Rhiannon Evans | Deloitte
Having dedicated my studies to Law, with a strong focus on criminal law and justice, I was thrown a curve ball when changes to the criminal law funding system meant I exited my education and professional training into a landscape of limited opportunities. Understanding the importance of resilience and finding opportunities that work for you, I soon found myself as a Graduate Trainee within the Metropolitan Police Service Directorate of Information where I developed a solid base of project management, business analysis and contract management (a nod of recognition to my years of legal studies!) skills, whilst gaining true insight into frontline policing and the behind the scenes support required to help officers deliver the best service to the community. Ever the one to relish new challenges, I chose to move to Transport for London to further develop my business analysis skills and try out a new sector. This period saw me enhance my relationship management skills and also provided me with an opportunity to train and lead on employee engagement and its link to developing high performing teams within an organisation; a subject I remain passionate about to this day. When I moved to my current role within Deloitte, I knew instantly it was an opportunity to get back into the Criminal Justice Sector and I have embedded myself within the Security and Justice Account team, delivering to a client base I feel truly invested in. I thoroughly relish the role I play in developing advice and guidance to clients on the challenges they face; ensuring the quality of the service they deliver to the public is never compromised in an environment of intense public scrutiny and demanding budgetary pressures.
Louise O'Sullivan | IBM
Louise O’Sullivan is a Senior Strategy Consultant at IBM. After completing her BA (Hons) in Business Management, MSc in Management and her first graduate role in finance (realising it wasn’t for her!) she joined the IBM graduate scheme. She grew and learnt quickly, achieving her promotions in quick succession. Now, she is primarily involved in leading and managing Business Change and Learning Development projects across many industries. Louise is incredibly passionate about what she does; consistently delivering value to clients, driving innovation and building trust and strong relationships with clients and colleagues alike.
Louise has always been dedicated to her development, and is now recognised as an SME in Learning, a competent Project Manager certified in both PRINCE2 and Agile, and highly skilled in Design Thinking, Learning Development and Change Management Methodologies.
Outside of her client work, Louise is also heavily involved in: developing and growing global IBM communities, mentoring peers and creating, implementing and driving the People Agenda across UKI accounts. Focusing her efforts on developing and promoting a people-centric and supportive environment for her colleagues to share knowledge, network, build skills, and find new opportunities in.
Hannah Proctor | Mercer Limited
I graduated from the University of West England with an honours degree in Law and Business Studies before joining Mercer in 2014. For the first two years of my career at Mercer, I worked within the health division, namely Mercer Marsh Benefits™ (“MMB”). This gave me direct exposure and experience of working in the UK Employee Benefits industry where my primary focus was to provide first class consultancy and support services to a corporate portfolio of clients.
Although I would now class myself as having all round knowledge of UK benefits, my particular areas of expertise were on UK contract based pensions (including Automatic Enrolment) as well as Group Protection benefits, such as Group Life and Group Income Protection.
Keen to progress within Mercer, I volunteered and undertook a number of additional projects/assignments to learn new technical and behavioural skills. This included ‘Reverse Mentoring’ with members of the Mercer UK leadership team, attending and actively participating in Sales Effectiveness training using the Miller Heiman sales methodology, leading on client meetings with more senior consultants and taking the lead on local office charity projects. I tried to make the most of these opportunities and was keen to receive feedback from colleagues at every opportunity.
As a result of the development work that I put in, I applied for a job within Mercer’s Multinational Client Group (“MCG”) in late 2015, was successful in that application and then joined the team in January 2016. As a member of this team, I provide International Consulting services to a number of household name multinational organisations. My daily work involves global benefits consulting, multi-national benefits co-ordination and salary/benefits benchmarking as well as a host of additional daily duties in order to provide a first class service to my clients.
In order to support my development within the MCG team, I am a student member of the International Employee Benefits Association (“IEBA”) and I am studying for the Diploma in International Employee Benefits.
Janina White | Governance Risk Compliance Global Limited
Janina (Yana) White is a British writer, couch and troubleshooter.
She has Master’s Degree in Journalism and Political Sciences as well as a qualification of a Chartered Company Secretary (a professional who works with companies documents) in addition to various linguistic and financial qualifications.
Janina is an author of political / business thriller-crime novels (series “True London crime novels”), to be filmed in 2018, series “England for dummies”, in Russian language, which you can read and buy here.
She also writes non-fiction books such as “10 laws of over-motivation, or how to become a superhero in 10 days”, “Poor Rich Mum”, “Manual for the Lord of the Soul”, “My profession – brainfixer”, “Life without stress” etc. which you can find and buy on www. yanawhite.com. On this website you can find more information on Janina’s coaching services.
