Sean Childerley - Inclusive Employers

Making a real and impactful difference is central to Sean’s career. He has worked in diverse and demanding roles over two decades, spanning the changing landscape of media and the evolution of Inclusion and Diversity.

Sean’s early career allowed him to grow a broad business and commercial skill set, as well as developing a strong leadership style that he continues to evolve today.

He has successfully combined these varied experiences to earn a reputation for having an engaging leadership style that takes people on the journey with him and inspires people to achieve results.

Quality and detail are second nature to Sean. He has a natural affinity for nurturing people and organisations, and strives to raise standards for everyone through his work, including customers.

He is a committed lifelong learner and alongside his professional career has studied to develop his knowledge and skills in people development, leadership and inclusion.

Sean has worked in L&D for over 15 years and places great value on being curious. He believes that communication and collaboration between organisations and people is what will get the job done, and ultimately bring out the best in individuals and teams.

What do you enjoy about your role at Inclusive Employers?

The interactions I’m part of have a real-life impact and sometimes it’s easy to forget that this is the case. I often get feedback from a member or delegate about how the session has helped shape positive changes for them.

My work with Inclusive Employers has a much wider impact than I could have imagined. I feel genuinely humbled and honoured to be a part of our member’s I&D experience.

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

I’ve spent years working with people in a developmental capacity. I really want people to be able to reach their potential and to fill the space they believe they can occupy.

Supporting people with inclusion at the centre adds a whole new element to self-actualisation.

Finding a space within a work context where you can be your own true self and live you own true values is so aspirational, but it’s also so achievable. I really enjoy being able to work with people so that they can find this space too.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

My grandad always taught me to be inquisitive, to ask questions and to learn from other people. I’m not sure it was ever one piece of advice but more a way of living and a way of being.

To me, and my family he was a truly remarkable person and someone who we all looked up to in a really significant way. He was a ‘real’ human being, full of life, intelligent, absolutely charming but also not without vulnerability. In a strange way, almost every moment I remember having with him was the best advice I ever had.

Tell us something about you that we might not know

My favourite novel is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. I read it at school, and I still read it regularly.

When I first read it, I just really fell in love with the story or more importantly the main character. It hurt me so much that Jane felt so isolated, outcast, bullied and alone but at the same time she was so tough and resilient, full of character, passionate and ultimately accomplished in a way that she felt significant.

She didn’t allow herself to be judged by others and that takes real strength of character; and oh, what a character!

Sean Childerley

Head of Commercial