OUR JUDGING PANEL FOR 2012
Mark Palmer-Edgecumbe - Head of judges
Mark is the Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Google for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Prior to joining Google in 2010 Mark was the Chief Executive of Ari Diversity Consulting, a global D&I consulting practice.
From 2004 to 2009 Mark was the Global Head of Diversity at Barclays Group.
Mark is one of the world’s leading experts on diversity and inclusion and writes extensively on the subject including a D&I blog for The Guardian Online in the UK.
Mark has a broad background in HR having held the roles of HR Director in South Africa, Head of Group Reward at Barclays, as well as HR consulting roles at Arthur Andersen and EY.
Mark began his career in the City as an economist and subsequently held a number of analytical roles including Head of Industry Analysis at NatWest Group and Credit Ratings Analyst at NatWest Markets.
Mark holds a BA(hons) Business Studies and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Mark is a Governor of the Museum of London and a Trustee of Care Trade Charitable Trading Company. Mark was the chairman of the Museum in Docklands from 2006-2008
Prior to joining Google in 2010 Mark was the Chief Executive of Ari Diversity Consulting, a global D&I consulting practice.
From 2004 to 2009 Mark was the Global Head of Diversity at Barclays Group.
Mark is one of the world’s leading experts on diversity and inclusion and writes extensively on the subject including a D&I blog for The Guardian Online in the UK.
Mark has a broad background in HR having held the roles of HR Director in South Africa, Head of Group Reward at Barclays, as well as HR consulting roles at Arthur Andersen and EY.
Mark began his career in the City as an economist and subsequently held a number of analytical roles including Head of Industry Analysis at NatWest Group and Credit Ratings Analyst at NatWest Markets.
Mark holds a BA(hons) Business Studies and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Mark is a Governor of the Museum of London and a Trustee of Care Trade Charitable Trading Company. Mark was the chairman of the Museum in Docklands from 2006-2008
Todd Corley
Senior Vice President/Diversity & Inclusion – Abercrombie & Fitch
Todd Corley is an accomplished executive with more than 15 years of experience in change management, organizational behavior, business development and financial analysis.
In November 2004, Todd joined Abercrombie & Fitch as their first-ever corporate officer in charge of diversity and inclusion – globally. In his role, he reports directly to the Chairman & CEO. He is a member of a core team that has oversight for the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative and is a liaison to the A&F board of directors’ CSR committee. Under his leadership, the percentage of U.S. in-store managers and in-store models have become more racially and ethnically diverse than the U.S. population.
"Todd joined the company during a period of great expansion and immediately became the focal point for existing diversity initiatives and an innovator of valuable new ideas" - Michael S. Jeffries, Chairman & CEO
Throughout his career, he has created and executed innovative practices in the areas of: human capital management, diversity strategy, training and education, change management, talent acquisition and retention for numerous organizations, including: Toys R Us, American Express, The New York Stock Exchange, UBS PaineWebber, JPMorgan Chase, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Kraft Foods and Starwood Hotels.
Todd is the co-founding member of the United States’ first-ever Diversity Management concentration housed at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies and is a regular guest lecturer at the university.
Since 2007, he has been a fixture on the list of the “Top 100 African-Americans in Corporate America” by SAVOY magazine, was named to EBONY magazine’s “30 Leaders under 30” list and
The Network Journals “40 Leaders under 40” listing.
He is also a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the premier leadership organization comprised of the most senior African-American corporate executives in Fortune 500 companies. The ELC represents those in positions one to three steps from chief executive officers of Fortune 500 companies, CEOs themselves and entrepreneurs.
In addition to being a contributing writer for publications, like Diversity Executive magazine, he continues to participate in diversity forums and conferences hosted in cities around the world – e.g., Atlanta, Boston, London, Madrid, New York, San Francisco and Toronto. To compliment, A&F’s international expansion strategy, he led a discussion on the business imperative behind diversity, equality and inclusion at Queen Mary, University of London in front of a standing room-only crowd assembled on campus.
Mr. Corley received his MBA from Georgetown University and is married to Dr. G. Penelope Fleming and they have two children, Olivia & Austin.
Todd Corley is an accomplished executive with more than 15 years of experience in change management, organizational behavior, business development and financial analysis.
In November 2004, Todd joined Abercrombie & Fitch as their first-ever corporate officer in charge of diversity and inclusion – globally. In his role, he reports directly to the Chairman & CEO. He is a member of a core team that has oversight for the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative and is a liaison to the A&F board of directors’ CSR committee. Under his leadership, the percentage of U.S. in-store managers and in-store models have become more racially and ethnically diverse than the U.S. population.
