Shaheen Mamun | Director | Black Antelope Law
I`m a Human Rights and Public Law Solicitor, co-founding Black Antelope Law with a vision for progress, leveraging collaborative strategies and early equity partnerships.
My focus on holding Public Bodies accountable has earned recognition, with contributions to outlets like the Law Gazette and LexisNexis.
Honours include Human Rights Lawyer of the Year at the 2022 Global Law Experts Annual Awards, the 2022 Lawyer Network Annual Awards, and the 2023 Corporate INTL Global Award. Recognized as a Rising Star in Immigration Law at the SME News Legal Awards 2021 and 2023`s Business Legal Awards.
Commendations include BSN Rising Star of the Year at the 2016 Legal Diversity Awards and One to Watch at the British Muslim Awards 2017. Finalist nods for Lawyer of the Year at the 2020 Modern Law Awards and the University of Westminster Alumni Awards 2023 underscore my dedication.
Inclusivity and diversity are core values, reflected in our inclusion in EqualityX`s Top 50 Inclusive Muslim Employers and initiatives like the Muslim Employment Charter and Bar Council`s Women in Law Pledge.
Under my leadership, Black Antelope Law became the first BSB-regulated firm to receive the Bar Council`s Certificate of Well-being, emphasizing mental health support.
Outside Black Antelope Law, I serve on the Law Society`s EDI Committee, act as a Social Mobility Ambassador, and hold a Non-Executive Director position at Coram`s Fields, aligning with my broader commitment to equality and inclusion in and beyond the legal profession.
Pavan Ganugapati | Senior Managing Director | Accenture
I am a Senior Managing Director at Accenture and the EMEA lead for Accenture’s Microsoft Business across all industries.
Throughout my career, I have consistently sought to make a significant impact in the realm of sales leadership. From driving multimillion-dollar industry sales to spearheading transformative tech campaigns, my track record is one of groundbreaking accomplishments.
As a trusted advisor at Accenture, I have the privilege of working closely with CEOs and CIOs, guiding their technology transformations and driving business success.
My unwavering commitment to learning and growth fuels my ability to stay at the forefront of industry trends and effectively sell Microsoft solutions. I am an SME in the full stack of what Microsoft technology offers today (Azure, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, AI & Data, Future of Work & Security) and focused on accelerating futuristic capability in Industry Clouds, Collaborative Apps, Sovereign Cloud, Metaverse & Sustainability. My work cuts across ALL Accenture growth priorities with focus on Microsoft plays in each of them.
Beyond my professional responsibilities, I am driven by a passion for working on high-impact themes, such as E2E Business Services and the ever-evolving realm of the Artificial Intelligence, Data and Cloud, where I can shape the future of industries and contribute to their ongoing transformation.
Lee Burman | Executive Director | Morgan Stanley
I am an Executive Director in ORRC and is the EMEA head of International Tax Operations.
I lead Operational Tax processes covering Transaction Taxes, Withholding Taxes and Capital Gains Taxes.
I have been with Morgan Stanley for 18 years and have held a variety of positions including Global Head of Payment Governance, EMEA Head of Global Network Management, Global Head of Market Infrastructure, Global Head of Credit Risk Operations and EMA Head of Equity Collateral.
I began my career in 1995 at Robert Fleming in the City as an A-level trainee before attending the University of Surrey (I was the first of my family to go to University and the first to work in the City of London). I graduated in 1999 and subsequently worked at RBS and Nomura before joining Morgan Stanley in 2005. I relocated to Glasgow with my family in 2016.
Harry Kelly | Director, Medicinal Chemistry Recruitment & Talent Development | GSK
After completing my BSc and PhD at the University of Glasgow, I joined GSK as a medicinal chemist.
In my early career, I took on roles of increasing responsibility which resulted in being appointed leader of a medicinal chemistry programme designed to identify a novel treatment for cardiovascular diseases. In 2004, I was appointed Chemistry Operations Manager and in 2013, was promoted to Director of Medicinal Chemistry Recruitment & Talent Development. This role involves the recruitment of chemists at all levels, from apprenticeship positions to senior leader positions.
I have also played a central role in transforming talent development within GSK chemistry, through the creation of a two-part, modular approach to training, complete with external validation, robust assessment, and recognised qualifications. This incorporates two formally recognised programmes, the GSK Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Development in collaboration with the University of Kent, and the GSK/University of Strathclyde Collaborative PhD Programme, both of which I am the GSK Director.
ED&I is of paramount importance to me and I am notably invested in supporting female scientists in the area of medicinal chemistry. In recognition of my contributions to the ED&I culture within GSK, I won the Race Champion award at the inaugural 2022 GSK Embrace Awards.
Rebecca Valori | Associate Director | Royal Bank of Canada
I am a lawyer in the financial services industry specialising in litigation and investigations.
I spent eleven years working for a magic circle firm before moving in house to work at the Royal Bank of Canada.
Scott Freeman | Culinary Director - ESS | Compass Group UK & Ireland
I started my career in Hospitality at the age of 15, and worked in Restaurants in London, Australia and New Zealand, before returning to the UK with a passion to inspire, teach and train the next generation of Chefs.
