EDI in Leadership Conference

Kudsia leads the TUCs equality, international and strategic governance department. Her responsibilities include equalities policy, the TUC’s anti-racism task force and TUC strategic governance. This means putting trade unions at the heart of the broader struggle for racial justice, tackling the far right and work to tackle the scourge of sexual harassment in our workplaces – and to lead the reform needed in the trade union movement.

Her work also addresses the systemic inequalities facing disabled people, so cruelly exposed by the pandemic. And finally she is also at the forefront of the fight for LGBT+ equality, especially at a time when our trans siblings are being targeted by the right’s ruthless culture wars.

Kudsia has a wealth of experience in leadership and negotiation, with a great record of winning for working people. Her mission, and that of the TUC, remains making sure all people can work with dignity, respect and a fair share of the wealth they create. But in today’s fast-changing digital world, our methods must keep up. Kudsia leads the development of TUC strategic governance so that the trade union is a modern movement, fit for the challenges and the opportunities of the 21^st Century.

Before joining the TUC, Kudsia had a variety of jobs as false nail packer, call centre operative, council official and headteacher.

She first became a union member when she qualified as a teacher at 21, and has been a union rep and activist in the NUT (now NEU) and the GMB.

In 2016, Kudsia was appointed as a national negotiating official at the NASUWT, where she led bargaining and negotiations in areas including working conditions, health and safety and pay.

She introduced leadership training and development programmes for trade unionists, focussing particularly on women, black members, young members, LGBT+ members and disabled members. And she lobbied government, Ofsted and national employers to improve pay and conditions for teachers and school staff. And in 2021 she was awarded woman of the year for her work on equalities.

Outside of her activism, she can be found at the cinema or at the beach or parenting her 9year old son.

Vivienne is the CEO of the FTSE Women Leaders Review, the UK’s business-led voluntary framework, supported by Government to improve the representation of women on the Boards and Leadership teams of the FTSE 350 and 50 of the UK’s largest private companies.

Vivienne is also a NED and holds a number of expert advisory roles supporting businesses in their data, privacy and digital strategies, with a focus on AI and new technologies, anti-financial crime and equality & diversity.  Vivienne has over twenty five years experience in global financial and professional services sectors, including at the London Stock Exchange Group, Refinitiv, Thomson Reuters and Citibank. Vivienne is the AI and Data Lead at the International Business & Diplomatic Exchange, was chapter co-lead of the City of London “Vision for Economic Growth” report, and has advised UK government on international data transfer strategies.

Vivienne is an exceptional advocate for gender balance in business, is a Patron of Women in Finance Rwanda, and is the former CEO of Women in Banking and Finance. She was awarded an OBE for services to Financial Services and Gender Diversity in 2021.

Jaspal is the Director of People at St Bartholomew’s Hospital and an active member of the Hospital Executive Board, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping organisational culture and championing people-first strategies.

Her career spans over three decades across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. After thirteen years at BT, Jaspal transitioned into the HR profession, spending twenty impactful years in the Civil Service. There, she held senior leadership roles in the Home Office, National Crime Agency, and the former Department of Energy & Climate Change. In her final Civil Service post, she was the HR Divisional Director for Skills, Capability and Talent at the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Her portfolio empowered colleagues through innovative learning and development programmes, inclusive talent strategies, and by embedding diversity and inclusion at the heart of organisational decision-making.

Following her Civil Service career, Jaspal created her Human Resources Consultancy and Executive Coaching practice a company dedicated to driving heart centred and service orientated solutions to clients, which she runs separately from her NHS role (Sawbir HR&OD). She brings a wealth of cross-sector expertise to her clients—combining strategic insight with deep emotional intelligence to help individuals and organisations unlock their full potential.

Jaspal is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, with specialist qualifications in Organisational Design and Development, and Executive Coaching. Her governance roles reflect her deep commitment to public service and equity — she is aTrustee for the Charity for Civil Servants, an Independent Member of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and a volunteer with StreetKind UK, supporting people experiencing homelessness in London. As a member of the International Women’s Forum UK she champions equality and racial equity and believes that leadership transcends gender and race. Jaspal’s journey is a testament to her belief in the power of leadership, resilience, and community-driven impact.

A courageous advocate for change, Jaspal is known for her ability to facilitate difficult conversations with empathy, structure, and grace. Her warm and approachable style creates environments of trust and openness, enabling individuals and teams to thrive. She works with clients and organisations to build leadership capability, navigate change, and embed cultural transformation. Her coaching style is reflective and forward focused, helping people organise their thoughts, define goals, and take ownership of their development. Jaspal is not just an advocate for change—she’s a trusted catalyst for transformation.