Janina has also produced as a co-author a scientific paper with the Nova Science Publishers (New York), in English language, on newest assessment productivity tools in economics.
In 2016 Janina has published a book in Russian language “To buy or not to buy. Покупка недвижимости в Великобритании” which has become an instant bestseller and chosen by Waterstones to be sold via their website and in store.
In 2017 the book has been translated in Polish so now the Polish community can learn how to get on a property ladder.
As a troubleshooter Janina deals with complex legal and litigation issues which she sometimes develops as a feature stories in her books and other publications.
At the moment Janina also works with women from all backgrounds as a coach to help them to achieve their objectives sooner and more efficient way.
Rhianne Blockley | IBM
Rhianne studied Economics, Geography and Graphics at A Level, achieving 3 A grades resulting in her place at the University of Exeter to study Business Economics. Following her degree, she joined the Graduate Programme within IBM’s Talent and Engagement (T&E) Practice in October 2014.
Rhianne has worked with several high-profile clients in a variety of sectors. Her first being the Executive Assistant to the IBM Managing Director of one of IBM’s largest Industrial Accounts. She then went onto a Training Developer role for a public sector client, subsequently leading the training piece for a large Release, successfully designing, developing and delivering the Training, affirming her strengths of building relationships, attention to detail and managing multiple workstreams. Rhianne then moved onto a Financial Services client as the Communications & Engagement Lead where she continues to grow and develop her skills and capabilities, inspiring positive behaviours and improving the employee experience.
At present, Rhianne works as a Senior Business Consultant, and is currently working as the Change Enablement Workstream Lead for a Transformation Programme within a large Test Service. Rhianne sees her future in business transformation, engagement initiatives and development of people agendas.
Outside of work, Rhianne loves to travel and takes every opportunity she can to do so! She also enjoys socialising with her friends and family and going to the gym.
Xia Chen | Deloitte
Xia is a Junior Architect within the Deloitte Technology, Strategy & Architecture practice who has over 2 years’ of experience working in IT Architecture and Integration consulting in the UK. Her consulting experiences includes completing 1) an Architecture Analysis and Engagement Roadmap, 2) an Application Management Audit, 3) an Architecture Maturity Assessment, 4) an Enterprise Architecture Capability Setup, 5) Integration delivery experience on ESB platforms, and 6) Integration Centre of Excellence Setup. She has worked with clients from industries including Automotive, Public Sector, Retail, Travel & Leisure, Financial Services, and Pharmaceuticals.
Graduated with a MSc Management from Imperial College London and a BSc IT Management for Business from University of Manchester, Xia has been an active alumnus in volunteering activities contributing back to her alma maters.
Darryl Brissett-Dowe | Capita
In sixth form I studied Maths, Physics, Chemistry and French. I remember thinking “What am I going to do with this?” The answer came to me following an unfortunate accident involving my PlayStation and a hardwood floor. Console condemned, I opened it up to reveal the amazing, complex circuitry inside. I needed to know how it worked.
I applied to study for a BEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering at the University of Nottingham- what really captured my attention was the management side of the course. I loved working with people – supporting them to succeed.
Post graduation I won an internship with the Environment Technology Centre at the University of Nottingham. We advised on using technological interventions to combat environmental challenges.
I went on to become a Lean Practitioner, working in both the public and private sector. Here I helped clients define value and transform their organisations with focus on value added activities. I was awarded a ‘Mark In Action’, recognition of my outstanding customer service.
I moved to Fujitsu, where I expanded my skill set, focusing on Enterprise Architecture, Agile Software Development, Business Analysis and Process Re-engineering projects. I am currently a Senior Consultant at Capita Transformation.
Throughout my career I have coached and mentored clients and colleagues; Key to this is to embrace and harness their differences – I have a passion for diversity that informs my approach to work and life.
I have helped to develop Women’s Business Networks, with the aim to discover and address why there is still such a large disparity between men and women in IT and Consulting. In one case, I was nominated as a ‘Role Model’, featuring on their newsletter and website. At Capita Transformation, I am on steering groups for Diversity & Inclusion and our Women’s network- Ellevation.
In my spare time I volunteer for, and am on the General Committee for, the British Science Association. I see this role as an opportunity to promote the sciences and technological industries as a safe space for people of all backgrounds, genders and socioeconomic statuses.
