Advance Inclusion in your workplace
Lead the way to create inclusive workplaces with expert support, tailored resources, and a vibrant member community. Inclusive Employers membership gives you the tools and insights to advance inclusion and make a lasting impact.
1) Can you tell us how you came to be in your role?
I have been always passionate about inclusion, and keen to meet new people and learn about their language, culture, their food, their heritage. I travelled, lived and worked in different countries and tried to absorb their culture and build friendships, and those experiences changed me as a person.
The more you understand other cultures, the more you appreciate the differences and the richness that diversity brings to people and thoughts. Diversity can impact society, business and the world. Diversity should be celebrated. We need each other.
I have worked in inclusion and diversity (I&D) at NHS Scotland for many years before moving to the broader responsible business agenda at Business in the Community. This experience expanded my horizons and highlighted the critical role of diversity in business. After a decade dedicated to responsible business, I felt drawn back to inclusion and diversity, recognising its potential to significantly impact people’s lives. When I saw this role advertised, I knew it was the right time to join Inclusive Employers and be part of this incredible team. I am eager to inspire organisations to do more, to be better, and to unite in the vision of making “inclusion an everyday reality.”
2) Can you share an ‘inclusion moment’ with us – a time when you have felt included either at work or in your personal life?
I have been fortunate to work in many organisations that respected me. Reflecting on my most recent employer, Inclusive Employers, I can say that my opinions and experiences have been genuinely appreciated. There is a keen interest among my colleagues and me to work collectively to improve processes, aiming to best support our members and expand our influence in the inclusion sphere.
Let me share a special experience from my personal life. I used to live in Winchburgh, a village in West Lothian that is rapidly growing. In fact, it has one of the largest housing developments in the UK. As you can imagine, to build houses, trees were cut down, and green areas were replaced by concrete. I was saddened by the loss of trees, so I wrote to the developers, expressing my desire to see green spaces reinstated with a purpose. We had a meeting, and they introduced me to another resident who shared my passion for the cause.
Within two months, we had six planters built in the village, filled with edibles. People could harvest fresh food from our planters for free. Within a year, we had 50 planters throughout the village, filled with fruits, salads, herbs, and vegetables for people to see, smell, and eat.
Three years later, we were offered an acre of land to expand our vision. We now have a polytunnel for growing more food, larger planters, a container, tables, and seats—a place where people can meet, learn new skills, practice horticulture, reconnect with nature, and become part of the community.
We run cooking classes, events, and barbecues. This project has won awards and, six years on, is still growing. It started as a vision from my project partner John and me. We felt heard, engaged in conversations, and included in the vision for a united community. This place is a little haven where people are not judged; all are welcome. It restores dignity to people who harvest what they need, unites the community for friendship, the planet, and upskilling young people for a cause bigger than ourselves. That’s inclusion.
“It’s similar to a gym membership: we provide the tools and a plan, and if the members put in the effort, we see positive results. It needs to work both ways, but it’s worth it.”
Join Inclusive Employers3) What do you love most about your role?
Meeting with my members and supporting them on their inclusion journey is something I truly enjoy. I love witnessing their progress, even within just a few months. It’s similar to a gym membership: we provide the tools and a plan, and if the members put in the effort, we see positive results. It needs to work both ways, but it’s worth it.
4) What is a typical day like for you?
I have several meetings with members and provide tailored advice and support on their journey. I also offer training on diversity and inclusion topics to help them develop new skills. No two days are the same, and I appreciate the variety.
5) What’s been your most memorable moment in your inclusion career?
Many moons ago, at the beginning of my I&D journey, I tried to make a building owned by NHS Scotland more accessible for the visually impaired. I spent money on signs with braille and was proud once they were all in place.
However, a dear colleague approached me and explained that most visually impaired individuals could not read braille. Bright, well-contrasted colours on the floor of the building would have been more helpful. That day, I learned one of my biggest lessons: never do anything for others without involving them. The key to inclusion is in the name itself—include people. I will never forget that day.
Do you have more questions for the Inclusive Employers team?
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Advance Inclusion in your workplace
Lead the way to create inclusive workplaces with expert support, tailored resources, and a vibrant member community. Inclusive Employers membership gives you the tools and insights to advance inclusion and make a lasting impact.