The IAB was formed in 2020 to give development opportunities to a diverse group of talent from across the firm and improve the quality of senior level decision making.
The board is made up of 12 people who work in an agile and digital way alongside senior leaders. They meet just prior to senior leadership meetings to discuss key agenda items and also input remotely as needed. Each meeting is chaired by a member of the IAB with support from a senior leader.
Since 2020 the Inclusion Advisory Board (IAB) has supported and challenged senior leaders to make more inclusive decisions, on everything from how we work to management approaches and certain policies.
To make sure we continually consider new perspectives, six of the 12 IAB members will rotate each year to give other colleagues the opportunity to share their views and inform decision making at the highest level.
In September 2022, we opened applications for colleagues to self-nominate to become part of our IAB. Here we introduce our six successful applicants.
Louise Johnston
I'm keen to learn from others about their digital journey as we embark upon our own payroll solutions next year. I see this as an opportunity to help us collaborate across the firm, creating an inclusive environment for all.
I manage a team of six and I find the people management side of my role very rewarding. Humans are not like processes or formulas, and you never stop learning as a manager.
Prior to joining Grant Thornton, I spent many years navigating a full-time job, while raising my now grown-up daughter, during a time when there wasn’t any support or recognition for working parents.
Chris Tune
As a white middle-aged man my diversity is not visible. I'm an openly gay, Northern man from a working-class background, the first – and so far, only – family member to go into further education. I joined the firm as a director in the forensic and investigation services team in the summer of 2022 and aim to bring a fresh outsider perspective to the IAB. My commitment to inclusion and diversity (I&D) extends outside of work, and I am a trustee of Diversity Role Models, a charity seeking to embed empathy and inclusion in schools.
Kimishka Naidoo
I'm a South African Indian British female working in the valuations and modelling team, with a sole focus on real estate. I am also a chartered surveyor and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) registered valuer.
I'm proud to mentor young females from ethnic minority backgrounds who are seeking professional careers in real estate. I take pride in using my voice to amplify others who may not have access due to social, cultural and financial restrictions.
Working in Sub-Saharan Africa exposed me to various cultures, ethnicities and social structures. I'm looking forward to implementing positive change and bringing awareness to unknown aspects of inclusion and diversity that I've learned through my personal and professional experience.
Claire Hampson
I joined Grant Thornton when I left university and am now an associate director. I want to give back in a way that paves the way for future junior employees to get the most out of their time with us. I strongly believe that diversity of thought, and feeling included and safe at work, creates increased innovation, improved employee wellbeing and stronger staff retention rates.
Jemma Pearson
I’ve been at Grant Thornton for seven-and-a-half years and I really enjoy my role in our resourcing function. Inclusion plays a key part as we have to make sure we're continually identifying and removing barriers for people so they feel a sense of belonging within our firm.
I'm really looking forward to having the opportunity to inform firmwide strategies and influence using my own experiences. To become part of a group that advises and supports the senior leadership team with its inclusive, high-level decision making is a great opportunity for all of us on the IAB.
Ellie Hughes
I have a small idea of what it’s like to feel ‘other’ – from having a very different background to my peers to often being the only woman in a room of 20 men in a previous role. I believe there should be no limit on ambition, regardless of your background, gender, disability status or anything else. Talent is everywhere, we just need to work harder to find and nurture it.
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