I taught for 8 years, and found new opportunities afterwards with Compass Group, developing the Chef Apprenticeship Academy, recruiting 16–19-year-olds into the business and supporting their training.
In 2014, I became Head of School for the UK’s first Career College for Hospitality and Enterprise with Bromley College – delivering GCSEs to 14–16-year-olds within a Hospitality environment; building a College from a blueprint and opening a fully functioning restaurant where Students were employed and learned their new trade as well as gaining their GCSEs through industry-sponsored Hospitality projects.
In 2015, I returned to Compass Group as Exec Chef for ESS Government Services, which later led to a Nationwide role. Three years ago I was promoted to Culinary Director, where I’m responsible for the food offer for our clients in the UK Military.
I’m still a supporter of helping young people into my Industry, and support Springboard UK and also Compass’ own Apprenticeship programmes.
My role also extends globally and I hold one of the nineteen positions on the Compass Global Culinary Council, advocating and supporting positive changes for our Chefs worldwide. I represent the UK on a “People” sub-committee, discussing gender and race equality, levelling up of pay, responsibilities, job roles and understanding how to support Chef-colleagues in my position.
Mario Furriel | Head of UHNW Private Solutions | HSBC
I am currently Head of Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) Private Solutions UK at HSBC Private Bank servicing UHNW clients with their Investment and Corporate banking needs.
I started my career over 18y ago starting at Banif Investment Bank and then worked at Barclays in a similar role before moving to HSBC.
In my day-to-day, I deal with sophisticated UHNW, Family Office and Entrepreneur clients with non-traditional Private Banking needs which includes M&A, Capital Raising, Equity/Debt Capital Markets, Institutional Financing, Corporate Banking and opportunities to invest directly into businesses via our unique Direct Investment service.
David Morgan | International Treasurer | Royal Bank of Canada
I am currently Royal Bank of Canada`s International Treasurer where I have responsibility for managing RBC`s financial resources wisely and efficiently across our offices in Asia, Europe and the Caribbean.
Recognising the immense value in diversity of thought and experience for risk management as well as innovation in our business, I`ve actively striven to build diverse teams. Over 14 years, as my team has grown in size and in global reach, our composition has evolved and I am proud to lead my current highly talented team of global colleagues, where the gender balance is 50/50 with women comprising 50% of Director and above positions.
Within RBC I am an executive co-sponsor of RBC`s European Women`s Network, RWomen. The network currently has more than 800 members with big ambitions to grow. As co-sponsor I am responsible for convening the RWomen committee and helping support its growth and development. Our committee consists of 28 members across all levels and business segments of our organisation.
Prior to RBC i spent ten years at the Financial Services Authority, designing and implementing regulations to support the safety and soundness of the banking sector.
Outside of work i have spent 11 years on the board of a local credit union that supports the financial resilience of communities in some of London`s poorest wards. I am also the Chair of Coin Street Community Builders, a social enterprise working in Waterloo and North Southwark creating a diverse and welcoming place for people to live, work, and play.
Dominic Baker | Managing Director | Marsh McLennan
Dominic Baker, Managing Director at Marsh McLennan, leading teams of colleagues in the Corporate & Commercial segment in the UK.
Dominic Joined the Industry in 2000 after leaving 6th Form in Swindon where he grew up in a single parent family with mum and three sisters, Amy, Patsy and Sylvie.
Dominic has worked for both large multi nationals and small owner managed business in London and the regions and advocates diversity of thought and that teams made up of a range of backgrounds and experiences delivers greater business results and more rewarding careers.
Rukevwe Laura Akpowaye | Technical Business Analyst | PwC
I am a Technical Business Analyst with a profound focus on driving innovation and digital transformation initiatives and fostering organizational change.
Throughout my career, I`ve undertaken diverse roles, from conducting user research and supporting digital product launches to implementing systemic changes. My focus extends to orchestrating comprehensive communication strategies that facilitate seamless transitions across varied business landscapes.
Beyond my professional capacity, I am fervently dedicated to making a positive impact within both the workplace and the broader community. My passion for social mobility, education, and gender equality is evident in my active involvement in initiatives aimed at promoting inclusion and bridging the digital divide, especially within the tech sector. My commitment to fostering a supportive workplace extends to my involvement in various committees where I constantly advocate for new joiners, ensuring their smooth integration into the organization while championing diversity and inclusion.
Engaging in social causes, I`ve volunteered with non-governmental organizations, leading sensitization workshops addressing teenage pregnancy, social misconduct, and abuse among young women. Recently, I`ve contributed to program design and implementation for a Tech upskilling initiative with a not-for-profit organisation in Africa, furthering my commitment to bridging the digital divide.
My journey reflects a persistent pursuit of excellence, leadership, and a profound belief in the transformative power of diversity and inclusion to fuel innovation and positive change. Through mentoring and active engagement in impactful initiatives, I aspire to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future and become a seasoned leader in the Tech industry