"Todd joined the company during a period of great expansion and immediately became the focal point for existing diversity initiatives and an innovator of valuable new ideas" - Michael S. Jeffries, Chairman & CEO
Throughout his career, he has created and executed innovative practices in the areas of: human capital management, diversity strategy, training and education, change management, talent acquisition and retention for numerous organizations, including: Toys R Us, American Express, The New York Stock Exchange, UBS PaineWebber, JPMorgan Chase, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Kraft Foods and Starwood Hotels.
Todd is the co-founding member of the United States’ first-ever Diversity Management concentration housed at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies and is a regular guest lecturer at the university.
Since 2007, he has been a fixture on the list of the “Top 100 African-Americans in Corporate America” by SAVOY magazine, was named to EBONY magazine’s “30 Leaders under 30” list and
The Network Journals “40 Leaders under 40” listing.
He is also a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the premier leadership organization comprised of the most senior African-American corporate executives in Fortune 500 companies. The ELC represents those in positions one to three steps from chief executive officers of Fortune 500 companies, CEOs themselves and entrepreneurs.
In addition to being a contributing writer for publications, like Diversity Executive magazine, he continues to participate in diversity forums and conferences hosted in cities around the world – e.g., Atlanta, Boston, London, Madrid, New York, San Francisco and Toronto. To compliment, A&F’s international expansion strategy, he led a discussion on the business imperative behind diversity, equality and inclusion at Queen Mary, University of London in front of a standing room-only crowd assembled on campus.
Mr. Corley received his MBA from Georgetown University and is married to Dr. G. Penelope Fleming and they have two children, Olivia & Austin.
Michael Cashman
Michael Cashman, Member of the European Parliament
Currently in his third mandate, Michael was first elected in 1999. He is the Labour Spokesperson on Development in Parliament, and sits on the Committees for Development, Petitions, and Civil Liberties. Michael is also Co-President of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights.
Previously an actor and playwright, Michael founded and chaired Stonewall in 1989. An active member of the Labour Party since 1975, he helped to establish a key campaigning unit and took a high profile across most elections. He is Vice-chair of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party.
Currently in his third mandate, Michael was first elected in 1999. He is the Labour Spokesperson on Development in Parliament, and sits on the Committees for Development, Petitions, and Civil Liberties. Michael is also Co-President of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights.
Previously an actor and playwright, Michael founded and chaired Stonewall in 1989. An active member of the Labour Party since 1975, he helped to establish a key campaigning unit and took a high profile across most elections. He is Vice-chair of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party.
Barbara Lindsay
Barbara Lindsay, MBE, MSc HRM, MCIPD, FRSA
Barbara was a founder and former Acting Chair of the Civil Service Race Equality Network (CSREN). Its aim is to influence and advise upon policy and practice race equality within the Civil Service. Under her headship CSREN advised and offered support for other public sector departments setting up and strengthening their own networks, as well as becoming the umbrella organisation for equality and diversity issues across the civil services. This included establishing partnerships with private and public sector BAME networks e.g. Lloyds TSB, BBC, BT, as well as international links with eg Trevor Wilson (TWI inc. in Canada). CSREN secured financial support for its activities which included its annual lectures. Barbara was also able to influence the decision in Sir Richard Wilson (former Head of the Home Civil Service) writing to all civil service Permanent Secretaries requesting staff be allowed to attend departmental staff network meetings regularly.
Barbara is a leading HR professional specialising in race equality and diversity. Her career has included postings in the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, the former Department of Trade and Industry (now BIS); and more recently the Government Equalities Office. Whilst working in HM Treasury, she was a member of the team that advised members of the ANC (African National Congress) on Personnel Management policy prior to their coming to power.
Barbara was the winner of the EDA Campaigner of the Year for 2011 and has come on board as part of our judging panel for 2012.
Barbara was a founder and former Acting Chair of the Civil Service Race Equality Network (CSREN). Its aim is to influence and advise upon policy and practice race equality within the Civil Service. Under her headship CSREN advised and offered support for other public sector departments setting up and strengthening their own networks, as well as becoming the umbrella organisation for equality and diversity issues across the civil services. This included establishing partnerships with private and public sector BAME networks e.g. Lloyds TSB, BBC, BT, as well as international links with eg Trevor Wilson (TWI inc. in Canada). CSREN secured financial support for its activities which included its annual lectures. Barbara was also able to influence the decision in Sir Richard Wilson (former Head of the Home Civil Service) writing to all civil service Permanent Secretaries requesting staff be allowed to attend departmental staff network meetings regularly.
