global Marketing at high growth, global technology company, Ideagen.

Euan McNair

Director of Talent Acquisition, Employer Brand, and Inclusion, Aegon

Euan McNair is currently the Director of Talent Acquisition, Employer Brand, and Inclusion at Aegon UK. Euan has operated across a range of sector from social care to large scale events and from oil & gas to financial services. Euan has led transformational programmes that aim to remove barriers and attract wider demographics of talent to organisations coupled with ensuring there is connectivity through their experience to ensure people feel like they belong, thrive, and inspire.

Thuy Vo

Director, Financial Services, Deloitte

Thuy is a Director and leads the audit of alternative investment funds within Deloitte in Scotland. She started her career in an audit practice in London before moving to the Asset Management and Fund Administration industry, then returning to practice with Deloitte in Glasgow. Thuy is passionate about her industry and her clients, and is primarily focused in the private equity, real estate and infrastructure sectors.

Thuy has been an advocate of diversity, inclusion and social mobility throughout her career and is the Diversity & Inclusion lead for the Scottish offices. Thuy leads the Firm’s wider Diversity and Inclusion agenda locally. Her experience with multi-disciplinary and international teams, and her diverse backgrounds, contribute to her enthusiasm and drive in supporting the Firm’s Values and Inclusion priorities.

David Hanlan

Senior People Consultant – Diversity and Inclusion, Scottish Water

David is an experienced HR professional who has a wealth of knowledge in the fields of Diversity and Inclusion and Employment Law. He works for Scottish Water where for the last 10 years he has been co-responsible for the development of D&I strategy and its implementation.

David is a past Chair of the Scottish Government Non-Departmental Public Bodies Equality Forum and was a member of the Scottish Government National Equality Improvement Plan Board. He is currently a member of the Public Sector Leadership Board for Embedding Human Rights and Equality and is also a past Shadow Non-Executive Director of NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Diversity Dialogue 3

Glasgow

The Herald & GenAnalytics Diversity Dialogue in association with Arnold Clark

UNLOCKING THE POWER OF DATA IN DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The next event in our Diversity Dialogue Series will focus on the importance of data. Join us for an insightful and collaborative event where we delve into the crucial role that data plays in fostering diversity and inclusion across all spectrums.

Discover the Data-Driven Difference:
Gain insights into how data empowers organisations to create inclusive cultures.
Explore case studies showcasing the impact of data-driven diversity initiatives.
Learn best practices for leveraging data to drive meaningful change and foster inclusivity.

Connect with Leading Experts: Engage in thought-provoking discussions with industry experts, and leading organisations who are revolutionising diversity and inclusion through data-driven strategies.

Elevate Your Understanding: Expand your knowledge and understanding of the intersection between data, diversity, and inclusion through interactive workshops, panels, and keynote presentations.

Network and Collaborate: Forge valuable connections with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and collaborate on innovative solutions to promote diversity and inclusion in your own organisation.

Tickets

Tickets are priced at £45+VAT.

Inclusions –

Access to the event
Arrival tea, coffee & pastries
Lunch
Official Event Programme
Networking opportunities with key industry decision makers and likeminded businesses

For any queries or to purchase your places via invoice contact sharon.franchetti@newsquest.co.uk.

BUY TICKETS

Venue

GTG Training Centre, 1330 South Street, Glasgow G14 0BJ

By train: Low level line from Glasgow Central to Scotstounhill Station.

By bus: FirstGlasgow Number 1 A/B/C/D from Glasgow City Centre. Depart at Dumbarton Road at Balmoral Street.

By car: Ample parking is provided at front and rear of the training centre. Follow the postcode for directions.

By foot/bicycle: Approx 4.2miles from Glasgow City Centre via riverside or via Partick.

PROGRAMME

10am	Arrival & Networking
10:30am	Welcome Jane Gotts – GenAnalytics Arnold Clark
10:45am	The Arnold Clark Data Journey
11:15am	Coffee Break
11:30am	The Importance of Time and Trust in Data
12:05pm	Panel Discussion Part 1
12:35pm	Lunch
1:30pm	Panel Discussion Part 2 and Q&A
2:30pm	Networking & Coffee
3:30pm	*Event End*

EVENT DATE

Thursday, September 5

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Tuesday, September 3

EVENT LOCATION

GTG Training Centre, South Street, Glasgow

Speakers

Lynne McBurney

Group People Director, Arnold Clark

Lynne McBurney, Group People Director at Arnold Clark, leads with a passion for employee wellbeing and inclusivity. Joining in 2005, she’s driven transformative change, becoming a dedicated advocate for flexible work, growth programs, gender balance and LGBTQ+ support. Acknowledged for her commitment, Lynne earned accolades including Diversity Rising Star and Top 10 Corporate Ally awards. With an empathetic, humorous approach, she mentors colleagues and fosters a sense of belonging. Lynne’s leadership extends beyond Arnold Clark through speaking engagements and her work with various external organisations to breakdown preconceptions of the motor trade.

