Inclusive Companies

Workshop: Levelling Up Your Staff Networks
2026-09-23 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | Online Workshop
Why This Workshop Matters
Staff networks are the heartbeat of an inclusive workplace. Whether you call them staff networks, employee resource groups, or community groups, their impact is undeniable; they drive culture change, amplify underrepresented voices, and strengthen employee engagement.
But leading a network isn’t simple. Many leaders balance full‑time roles, emotional labour, and the pressure to “get it right” for their communities. This workshop is designed to give them the tools, clarity, and confidence to thrive.
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What You’ll Gain
Throughout 2026, Inclusive Companies has been delivering workshops that equip network leaders with:

Coaching and facilitation skills

Confidence‑building techniques

Leadership development tools

Sustainable ways of working

This session brings those insights together to help you strengthen your network’s impact and your own leadership practice.

Who Should Attend
This workshop is ideal for:

Staff network and ERG leads

Committee members and volunteers

Inclusion champions

HR and EDI professionals supporting networks

Whether you’re newly stepping into a leadership role or looking to refresh your approach, this session will meet you where you are.

What to Expect
Across 90 minutes, participants will explore:

The evolving role of staff networks in 2026 and beyond

Practical strategies for sustainable leadership

Tools to support confidence, clarity, and community impact

Space to reflect, share, and learn with peers

Expect an energising, supportive, and practical session that centres on real-world challenges and actionable solutions.

Why Inclusive Companies
We believe in investing in the people who give their time to make a difference. Our workshops are designed to empower leaders, strengthen communities, and create workplaces where everyone can thrive.

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Holding Purpose When the World Pushes Back
2026-09-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Facilitated by Lisa Shoko.
Organisations are navigating a period of profound change. Political polarisation, anti-DEI backlash, economic uncertainty, workforce pressures, technological disruption, and increasing scrutiny of equity initiatives have created a challenging environment for those leading Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism (IDEA) work.
Traditional approaches to organisational change often assume stability and predictability. Yet many leaders and practitioners now find themselves operating in environments that are increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous, brittle, anxious, non-linear and at times incomprehensible.
This session explores how the concepts of VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) and BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-Linear and Incomprehensible) can help us understand the challenges facing IDEA work today.
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About the Facilitator
Lisa Shoko is a senior leader in anti-racism, equity and organisational change with extensive experience supporting healthcare organisations to address inequity through governance, leadership, workforce improvement and cultural transformation. As Anti-Racism Programme Lead at University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, she leads work to embed anti-racism across organisational systems, decision-making and accountability structures.
Lisa facilitates strategic discussions with boards, executive teams and system partners, helping organisations strengthen accountability, improve staff and patient outcomes, and deliver sustainable change. She is known for creating environments where people can engage honestly with complex issues while remaining focused on practical outcomes. Her approach combines strategic thinking, evidence, lived experience and a strong understanding of how organisations create and sustain change.
Alongside her NHS role, Lisa holds regional leadership responsibilities as Deputy Chair for the C&M EDI Network and the Chair of the Liverpool City Region Race Equality Panel and contributes to national conversations on race equity, leadership and system change, bringing a practical and evidence-informed perspective to improving outcomes for staff, patients and communities.
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Inclusive Companies Lunch & Round Table Discussion In partnership with Blake Morgan
2026-10-14 12:00 - 15:00
Connecting Inclusive Leaders in Wales
You’re warmly invited to join us for the Inclusive Companies Lunch & Round Table Discussion in Cardiff, hosted in partnership with Blake Morgan.
Wednesday 14th October, 12:00–15:00, Blake Morgan, One Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1FS.
As we gather the Inclusive Companies community in Wales, we’re excited to welcome both familiar faces and new organisations who are passionate about creating more inclusive workplaces. Whether you’re already leading inclusion initiatives or looking to learn from others, this discussion offers a valuable opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and build new relationships within the Welsh business community.
This interactive lunchtime discussion will provide a trusted space for senior leaders, HR professionals, DE&I practitioners and people leaders to share experiences, discuss emerging challenges, and explore practical solutions that are shaping the future of workplace inclusion.
Discussion Topics
Creating Cultures Where Everyone Can Thrive
Culture remains one of the biggest drivers of organisational success. We’ll explore the initiatives and programmes that are having a measurable impact on workplace culture, discussing what successful organisations are doing to create environments where everyone feels they belong. Blake Morgan will also share insights into their forthcoming culture programme and invite discussion around the approaches organisations are taking to embed inclusive cultures.
Using Data to Drive Meaningful Change
Data is increasingly central to developing effective inclusion strategies, but many organisations continue to face challenges around collection, analysis and action. Together we’ll discuss how organisations can improve the quality of their diversity data, measure progress more effectively, and use insights to drive meaningful organisational change.
An informal lunch will be provided by Blake Morgan, so please share any dietary or allergy requirements when registering.
Members receive one complimentary place at this session. Non-member fee is £45 + VAT.
Places are limited to 20 to encourage meaningful conversation, so we recommend registering early to secure your place: Contact info@inclusivecompanies.co.uk
If you would like to contribute ideas or themes to the discussion, we would greatly welcome your input ahead of the session.
We look forward to welcoming you.

Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Turning Good Intentions into Real Impact
2026-10-15 11:00 - 15:00 | Autotrader, No. 3, Circle Square , 3 Hawkshaw Street,, Manchester, M1 7BL
Thursday 15th October 11:00 – 15:00
Autotrader, No. 3, Circle Square, 3 Hawkshaw Street, Manchester M1 7BL
Join us for ‘Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Turning Good Intentions into Real Impact’ for an engaging and solutions-focused day as we explore how organisations can move beyond neurodiversity awareness and into meaningful, practical behaviour change.
This cross-industry event brings together inclusion leaders, practitioners and colleagues committed to creating workplaces where neurodivergent talent can thrive. Through keynote insights, lived-experience, and a hands-on interactive workshop, we’ll focus on what neurodiversity looks like in action, in meetings, in communication, in leadership and in the way we work together every day.
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What to Expect
Lived Experience Panel Discussion
A dynamic cross-sector panel exploring real-world challenges, successes and lessons learned when creating neuro-inclusive environments. Hear directly from neurodivergent colleagues as they share personal insights. Expect honest conversation, practical examples and opportunities for audience Q&A.
Interactive Workshop: Neurodiversity Practice in Action – Ways of Working
This practical session is designed to turn understanding into behaviour change.
Participants will:

Redesign meetings to be clearer, more structured and inclusive

Rethink feedback loops to support different communication styles

Review workflows to increase predictability and reduce cognitive overload

Identify quick wins that can be implemented immediately

Why Attend?
Neurodiversity inclusion is not just about awareness sessions or policy updates. It’s about making everyday working practices clearer, fairer and more accessible for everyone. This event is designed to equip you with tangible tools, peer insight and actionable commitments.
We look forward to welcoming you to a day of learning, collaboration and progress.
Agenda:
11.00 – 11.25
Delegate Arrival & Registration
11.25 – 11.35
Host welcome
Helen Robinson | Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement Manger | AutoTrader
Paul Sesay, Award winning Equity & Inclusion Leader, Founder & CEO & Lucian Main, DEI Partnership Executive | Inclusive Companies
11.35 – 11.45
Dr Tony Lloyd FRSA
Internationally renowned speaker, consultant, campaigner, Psychotherapist & Neurodiversity Specialist
11.45 – 12.45
Lived Experience Panel: Chaired by Paul Sesay
Lucian Main | Trans+ Changemaker 2026, Employee Resource Group Specialist, ADHD Coach
Parul Singh | Founder of Parallel Minds Neurodiversity Consultancy
Tim Platt | Video Production Lead, AutoTrader
Dr Tony Lloyd FRSA | Europe’s no.1 ADHD Doctor
12.45 – 13.30
Lunch
13.30 – 14.45
Workshop: Neurodiversity Practice in Action (Ways of working) – facilitated by Autimatic
14.45 – 15.00
Post event networking and close

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Supporting neurodivergent people in the workplace using the ecosystemic model
2026-10-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Facilitated by David Gray-Hammond
This webinar will explore the workspace for Autistic people through an ecological lens highlighting key points within the ecosystem that could present issues for access to the workspace an Autistic person. By doing this we will be able to explore how one might make the workspace a more accessible environment where an Autistic person can engage without trying to contain themselves to a neuronormative style of working.
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About the facilitator
David Gray-Hammond is the founder and CEO of NeuroHub Community, a social enterprise that works to build peer support sommunities and provide research and consultation to organisations, NHS, and local authorities. David is a published researcher and author, and was a finalist for the Positive Role Model for Disability in the national diversity awards 2025, and was awarded a place on the Diversity Power List for 2025/26. David has been working in and around the neurodiversity movement for the past decade, and was described by Dr Nick Walker, one of the pioneers of the neurodiversity movement, as “one of the the most forward thinking individuals of the new generation of neurodiversity thinkers”.
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Trauma Informed Leadership
2026-11-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Facilitated by Jessica Shields & Katie Hitchinson.
Managers have a powerful influence on the experience people have at work. Research from the UKG Workforce Institute found that 69% of employees say their manager has as much impact on their mental health as their spouse or partner. This highlights how important everyday leadership interactions can be.
This webinar explores the role empathy plays in trauma-informed leadership, and how a better understanding of stress and behaviour can help leaders respond more thoughtfully during challenging or high pressure moments at work, both with their teams and with themselves. The session aims to share practical ideas that leaders can reflect on and apply in their roles.
What to expect:

How to support your team with empathy during high stress times
Ways to improve communication and connection with your team
A simple, practical tool to better understand stress and behaviour at work
Space to reflect on how you look after yourself as a leader
Q&A at the end

Managers and leaders who are curious about developing a more empathetic and supportive leadership approach are warmly invited to attend.

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About the facilitators
Katie Hitchinson
Katie Hitchinson is a qualified integrative psychotherapist and former lecturer who works with children, young people and adults. She takes a trauma-informed, relational approach, helping people understand how stress and lived experience shape behaviour while supporting psychologically safe, compassionate environments. Alongside her psychotherapy work, she offers workplace training on supporting pregnancy and infant loss and infertility in the workplace.
With Katie’s knowledge of trauma-informed approaches and Jess’s experience of supporting leaders practically through coaching, they work together with organisations to support their leaders in developing empathy and trauma-informed approaches to instil a vital human element to their leadership capability.
Jessica Shields
Jess is an Executive Coach with 11+ years of experience working with leaders across a number of organisations including NHS, Prison & Probation Services, charities, manufacturing and engineering sector. Alongside coaching, Jess is a Mental Health First Aid instructor (MHFA England) supporting businesses to achieve their staff wellbeing strategies through effective training.

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Inclusive Awards 2026
2026-11-12 18:00 - 23:30 | Hilton Liverpool, 3 Thomas Steers Way, Liverpool, L1 8LW
On November 12th, a collection of the nation’s most inclusive organisations & diversity influencers will gather to honour those that lead in diversity, inclusion and fairness in all aspects of diversity.
BOOK YOUR PLACE

What Are The Awards All About?

The Inclusive Awards is the only awards ceremony that rewards organisations for harnessing a truly diverse workforce, thus recognising the significant efforts of organisations nationwide that excel in their commitment to equality and inclusion across all strands of diversity.
The Inclusive Awards will cover excellence in all areas of diversity including age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race and religion, as well as highlighting diverse employers and employees across a wide variety of sectors including housing, public, private, charity and education.

BOOK YOUR PLACE
