DiverCity Podcast: Talking Diversity and Inclusion in the Financial Services Industry Julia Streets Productions

In our first episode of Series 16, we begin with a special extended episode focusing on antisemitism, the ‘oldest form of hatred in the world’. Host Julia Streets is joined by Gideon Falter, Chief Executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism and national newspaper Journalist, Nicole Lampert. Together they chart the rise of antisemitism and the exclusion of Jewish people in the diversity discussion. They discuss how to provide both practical support and demonstrate inclusion for Jewish people within the workplace, and the power and importance of networks and allies.

In this episode, host Julia Streets is joined by Sophie Creese, Founder of MotherBoard, and Eleanor Mills, Editor in Chief of noon.org.uk. They explore the current landscape of women at work; the ages and stages of women in the workforce: from mothers to ‘Queenagers’, which now includes five generations. They discuss opportunities for women in midlife, the wasted economic and skills potential, the (not so) ‘great break up’ and the reality of gendered ageism. They discuss policies and best practice around reproductive health for employees, particularly during pregnancy, the requirements for returning mothers and recognises the midlife pinch facing women before they emerge into the ‘sunny uplands’ post-menopause.

In this episode, host Julia Streets is joined by Billie Simmons, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Daylight, a queer-owned and queer-run members-only neobank and Geffrye Parsons, Founder and CEO (‘Chief Empathy Officer’) of The Inclusion Imperative, a best-practice Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) consultancy. They explore how financial services can create a sense of belonging for LGBTQ+ people. They look at the importance of focusing on the intersectionality of the LGBTQ+ community. With the changes in the social and political climate, they discuss the compelling need for psychological safety, with a sharp focus on the mental health and the wellbeing of the community. They discuss how this includes employees working within the industry globally, as well extending this consideration beyond to its customers.

In this episode, host Julia Streets is joined by Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell, CEO of 10,000 Black Interns Foundation and the 10,000 Able Interns Foundation, and Philiip Olagunju, Head of corporate finance at PEM, the oldest and largest independent accountancy practice in Cambridge, UK. They discuss advocating for the unrepresented through both structured internships and organic connections. Together they explore regional differences outside the capital and beyond regional cities, the differing degrees of acceptance across the country, call out the barriers to change and consider how best to drive better inclusion for all.

In this episode, host Julia Streets is joined by Ed Warner, founder of the inclusive design business Motionspot and Ross Hovey, Accessibility Guru, Accessibility Consultant and Lloyds Banking Group Disability Role Model. They explore the importance of inclusive design to serve talent across all protected characteristics, with a particular focus on intersectionality, neurodiversity and different stages of life. The discussion leads to why there we need broader EDI strategies that incorporate an inclusive design mindset. Together they discuss the value of more diverse and all embracing workspaces, designed for wellbeing and belonging, so individuals can thrive, free from potential barriers and obstacles.

In this episode, host Julia Streets is joined by Dorien Nuñez, Speaker, Author, Researcher, Consultant and Principal and Co-Founder of The OMNIResearch Group and Paris Prince, Director - Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion for The Intentional Endowments Network.
Both from the United States, Dorien shares his experience of five decades on Wall Street and together they chart the changes through diversity, equity and inclusion. They explore furthering the ESG debate within financial services and make fascinating comparisons between the US and the UK. Paris takes the diversity discussion to new bounds with his views on JEDI and both offer listeners practical suggestions to drive real change.