I currently sit on an advisory board for an All Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity & Inclusion in STEM. Here I get the opportunity to work with MPs and business leaders, review the Industrial Strategy, influence policy and create lasting change. Together, we are working towards shaping a STEM sector that truly represents the diversity, ingenuity and creativity of the British population.
Chrisann Jarrett | Just for Kids Law
Chrisann Jarrett, 23, is founder of an equal access to higher education campaign called Let Us Learn. She recently graduated with a law degree from LSE. In 2013 Chrisann was forced to take a gap year after recognising that her immigration status prevented her from being eligible for student finance. She was told that instead of being charged £9,000 a year she was classified as an international student and had to pay £17,000 to begin her degree. Determined to make her gap-year productive Chrisann started a 4-month internship at Just for kids Law, during this time she met other young people going through the same situation.
In 2014, Let Us Learn was created, the aim being to change the secondary legislation that prevented young ambitious migrants from starting their degrees. Due to her efforts Chrisann was able to secure a full scholarship from the LSE covering her 3 years of study. After months of lobbying, going to APPG meetings and featuring on BBC Newsnight, Chrisann was able to work with barristers and lawyers at Just for Kids Law and submit supporting evidence in a Supreme Court intervention in a test case called Tigere. This led to a change in the law that has benefitted hundreds of young people.
Chrisann continues to campaign in order to broaden access to higher education. The campaign has grown from 3 young people to over 900 with 21 active volunteers. In 2016 the campaign launched a scholarship campaign which subsequently led to over 16 universities widening their scholarship criteria to include young migrants with unsettled status.
Her efforts have been widely recognised, she was shortlisted for a Liberty Human Right Award in 2015, named Young Woman of the Year 2015, Number 1 Future Leader by the Powerlist Magazine 2015/16. In 2017 she was named number 30 on the Tab Future100 female students to watch and nominated as a Role Model and Diversity Champion in Education by the National Diversity Awards 2017.
Chrisann now works full time on the Let Us Learn campaign focussing on the aspirations of young people and developing young leaders She hopes to qualify as a lawyer in the near future
Abigail Foster-Brown | Children on the Edge
As a child who grew up in care an opportunity to trek through the jungle of Borneo at 16 was the catalyst that changed my outlook on the world. This once in a lifetime experience provided by the Journey of a Lifetime Trust founded a self-belief that change was achievable if you persevere. The JOLT family was something that I admired; the organisations ability to give underrepresented and disadvantaged children an inspirational and motivating starting point was amazing.
In an attempt to find a way to create similar change I discovered Amnesty International. Founding a group in college I began to give talks and assemblies on the ethos behind Amnesty's work and the difference that taking a stand can make. Becoming a Youth Advisory Group member at Amnesty's headquarters in London helped me realise my voice.
I pursued education deciding to study clinical linguistics as a BA course because of the importance communication represented to me. My further MA in International Development allowed me to refocus my attention on representation and EU legislation, specifically on domestic violence in Latvia, a country heavily torn between an Eastern past and a Western future. Undertaking an unpaid work placement with Transparency International and MARTA, the only domestic violence NGO in Latvia, led me to the staggering corruption and gender violence within the country.
Working at Nottingham County Council I spoke at educational training days for social workers and explained my story and how best to support children in care. My time during their local elections allowed me to see legislative powers of in action. I also became an inspirational speaker for groups of children in care, highlighting my education and how it can change lives.
I left University as second highest in my class and with an honorary 1st. Inspired for change and motivated I secured a job with Children on the Edge; working with vulnerable and forgotten children on the edges of society that aim to bring hope through providing the stability of education. As a Fundraising and Communications office I get to tie all of my previous experience in charity, communication, and inspiration to my fundraisers; showing them that the smallest change can make the biggest differences.
Verena Hefti | Leaders Plus
Verena set up Leaders Plus, an innovative Social Enterprise, to address the issue that too many talented parents feel forced to drop off the leadership pipeline after having had children.
After giving birth to baby Naira, Verena decided to help more new parents stay on the leadership trajectory and started to work on Leaders Plus. She is currently pregnant with her second child.
When on her first maternity leave, Verena and many of her peers felt torn between wanting to be a loving parent and being ambitious in their careers.
Verena was passionate about showing how you can do both.
With her work, Verena challenges the paradigm that you have to choose between continuing a leadership career and be a loving parent to young children.
Previously, Verena has run highly successful leadership development programmes and events for 10 years in Switzerland, Denmark and the UK, most recently as South East at Teach First where she worked to redesign leadership development conferences and delivered leadership training to 400 Teach First participants.
She graduated with an MA with distinction in Social Anthropology from the University of Manchester where she studied gender equality in depth.