Mhairi Taylor

Deputy Director (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), University of Dundee

Mhairi has worked in inclusion for her whole career; after graduating from the University of Liverpool, she supported marginalised young people from deprived parts of Liverpool to consider further and higher education as a viable option for them.

Mhairi entered higher education as an employee in 2005, starting on a European Union funded project which looked at the academic glass ceiling in the University of Glasgow. She went on to be a founder member of the University’s Equality and Diversity Unit, and over the years became the manager and the head of the service. She has extensive experience of mainstreaming EDI in learning and teaching, research and through a range of policies and processes. She has supported numerous charters and applications across the years, including over 20 Athena Swan applications, multiple applications to Stonewall WEI, three REF exercises and conducted internal research on racism, writing and developing an action plan for the University of Glasgow which supported the rollout of work relating to becoming an anti-racist organisation.

In 2024, Mhairi moved to the University of Dundee as the Deputy Director of EDI, leading the strategy and enhancing the provision for students and staff in the University.

Panellists

Irene Mosota

Chief Executive Officer, Knowledge-Bridge UK and Deputy Chair, Social Enterprise Scotland.

Irene has over 15 years of experience in diversity, inclusion, and equality strategies. She holds an MSc in International Business Management with Distinction and is both a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and the Royal Society of Arts. Irene received the university medal for her research in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Her expertise includes cross-cultural and organisational culture, change management, and research in learning and development. She is skilled in implementing and mainstreaming EDI initiatives, ensuring fairness and equality across all levels of organisations. Irene supports organisations in leadership, coaching, relationship building, and conflict management and resolution.

Lesley Quinn

Divisional Director, Corporate Affairs, City Building (Glasgow) LLP

Lesley is the Divisional Director, Corporate Affairs City Building (Glasgow) LLP, one of the largest construction companies in Scotland with a turnover of £180 million, employing 1800 people, including 250 Craft Apprentices.

Lesley has specific responsibility for Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBI), a supported manufacturing business, Customer and Business Improvement, Communications and Training. Lesley was instrumental in the organisation’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2021: Promoting Opportunity. Lesley has led on EDI for 10 years. She is currently a member of the Construction Accord Fair Work Working Group.

Gavin Speirs

CEO, Solutions Driven

Gavin Speirs is the CEO of Solutions Driven, an International Hiring Partner that specialises in overcoming global hiring challenges with precision. Under Gavin’s leadership, Solutions Driven has successfully completed hiring projects across more than 60 countries, delivering the right talent the first time.

Gavin is deeply committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in the workforce. Over the past 11 months, 41% of Solutions Driven’s hires have been diverse, tailored to meet client needs. As “More Than A Hiring Partner,” the company leverages data and insights from each process to help clients enhance their recruitment strategies, fostering a truly inclusive culture.

Atta Yaqub

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, sportscotland

Atta has worked in equalities and community engagement for over 15 years in organisations including Show Racism the Red Card, The Princes Trust and The Scottish FA. His current role at sportscotland is supporting the Sport for Life strategy, making sure inclusion underpins everything the organisation delivers. This is particularly focussed on people, systems and new ideas.

Atta has a wealth of experience from grassroots, in delivering education programmes to communities and schools, to policy where he has been responsible for Service Level Agreements. He has worked collaboratively over the years, internally and externally, on various initiatives ranging from engagement with care experienced young people to developing EDI strategies.

His passion and interest in development of opportunities for diverse communities has given him roles on boards and committees, including GMAC Film, Hymans Robertson Foundation and National Theatre Scotland.

FAQ

Who & Why Should You Attend?

Who….
The Diversity Dialogues series is a must attend event for individuals in organisations responsible for equality, diversity and inclusion strategy and implementation, as well as those that are passionate about D&I, including:

Why…
The series will provide an opportunity to:

• Network with individuals with shared commitment
• Learn new tips and tactics for implementing diversity in the workplace
• Hear from both industry professionals and people with lived experience
• Provide a safe space to have open conversations
• Enhance your knowledge on D&I

What do I do if I have more questions?
We are happy to answer any additional questions you may have regarding the events series, how to attend, and accessibility arrangements. Please contact Events Manager, Sharon Franchetti on 0141 302 6039 or sharon.franchetti@newsquest.co.uk with all enquires.