5 minutes with… Sam Philips

1) Can you tell us how you came to be in your role?

To be honest, my journey into this role was not a direct or obvious one – but upon reflection, it does seem like a very fitting arena for me to land in, and it now feels exactly where I should be.

At the age of 21, I joined Hampshire Constabulary as a Police officer. I did so knowing that I had an overwhelming drive to; help those in need, to stand up for injustices and to protect the vulnerable, and for 18.5 years that is exactly what I did. I saw the good, the bad and often the exceptionally ugly aspects of society, and it highlighted to me just how damn lucky I had been throughout it all.

I grew up in a household so full of unconditional love and support that coming out at the age of 19 was a beautiful (albeit scary) time in my life, not the period of horror and hurt experienced by so many. I was made to feel so safe and proud of who I was, yet at every corner I turned I met someone who had not experienced that same privilege.

So even though I had not yet realised I&D was an explicit focus of mine, I inadvertently built it into my career in the police and I strived to support those who were not afforded the same levels of Inclusion or psychological safety everywhere I could. I joined various support networks and worked hard to get all voices heard. People came to me for support and a safe set of ears, and I felt great pride in that.

In the latter stages of my career, I became a qualified L&D trainer for the constabulary and fell in love with training. I slowly became aware of the wonderful work done by Inclusive Employers, and this coincided with some pretty life changing events in my own personal life which altered my own direction and drive. I realised I wanted, and more importantly, needed a new chapter in my life. Gladly that became my move to Inclusive Employers.

2) Can you share an ‘Inclusive moment’ with us – a time when you felt included either at work or in your personal life?

Yes, there is an absolute stand out moment for me that will forever make me smile!

Picture the scene; I have literally just started my new role in the L&D department for the police. Although an established and experienced officer, I am a brand-new trainer and don’t know any of my new colleagues or Sergeant. They know nothing about me.

Meanwhile, in my ‘home life’ my wife Kelly and I are embarking on what turned out to be a very difficult and arduous IVF journey spanning several years, and multiple heartbreaks.

It is my very first 1-2-1 with my new sergeant….. this is a lot to offload onto someone I have never met right?!

Wrong. That conversation saw the birth of ‘OPERATION EGG’ (All significant events in policing are given Operation names) and this was deemed to be so significant to my sergeant, that it was lovingly given its own name. With my permission, ‘Operation Egg’ was shared with all my colleagues, the management and resourcing team (who also adopted the name!) and any potential barriers I might have faced in order to attend appointments, support my wife, or frankly cry in a heap were removed time and time again by that Sergeant.

The result of Operation Egg you ask? Two beautiful little boys, and a lifelong friendship with the exact leader I needed in my life at that time. A true role model for Inclusive leadership, and a vital support in the success of the ‘Operation’.