Carol Buchanan - Inclusive Employers

Carol is an Inclusion and Diversity expert with over 20 years of experience in HR Specialist roles. Before joining Inclusive Employers, Carol led EDI in a large FTSE 100 organisation. Carol specialises in behavioural change, designing and delivering programmes to create the conditions for real change. Highly skilled in consulting and comfortable with ambiguity, Carol has led cultural diagnostic work in every sector, supporting employers in developing impactful EDI strategies.

Carol holds post graduate qualifications in both HR and Leadership. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personal & Development (CIPD) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Furthermore, she is an AMPG accredited Programme Manager and Change Specialist. Carol has also received two awards for academic excellence.

Carol leads the Professional Development team at Inclusive Employers, which designs and delivers programmes to enhance the practice of people practitioners, managers, and leaders.

What do you enjoy about your role at Inclusive Employers?

Being an I&D professional can be tough – many are the only one in the organisation doing the work. It can be a lonely and frustrating place. Experiencing lots of I&D and people professionals coming together and creating community and shared learning through our courses, seeing the difference it makes to people to have that community and a space for learning together is amazing. There’s a lot to like about what I do, but right now that is my favourite bit.  

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

I’ve won two academic awards in my career, which felt pretty good. But really, I’m much more interested in celebrating little wins. Seeing someone in my team achieve a promotion, getting great feedback on a new course we’ve designed to support inclusioneers become more impactful. A learner telling me their experiences with us has made a big difference to their confidence. The everyday impact is much more important to me that any one thing.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is true inclusion. It takes effort and commitment. Be patient and apply yourself, the rewards will come.

Tell us something about you that we might not know.

I’m a big kayaking enthusiast, although I’m new to it I try to get out on the water every week.

Carol Buchanan

Head of Qualifications