As a coach, she combines warmth, structure, and challenge in equal measure. She creates safe, energising spaces where people can think clearly, speak honestly, and act courageously. She helps leaders and teams clarify their purpose, sharpen their focus, and build sustainable strategies for change. Her clients value her ability to ask the right questions, offer grounded insight, and build accountability that lasts beyond the coaching room.

Jaspal brings both lived experience and systems-level expertise. She works in partnership with organisations to shift culture, not just tick boxes. Her approach is honest, strategic, and deeply practical focused on embedding inclusion into the core of business practices, leadership behaviours, and everyday decision-making. Whether you need a bold conversation starter, a thought partner, or a trusted guide through complex challenges, Jaspal will meet you where you are—and help take you further.

Since 2020, Sandi has served as the CEO of enei, making her the only blind female CEO in the UK. A passionate human rights advocate, Sandi is known for her visionary leadership and her role as a change agent, with extensive experience across both commercial and charity sectors. After registering as blind in 2008 and being diagnosed with ADHD in 2009, she began her advocacy work focusing on equality and inclusion, engaging with Government, Industry, and the Third Sector. In 2011, she authored the “Ten Principles of Inclusive Web Design,” building on her work in co-writing the Government’s e-Accessibility Action Plan—principles that remain influential today.

Sandi’s career has largely been in the media sector, where she held significant positions such as COO of the SyFy UK TV Channel and MD of digital agency Copious. In 2014, she transitioned to the charity sector, joining Jewish Care to enhance its digital services portfolio and later becoming Head of Transformation and Service Design.

From 2014 to 2019, Sandi was a Trustee of the RNIB, where she chaired the marketing, fundraising, and social change steering group. In 2020, she became a Non-Executive Director on the board of Mental Health First Aid England.

In 2021, Sandi joined the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, the City Livery Company dedicated to eye health. In June 2022, she received her Freedom of the City and became a Liveryman of the Company.

Gemma is an experienced marketing and communications specialist with a career spanning 15 years across the public and private sectors. She is a qualified marketer with a postgraduate diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Small Business Leadership Mini MBA from Kingston University.

Before joining enei, Gemma was the Head of Marketing and Membership for the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), where she led on the organisational marketing and communications strategy and worked with a range of professionals on initiatives to improve diversity in the Library and Information sectors.

Prior to her move into the not-for-profit sector, Gemma was the marketing lead for TFPL, Sue Hill, and ILX Recruitment – specialist recruiters to the information and project management sectors. She was responsible for all elements of the brand and digital strategies for the organisations. Gemma started her career in a PR agency covering high profile clients in architecture, regeneration, and the built environment.

Gemma’s background includes a degree in philosophy from King’s College, London and a Master’s from Birkbeck. She is a keen runner and is also learning modern Greek.

Ashmina is a solicitor specialising in employment law and workplace disputes. She is passionate about providing clear, practical legal advice to both individuals and businesses, helping clients resolve complex issues whilst promoting fair and inclusive practices in the workplace.

Ashmina joined Thrive in December 2021, having qualified as a solicitor in November 2021.

With extensive experience in handling a broad spectrum of employment law matters, she provides expert legal guidance. Her areas of specialisation include advising on unfair and constructive dismissal, ensuring compliance with employment regulations, and offering strategic counsel on discrimination issues. She has a proven track record in negotiating and drafting settlement agreements and represents clients in employment tribunals with a focus on achieving favorable outcomes. In addition to her litigation expertise, she also offers proactive HR support, assisting organisations with policies, employee relations, and ensuring legal compliance in day-to-day operations.

Amy has worked in inclusion since 2016. As Head of Involvement and Inclusion at a large homelessness charity, she led the design and implementation of their I&D Strategy.

Her experience also includes overseeing large teams as Head of Operations, where she managed significant change projects, working as a Head of Quality and Performance, and working therapeutically with a diverse range of people in prisons, hostels and addiction services. Amy now works at Inclusive Employers as Head of Membership Experience working with hundreds of organisations from every sector to support them in their inclusion and culture change work.

Ongo were recently re-awarded accreditation for Leaders in Diversity from the National Centre for Diversity.

Eddie has been a civil servant for over 25 years, working mainly in the L&D/D&I space.  He has been the Head of Social Mobility for the MoJ, one of the largest government departments, for the past 4 years, and has responsibility for a number of Cross Government SoMo programmes including Catapult, a mentoring/sponsorship programme, which has supported over 10,000 staff from less privileged backgrounds to progress their careers.

Michael is the Group Head of EDI at Charlton Athletic FC and Community Trust – the current EFL Community Club of the Season.

Michael is a former member of the European Union (EU) Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) ground-breaking programme examining exclusion and discrimination in Sport across the EU Member States. He has also Chaired the London FA Inclusion Advisory Board, and EFL EDI Leads Forum, and has twice been recognised on the influential Football Black List alongside the likes of Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Vincent Kompany.