Our Inclusion Steering Group play a key role in helping bring all of the above to life by helping to shape our strategy and representing the views of different colleagues across the business. Meet the members below.
Simon Palethorpe
Simon Palethorpe
As Chair of the Belonging and Inclusion steering group and Executive sponsor of Spectrum and Athena, Carnival UK’s employee-led networks, I am privileged to work with some very committed individuals from across the business to build a culture where we all feel able to bring our whole selves to work.
Regardless of our differences, everyone has the right to the same opportunities in life. I’m proud to challenge and to support Carnival UK to offer these opportunities to every single one of my colleagues.
Hannah Maun
Hannah Maun
I fundamentally believe in compassion, kindness and fairness, and the fact that I am able to contribute to these values at CUK and the Belonging & Inclusion Steer Co means an awful lot to me, both as an employee and as a human. I hope to bring a diplomatic and even minded approach to the conversation whilst also advocating for those who may not have a voice.
Hannah Leach
Hannah Leach
With accountability for the development of our culture and the employee experience across Carnival UK, it’ll be no surprise that I’m on the Inclusion Steering Group. It’s my job! The reason though that I’ve ended up doing this for a career is born out of a core belief that everyone has something to contribute and value to bring, and that the circumstances we’re born into or the attributes we’re born with, should never stand in the way of our aspirations. We spend so much time at work – it really important to me that it’s time that’s both enjoyable and rewarding.
Eithne Williamson
Eithne Williamson
I believe we are better together, and that strength, longevity and future proofing comes from diverse thinking and experiences. I’m really keen to help create an environment where individuals belong and bring their independent thought and analysis to bear.
Being Irish living in the UK through the troubles (and now through Brexit) I have experienced mistrust and stereotyping that at times is light hearted but at times serious and leverage this experience to empathise and understand others experiences. As CEO of CSSI I’ve had really interesting discussions about what Belonging and Inclusion means for our colleagues in Mumbai and can bring this alternative perspective to the group.
Berit Rodwell
Berit Rodwell
Having lived and worked in various countries with different cultures & religions I have experienced first hand what it can feel like to be different and how hard and frustrating it can be to try and fit in. By embracing diversity and allowing everyone to be themselves, we can encourage others to share their viewpoints, expertise, techniques and abilities. I believe we can all learn a lot from each other and I am proud and happy to be able to contribute my passion and perspective as part of the diversity and inclusion steerco to help make CUK a more inclusive place. I love this quote I found recently: “DIFFERENCE IS THE ONLY THING WE HAVE IN COMMON” – no matter how big or small our differences are, they are what make us invaluable for our community.
Kate Johnston
Kate Johnston
I’m a mum and I want my daughter to grow up in a world where no one is judged on what they look like or who they love. Everyone has the right to belong. I also have close friends who are part of the LGBT+ community which means I’m passionate about inclusivity and equality – we should be able to be our whole self all of the time. That’s why I’ve joined Spectrum, Carnival UK’s LGBT+ & Friends employee-led network, as co-lead, and that’s why I’m part of the Inclusion Steering Group.
Baiba Ziga
Baiba Ziga
My interest and passion for D&I came after reading Sheryl Sandberg’s book ‘Lean In’ about 5 years ago, which was very eye opening and inspiring about a female’s journey in a very much of a ‘man’s world’. Since I have been actively taking part in various initiatives and charities to talk about these important subjects. As part of the Shore Resourcing team, I am responsible for ensuring we attract and hire the best talent in the market. However this cannot happen in isolation and has to go hand in hand with our D&I policy and Belonging aspirations, and I am proud that I can have my voice in these conversations.
Rosy Sims
Rosy Sims
I feel strongly about how important it is that our business is one where people are not judged based on factors outside of their control but rather on their ability, behaviours and how they represent our company values. I want to channel the passion that I have for this subject to champion positive change and ensure that everyone feels that they have a voice.
Nilofer Hasham
Nilofer Hasham
People have multiple dimensions and we don’t all neatly fit into one box/type – I certainly don’t. I believe we should feel comfortable and secure at work where we spend so much of our lives. Inclusion will help shape an environment where we all have opportunities to be ourselves, to grow, to achieve our goals whatever they may be. I want to use my skills and experiences to help create that belonging space for everyone.
Megan Roach
Megan Roach
I have an interest in inclusion at Carnival UK because like many people I absolutely believe everyone should have opportunity and should feel as though they belong. However, I also acknowledge that the reasons why someone may not achieve this are complex and if we are honest about making a difference we need to understand these reasons. It may linked to background, social mobility, perceptions good and bad, confidence and sense of self, culture, environment and a host of other reasons.
I’m gay, foreign, work in a male dominated industry, have well defined feminist values and am occasionally outspoken (not necessarily in that order!) and I believe that all of this helps me bring a different perspective and honest discussion to the group. I also have a keen interest in how data is collected, classified and analysed to help understand and shape our world, which ultimately will help us further inclusion. I also know that people feeling they belong, is good for them, good for us and is good for Carnival.
Matt Gleaves
Matt Gleaves
As much as it’s hard to believe this white (accurate), middle aged (bit of a stretch hopefully) gentleman’s (blatant falsehood) first role put him in a position of being the odd one out. In fact at Estee Lauder I was the only member of my immediate team who was Male and one of only three men working on the brand Jo Malone (a team of over 50). Did I feel left out, marginalised or ignored? Not at all. This was due to how welcome my leaders made me feel , the effort they went to to include me and their ability to make me feel valued and that I belonged in the team.
I see these values in spades at Carnival House, but recognise there is always more all of us can do can do to improve (myself included). This is why I wanted to be a part of the group, to help shape the journey, improve our already good culture and do my own bit to help people be themselves and feel rewarded at their workplace.
If ever you’d like to discuss the subject matter please do stop me in the atrium, corridors or at my desk. I’m fascinated to hear peoples views on the subject and where you all feel we as a business should be headed.
Howard Towl
Howard Towl
Sharing my career experiences, good and bad, I would like to help create an inclusive workplace where everyone feels appreciated and that they belong.
Jatin Chandwani
Jatin Chandwani
I grew up in India, have lived in different states within India with diverse cultural beliefs and have also worked in different countries. Diversity and inclusion awareness has made me reflect on my experiences with people and circumstances. I believe accepting who you are and being accepted as you are puts your mind at ease. It then allows you to realise your true potential, spread happiness and deliver real value to what you do. I want to do my bit to help people achieve that.
Alyson Ottley
Alyson Ottley
As someone who experienced a disability for several years, albeit a temporary one, I appreciate how challenging it can be for people living with a disability to do things others take for granted. I would like everyone who works at Carnival House to have an understanding of how challenging a workplace can be for people with disabilities and to remember that some disabilities are invisible. I’m extremely excited about joining the steering committee and feel honoured to have been asked. After a tough few years dealing with two big and quite scary orthopedic surgeries (nurses always make the worst patients!) I’m excited about 2020 and being able to play my part with the committee.
Like some of the other members of the committee and many others throughout the business, I’m also a foreigner which at times comes with its own challenges. If I had a dollar, sorry, a pound, for every time someone said “yeah, she’s Australian”, well I would still need to come to work but you get the idea!