Inspire Inclusion on IWD – In conversation with Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE & Paul Sesay

Join us for a virtual live conversational piece with Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE and Paul Sesay, where we will be delving into this year’s International Women’s Day theme; Inspire Inclusion.

Whilst we have come so far in terms of celebration of women in our workplaces and their contributions, we still have so much work to do to ensure true equity for all women.

The current landscape shows:

• Only 4% of CEOs at FTSE 250 companies are women
• The employment rate for women with dependent children is 74% compared to the 93% employment rate for men with dependent children.
• The UK’s position on the Women in Work Index is at a low 14th, down five places from 2020 (shocking for one of the wealthiest countries in the world)

During this conversation, Yvonne and Paul will explore some of these challenges, share best practice and unpick their expertise regarding inclusion in the workplace and wider society.

Recipient of the Lifetime Achiever Award at the Inclusive Awards 2023, Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE DL Fellows RSA RA, SGCW, KCL (Leadership Exec Coach) is an entrepreneurial business leader, founder of Wintrade Global Women Intra & Entrepreneurs Network, and role model; we are thrilled to spotlight Yvonne during this discussion.

Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE

A dynamic, entrepreneurial business leader with a proven record for building high performing teams.  Since starting her own PR Company over 30 years ago Ms Thompson has acquired an exceptional range of transferable skills that can complement high performing companies and organisations.

Originally from Guyana, South America, Ms Thompson has always shown an entrepreneurial flair. Not taking the usual channel to the small business arena, she evolved from freelance writing for many music industry papers including Music Week the industry bible, and IPC weekly and monthly titles.  She also has been involved in many successful firsts in the UK including, being Music Editor for the UK’s first Black Monthly glossy magazine – Root, and also being a founder and director of the UK’s first Black Music radio station Choice FM, now owned by the Global Radio Group.  Other firsts include, starting the first Black Owned PR company (according to PR Week),now known as ASAP Communications; running the first in depth research of the lifestyle of  the Black community across the UK – The Black Consumer Survey and starting the UK’s first Black Women Business Network – The European Federation of Black Women Business Owners.

She also has over 20 years’ experience for which she is well known on public sector boards, which includes, Chairing:- the London Central Learning and Skills Council, DTI’s Ethnic Minority Business Forum, African Caribbean Business Network, and many others where to brings energy, experience, dedication, and change to and for many.

Often called upon for media interviews, on issues concerning small business, women and minorities; Ms Thompson is no stranger to engaging with Prime Ministers, Ministers, and high profile personalities in the business arena.  Having made her mark in the UK she was awarded a CBE(Commander Of The British Empire) in the Queen’s Birthday Honour List  in 2003 for her services to women, small business and minorities. In 2005 she was awarded an honorary doctorate by London Metropolitan University for services to small business, and mass communications.  She has been recognised across the UK and Europe as well as internationally, having been acknowledged by the Mayor of Houston Texas, with an Yvonne Thompson Day (4th January) as well as being named in Washington in the Congressional Records.

Ms Thompson has been hailed as a role model in the Black community in the UK and Europe and for women in general wanting to start their own business. She has chaired many governmental committees, including the DTI(now BIS), the Learning & Skills Councils and sat on many boards including the first Mayoral advisory board for the LDA(London Development Agency).  Her most recent profiled roles includes working with a prestigious corporate network, TNON (The Network Of Networks), chairing the events committee for the Women’s Diplomatic Service Network, and most recently appointed to the Economics Honours Committee where she is committed to help in their campaign to increase nominations from  minorities and women.

Paul Sesay

Paul Sesay is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the National Diversity Awards, Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers, Inclusive Awards and Inclusive Companies since 2006. Paul’s business acumen has mainly been with a social focus.

With over fifteen years worth of experience within the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion sector, Paul has worked with some of the largest organisations in the world on their diversity and inclusion profiles.

He has also worked within local communities to help people from various backgrounds to achieve and empower disadvantaged groups throughout the UK. Paul’s initiatives have helped thousands of organisations and individuals get recognised for their hard work and dedication to diversity.