TOP 10 - WORKPLACE HEROES
Aderinsola Bamgbelu
Derin Bamgbelu is a Global Learning and Development Manager at Warner Bros. Discovery, with over five years of experience in the media and entertainment industry. She is a strong advocate for diversity, inclusion and belonging, and has been previously recognised for her work in Campaign Magazine’s Female Frontier Awards 2021 and with a top 10 place in the EMpower 100 Ethnic Minority Future Leaders 2021. Derin uses her role in learning and development to ignite change through the regional learning interventions she designs and the global people manager development programmes she manages. She also co-chairs the Black Outstanding Leaders Delivering (BOLD) Business Resource Group (BRG) and uses this position to provide opportunities for employees within the BRG to improve their personal development and increase their visibility within the business, as well as spreading awareness about key events that impact black African and Caribbean employees.
Jamie Barkley
As the most senior black operational leader in Rolls-Royce, Jamie Barkley uses his position to improve the career prospects and self-confidence of diverse employees. As an adviser to the African Caribbean Pioneers Network employee resource group (ERG), he provides support and coaching to improve the lives of African and Caribbean colleagues. As a member of the company’s Inclusion Forum, he shapes the diversity and inclusion agenda and policies in the business. Championing many other ERGs in the business, he mentors many diverse leaders including the Chair of the LGBTQ+ Network. His upbringing in the foster care network also inspires him to champion social mobility by sponsoring young adults into employment, education and training.
Seema Bhatnagar
Seema Bhatnagar is Indian and grew up in Belgium and England. She is a Chartered Management Consultant with 18 years of experience in risk and compliance. Seema is a Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP UK, focusing on non-financial risk transformation, where she is also a people leader in the Risk and Compliance consulting practice and Chair of the BAME D&I (Race) Steering Committee in Capital Markets. She worked previously at Capco, Shell and BNY Mellon. Seema holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The London School of Economics and an MBA from Solvay Business School. She is fluent in English, French and Hindi and is passionate about exploring different cultures.
Jannet Dosanjh
Jannet Dosanjh was one of the first Sikhs to join the Birmingham office of Pinsent Masons in 1998 and works as a PA/Co-ordinator to the Chief Technology Officer. Her parents immigrated to the UK from Panjab in 1961. When she first joined the firm, there were hardly any people at the office from a BAME background and it was quite daunting for her to be working in an environment that was not diverse. Jannet champions and is a role model at the firm for the F.R.E.E network (Faith, Race, Ethnicity and Equality). Her aim is to make Pinsent Masons the best place for colleagues to work at, at all levels, where they are free to be themselves and to embrace their faith and ethnicity.
Anoushka Lilley
Anoushka is the first female chair of Nationwide’s ethnicity network to represent the Asian community, and has worked tirelessly to push boundaries of wider representation across Nationwide. Anoushka led on Nationwide’s celebration of UK Asian Experience month, encouraging others to celebrate their identity by sharing her personal journey, “the two halves of me”, during which she spoke about growing up in a multicultural family and the role that all can play in creating equality and acceptance. This inspired her to train to be a counsellor outside of work to provide more representation in the community to discuss mental health and challenge cultural misconceptions, changes which she is also encouraging at work.
Sosseh Njie
Sosseh Njie, a BCLP Trainee Solicitor, is a trailblazer committed to driving change and inclusivity in the legal industry. Recognising the under-representation of black women, she spearheaded the formation of a ground-breaking Black Women in Law network within her law firm, BCLP. Through her tireless efforts, Sosseh created a supportive platform, empowering black women to excel in their legal careers. Moreover, she championed diversity and inclusion by organising the firm’s inaugural Iftar, fostering a sense of community and cultural understanding. Sosseh’s visionary leadership and dedication serve as an inspiration, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable legal profession.
Sarita Rai
Sarita Rai, Technical & Quality Team Leader at Tarmac, is proud to have been nominated as a Workplace Hero. Sarita represents her Sikh community within Tarmac as co-Chair of the REACH (Religious, Ethnic and Cultural Heritage) Community. In her role as co-Chair of REACH, she has been able to lead, pave the way and be a voice for the South Asian Community. She has demonstrated how successful a minority can become in a large workforce, and has worked tirelessly to collate an employee community to represent other Asian employees and promote REACH. The experience has given her the opportunity to become a leader who can identify challenges, find solutions and empower minorities to grasp opportunities, breaking down barriers in a male and white-dominated sector.
Lily Satterthwaite
Lily Satterthwaite currently works at Microsoft and serves as one of the esteemed UK Microsoft Women In Tech and STEM ambassadors, showcasing her dedication not only within Microsoft but also on a global scale. Committed to diversity and inclusion, Lily actively contributes as a Lead of the Global Technical Women Committee at Microsoft and as a board member of the Asians@Microsoft ERG, drawing upon her diverse heritage that encompasses German, Franco-Chinese, Vietnamese and Indian roots. Her ambition lies in inspiring and empowering underprivileged children and women to pursue careers in tech, solidifying her invaluable contribution to communities from black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds.
Seleeta Watson
Having started her professional journey in the travel industry, Seleeta Watson quickly developed a deep appreciation for cultural diversity. In 2010, she transitioned into IT and steadily progressed into a senior manager role, leveraging her technical expertise and leadership skills to drive successful outcomes. In 2020, Seleeta embarked on a personal mission to champion equality within her own organisation, and through her commitment and inspiring leadership she has made a significant impact on the lives and careers of her colleagues. Seleeta has taken the lead in creating safe spaces for open dialogue and spearheading landmark campaigns for Race Equality Week and Black History Month three years in a row.
Zahida Zubairu
Zahida Zubairu is a founding member and co-Chair of the Eradicating Racism Network at Nestlé UK&I. She has created safe spaces for ethnically diverse employees, led the network in coordinating events that celebrate cultural diversity, and educates all on how to be anti-racist. Zahida’s leadership has been instrumental in holding the organisation accountable for creating inclusive environments. She does all this in addition to being a successful Finance Manager. Zahida role models allyship by volunteering for the LGBT+ Network and supporting its activities. She also shares her story with students and graduates, providing a visible career path for ethnically diverse communities.