Rebecca Hawkins is a UK-based sculptor whose work celebrates human stories of strength and freedom. Public commissions have included 'the Gurkha' in Folkestone town centre (for which she was shortlisted for the Marsh award for excellence in public sculpture) and 'The Mother and Child', commissioned to raise awareness for a stigmatised group of Vietnamese women and children called the Lai Dai Han and now sited permanently in St James’s Square, London. Rebecca has the ability to use her art to give voice to the voiceless and represent the pain (and triumphs) of people affected by some of the harshest experiences in life. Particularly drawn to stories around women and water, she has collaborated with Frank Water (a British charity that provides vital access to safe water for communities in rural India and Nepal) creating a series of sculptures... one of which ('A Better View') host Lila came across at a water conference and felt moved to buy (despite never having bought art before). That connection between Lila and Rebecca's work opened the path to the fascinating and inspiring conversation you hear in this episode, which really gets across how art has a power to communicate on EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) in ways that traditional corporate policies and processes often cannot. Topic discussed include... Why Rebecca is drawn to stories of strength and freedom, often involving women and water What her sculptures have meant to the people whose stories they communicate Her methods for finding symbolism and what the complex process of creating a large scale bronze sculpture actually involves What happens when you use art as a workshop tool in everywhere from rural villages in Nepal to Merrill Lynch's corporate HQ How public art can speak to people in uniquely powerful ways For anyone involved in delivering EDI policies, this episode will open your eyes to potential new ways of delivering progress. For anyone listening, this is a rewarding glimpse into the processes and inspirations of a top level artist. To find out more about, and see, Rebecca's work, click here To find more about Frank Water, click here Beneath The Surface Through powerful stories and real-life examples, Beneath The Surface highlights EDI topics in the water sector, sharing personal experiences and best practices that inspire change. It brings attention to the voices of under-represented groups, with a focus on attracting diverse talent and fostering a culture of inclusion. By connecting senior leaders and rising professionals from different backgrounds, it creates a space where ideas flourish, synergies are built, and the industry moves closer to becoming a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all. Beneath The Surface is co-hosted by British Water's CEO, Lila Thompson, and Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland. Podcast Co-host- Lila Thompson, British Water, CEO Lila is responsible for British Water’s strategic direction, representing the interests of UK water and wastewater supply chain companies together with wider stakeholders across the sector, through the UK, Technical and International forums. The Water Industry Forum provides challenge-led, independent thought leadership, to tackle the challenges facing the sector. Lila was formerly responsible for British Water’s international services and led business development visits to a range of markets including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, China, and India. Lila has over 20 years of experience driving business growth, policy development, and stakeholder engagement in a variety of sectors. Podcast Co-host- Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland With 18 years of HR experience spanning manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and now the water industry, Perminder has developed a deep understanding of business and strategy, and her journey has also highlighted the critical role of company culture and psychological safety in driving engagement, business success, innovation, and development. Perminder is passionate about ensuring the accessibility of clean water for all. A trip to India in her early years revealed the harsh reality of limited and unclean water resources, particularly impacting children, which was heartbreaking. This experience fuelled her dedication to helping others and reinforced her commitment to working in a global organisation focused on the social value of water.
