Dionne Eldridge, D&I Lead, Onvero (formerly The Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion)

• Understanding the changing debate around race equality, EDI and anti-racism and the impact of increased political and media scrutiny
• Distinguishing between legitimate challenge to EDI approaches and barriers that can prevent organisations from addressing racial inequality
• Exploring what the current evidence tells us about progress, persistent inequalities and the workplace experience of Black and ethnic minority employees
• Identifying where employers can find common ground and move the conversation towards practical action

Sunder Katwala, Director, British Future (invited)

• Exploring how organisations can move beyond standalone EDI initiatives to embed race equity across leadership, recruitment, policy development, decision-making and community engagement
• Practical approaches to assessing organisational progress, identifying areas for development and setting realistic goals for sustained change
• Exploring how co-production with staff, service users and wider stakeholders can shape approaches that are practical, accessible and responsive to organisational and community needs
• Sharing lessons from implementing race equality measurements, including overcoming challenges around self-assessment, avoiding a ‘box-ticking’ approach and embedding race equity alongside existing organisational priorities

Dr Amanda Simon, Researcher, Race Equality Foundation (invited)

• Understanding the barriers affecting recruitment, progression and retention of ethnic minority employees
• Using workforce data to identify where representation gaps emerge across the employee journey
• Strengthening sponsorship, development and progression opportunities without relying on one-off initiatives
• Building leadership accountability for sustained improvements in representation

Yvonne Coghill, Co-chair, International Race and Health Experts Group, Member, NHS Race and Health Observatory Board (invited)

Jennifer Lobley, Senior Strategy and Policy Adviser, Acas

This session offers a space to share the key challenges your organisation faces in promoting race equality, and to discuss what is working well in practice. Through open discussion and shared experiences, participants will explore practical ways to create more inclusive workplaces and address racial inequality.

• Identifying the organisational practices that have the greatest impact on workplace experience
• Tackling racism, unequal treatment and barriers to opportunity in everyday working environments
• Understanding what employees need from managers and leaders
• Sharing practical approaches that can be implemented across different organisations

Alex Johl, the EDI Project Manager and Co-Chair of the Race Equality Network, University of Birmingham (invited)

Sandra Kerr CBE, Race Equality Director, Business in the Community (CONFIRMED)

• Understanding how organisational culture, leadership and everyday behaviours shape experiences of racism and inclusion at work
• Identifying and addressing racism, microaggressions and unequal treatment across workplace environments
• Equipping managers and leaders to recognise concerns, challenge inappropriate behaviour and create psychologically safer workplaces
• Embedding anti-racist practice into organisational culture rather than relying on standalone initiatives or EDI teams

Jane Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Leicestershire County Council (invited)

• Turning workforce data, employee insight and organisational priorities into clear and targeted race equality actions
• Setting realistic objectives and measures to move beyond broad commitments and demonstrate meaningful progress
• Establishing clear ownership and accountability across senior leaders, managers, HR and EDI teams
• Reviewing progress, identifying what is and is not working, and adapting approaches to sustain long-term change

Mitul Shah, Partner, Deloitte, Member, Race Equality Leadership Team, Business in the Community (invited)

Dionne Eldridge, D&I Lead, Onvero (formerly The Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion)