IT50 2023/24 Judges

She offers client support in all things EDI to set clear responsibilities for strategy and programme development, challenging organisations to change and grow. Her approach is to stop focussing on culture ‘fit’ and start focusing on culture ‘add’ eradicating unhealthy monocultures in workplaces. She’s passionate about all strands of diversity and has recently been part of the judging panel for the ‘UK Top 50 Inclusive Employers’ 2021 & 2022, the ‘Inclusive Awards’ 2022 & 2023 and the ‘RAD awards’ 2023.

As well as all the four nations of the United Kingdom, his work has taken him across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, America, and Australasia.  He was the winner of the Diversity Champion (Education Sector) award in 2015 and received the ‘Highly Commended Head of Diversity and Inclusion’ award at the 2016 and 2017 Inclusive Company Awards. He was also a top 3 finalist at the 2011 Race for Opportunity awards for the design and development of his highly successful ‘Aspire~’ Positive Action Programme. He was the original creator of the Civil Service Learning’s Positive Action Programme, Positive Action Pathway, which witnessed some 30% of staff achieving career related moves because of attendance on the programme.

In his spare time Jiten has been involved a variety of charitable work; he is a past Chair of ‘Working Families’ a charity specialising in assisting people and employers to implement effective agile working to facilitate work-life-family commitments. Since 2002, Jiten has been a trustee of several charities including ‘MK SNAP’ (a charity specialising in the needs of post 16 learners with learning disabilities) and the LPSOL (focusing on supporting people from South Gujarat who have settled in the UK).  He is currently a director at Cricket East, one of the regional boards sitting under the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Jiten’s first book, Demystifying Diversity (co-authored by Gamiel Yafai), was first published in 2016, with the second edition coming out in 2020.  He is currently working on a third edition alongside two more books.

Sandra is a multi-award-winning leadership and management consultant, who brings more than thirty years of experience and knowledge spanning a wide range of sectors.

Her award-winning expertise includes Leadership, Management, People development, Organisational Change, DE&I and Membership growth.

Sandra currently holds a number of NED roles and has Chaired various regional and national organisations.  Her work on equality has seen her speak at the EU Committee on issues of flexible working, equality in the workplace and the benefits of getting women back into work.  She has conducted many local, regional, and national business growth and other projects across England, Scotland, and Wales, and in particular working to engage with underrepresented groups in the workplace and the community.

Sandra has worked with senior teams in a number of sectors including Banking, Human Resources, Transport, Manufacturing, Engineering, Police, Social Care, Higher Education, NHS, Membership, and the Voluntary sector.

In addition to Executive Coaching at senior level, her experience and skills incorporate discussion forums, facilitation, training, and development of programmes for Universities, Higher and Further education organisations as well as bespoke programmes for blue-chip companies.

Her business acumen has earned her numerous awards in recognition of her professional, community and business development contribution nationally.

She attained the status of Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Chartered Manager (CMgr), Fellow of the Institute of Consulting, having headed up this organisation for several years. Additional qualifications include 7407 & 7403 City & Guilds, Certificate Personnel Development CIPD, Level 7 & 5 Diplomas in Management, and a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Leicester.

Sandra was recently listed in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List 2021 when she was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Equality.

Sandra is an international speaker, author, and equality activist working with senior leaders to recognise and incorporate the benefits of difference and creating equality within organisations.

In 2009, following the 7/7 terrorist attacks, Rozila joined the Counter Terrorism Branch in Lancashire.  Her work in this area received national recognition and as a result she successfully achieved a secondment to the Association of Chief Police Officers in London for a period of 5 years.  During this time, Rozila was responsible for the strategic delivery of counter terrorism projects for police forces across UK and Europe.

Upon her return to Lancashire Constabulary in 2016 from London, Rozila joined the Futures Team to deliver structured, innovative change.  She has now been appointed as the Diversity and Inclusion Manager for the force.  Rozila also has an additional role as Public Relations/Media Lead for the National Black Police Association and is the national tactical lead for Black, Asian, Afro-Caribbean and minority ethnic Women in Policing.

Rozila has spoken numerous times on complex policing issues involving BAME communities at various international conferences and events across Canada, The Maldives, America and Europe.

During her time with the police, Rozila has received various commendations and awards including Justice Awards from Lancashire Criminal Justice Board for outstanding contribution to delivery of justice in Lancashire.  In 2009, she received an award from Lancashire Constabulary for outstanding delivery of policing.  In 2011 during her time in London, Rozila received an award for promoting social cohesion from the National Association of Muslim Police Officers.  In 2012, she received a commemorative medal from 10 Downing Street for helping to deliver a safe and secure Olympics 2012.  In September 2020, she received a Divisional Commanders commendation for her work towards inclusion and diversity.