Series 4, Episode 12: Our Founders: Reflecting on 30 years in DE&I with Femi Otitoju and Jane Farrell

03/09/22 • 35 min

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reWorked: the Workplace Inclusion Podcast

Nicole Benton, EW Group Sales Executive, speaks to Femi Otitoju, founder of Challenge Consultancy, and Jane Farrell, co-founder of EW Group, about their journeys into the DE&I industry.

Sharing their personal stories and how they bring their experiences and social identities into their work, Femi and Jane discuss what has changed in diversity and inclusion approaches and legislation during their time in the industry.

From the questionable cars in their early careers, to riding a fire engine through Pride and working with Mercedes-AMG F1, they reflect on their proudest moments and the exciting times ahead with the coming together of the two organisations, positioning them as the leading EDI consultancy in the UK with over 65 years’ combined expertise.
Follow EW Group on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest news and thinking in diversity and inclusion.

EW Group has worked with organisations to build more diverse and inclusive cultures for almost thirty years. Get in touch to explore how we can work with you to build safe and inclusive environments at work.

Nicole Benton, EW Group Sales Executive, speaks to Femi Otitoju, founder of Challenge Consultancy, and Jane Farrell, co-founder of EW Group, about their journeys into the DE&I industry.

Previous Episode

Series 4, Episode 11: Authentic Communications for LGBT+ History Month & Pride

In this latest episode of our reWorked podcast, Polly Shute and Tash Thomas, EW Group Diversity & Inclusion Consultants, discuss how organisations can create authentic communications to acknowledge LGBT+ History Month in February in the UK and Pride in June.
With 2022 marking its 50th year, Tash and Polly share insights into the history of Pride as a protest, how it has evolved over the years and explore how brands can meaningfully support the LGBT+ community and Pride all year round.
Polly said: "It is important organisations remember Pride is an emotional brand and make sure they understand the history of Pride and what it actually means before creating an internal or external campaign. Discuss with your ERG networks, colleagues, communities and charities to engage with it effectively and make a positive contribution to your employees and clients."
Tash commented: “One of the challenges is some companies may not even be aware of what their staff demographics are – Out Now’s research in 2020 found only 45% of LGBT+ people in the UK feel able to be out to everyone at work. Just because they might not be visibly out and proud, doesn’t mean they don’t exist in the organisation.”
You can also download our factsheet with 10 top tips on how brands can meaningfully engage with Pride.
Follow EW Group on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest news and thinking in diversity and inclusion.

Next Episode

Series 4, Episode 14: Social mobility - From education, to recruitment and the workplace

In this episode of the reWorked podcast, Karen Fonseka, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, talks to Edmund Newell, Principal and Chief Executive at Cumberland Lodge, about social mobility. Edmund is an economic historian and priest in the Church of England, he was previously a Research Fellow at Nuffield College in Oxford, Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral in London, where he was the founding Director of the St Paul’s Institute, and Sub-Dean of Christ Church, Oxford.

Sharing their personal stories, Edmund and Karen discuss social mobility in education, through to recruitment and the workplace. They explore some of the obstacles facing individuals and how organisations can help support and make their roles more accessible and workplaces more inclusive. They also discuss the need to improve accessibility to the workplace through apprenticeship schemes and mentor programmes which focus on developing practical skills needed in the workplace.
Edmund also shares an overview of the work Cumberland Lodge does to empower and help people overcome social division. Cumberland Lodge is a charity and educational foundation with a mission to empower people, and tackle the causes and effects of social division, with a particular focus on nurturing young talent.

Follow Cumberland Lodge on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Follow EW Group on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest news and thinking in diversity and inclusion.

EW Group and Challenge Consultancy have worked with organisations to build more diverse and inclusive cultures for over 30 years. Get in touch to explore how we can work with you to build safe and inclusive environments at work.

reWorked: the Workplace Inclusion Podcast - Series 4, Episode 12: Our Founders: Reflecting on 30 years in DE&I with Femi Otitoju and Jane Farrell

Transcript

Nicole: Today we have an extremely exciting episode of the podcast for you. For those who haven't already heard our parent company eQS has acquired Challenge Consultancy, and we're currently in the process of merging both organisations. Between us, we have over 65 years’ combined experience in delivering DEI initiatives, and have trained over 1.5 million people worldwide, in over 75 countries, making us the UK and Europe's leading EDI consultancy. Today we are joined by Femi