Barbara is a leading HR professional specialising in race equality and diversity. Her career has included postings in the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, the former Department of Trade and Industry (now BIS); and more recently the Government Equalities Office. Whilst working in HM Treasury, she was a member of the team that advised members of the ANC (African National Congress) on Personnel Management policy prior to their coming to power.
Barbara was the winner of the EDA Campaigner of the Year for 2011 and has come on board as part of our judging panel for 2012.
Yasir Mirza
Yasir Mirza is head of diversity & inclusion for Guardian News and Media.
Yasir has overall responsibility for ensuring that diversity and inclusion is embedded across all departments, and that as an organisation Guardian News and Media meet the diversity objectives outlined by the Guardian News and Media board in March 2009.
These objectives are as follows:
Yasir has overall responsibility for ensuring that diversity and inclusion is embedded across all departments, and that as an organisation Guardian News and Media meet the diversity objectives outlined by the Guardian News and Media board in March 2009.
These objectives are as follows:
- Increase the Diversity of our UK users
- Strengthen our ability to create distinctive output and business services through Diversity
- Increase the Diversity of the workforce including the Board and Head’s of Departments
- Build Diversity measures into performance management
- Improve the culture of the organisation to be more inclusive
Tab Ahmad
Tab Ahmad is the founder and managing director of EmployAbility. Set up in 2006, EmployAbility works with disabled students and graduates, to ease the transition from education to employment; and with employers, to help them become more disability inclusive.
Through its work, and Tab and her team’s passion and dedication, EmployAbility continues, year on year, to increase the number of disabled students obtaining internships and graduate roles with leading global employers. In the last year alone, EmployAbility has helped and advised over 500 disabled students and graduates.
EmployAbility partners with top global recruiters such as Google, Cisco, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, the FSA, Herbert Smith, Dow Chemical, Bank of America, Bloomberg and many others, to not only provide strategic and practical disability and employment related advice, but to run initiatives that generate real and measurable results of increasing the number of disabled people being employed and retained by these organisations. EmployAbility has also built a wide and deep network of relationships with UK and European universities, other disability organisations and many other key stakeholders, with whom they partner regularly to promote disability and equality in the workplace.
Previously, Tab founded and ran a search firm specialising in financial services and investment banking. With over twenty years of experience in recruitment and selection, and ten years spent specialising in disability and employment, Tab's experience and expertise in this area remains unparalleled. She is an accomplished and highly effective Disability, Equality and Inclusion trainer, and speaker.
Tab graduated with a BA (Joint Honours) in Accounting and Economics, starting off her earlier career training as a Chartered Accountant with BDO Stoy Hayward. Tab has also trained, qualified and worked as a volunteer mentor for young people at risk of offending in Camden.
Whilst London has always been her home, Tab has lived, studied and worked in the US, France, Iran, Libya and India. She is fluent in Urdu/ Hindi.
Through its work, and Tab and her team’s passion and dedication, EmployAbility continues, year on year, to increase the number of disabled students obtaining internships and graduate roles with leading global employers. In the last year alone, EmployAbility has helped and advised over 500 disabled students and graduates.
EmployAbility partners with top global recruiters such as Google, Cisco, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, the FSA, Herbert Smith, Dow Chemical, Bank of America, Bloomberg and many others, to not only provide strategic and practical disability and employment related advice, but to run initiatives that generate real and measurable results of increasing the number of disabled people being employed and retained by these organisations. EmployAbility has also built a wide and deep network of relationships with UK and European universities, other disability organisations and many other key stakeholders, with whom they partner regularly to promote disability and equality in the workplace.
Previously, Tab founded and ran a search firm specialising in financial services and investment banking. With over twenty years of experience in recruitment and selection, and ten years spent specialising in disability and employment, Tab's experience and expertise in this area remains unparalleled. She is an accomplished and highly effective Disability, Equality and Inclusion trainer, and speaker.
Tab graduated with a BA (Joint Honours) in Accounting and Economics, starting off her earlier career training as a Chartered Accountant with BDO Stoy Hayward. Tab has also trained, qualified and worked as a volunteer mentor for young people at risk of offending in Camden.
Whilst London has always been her home, Tab has lived, studied and worked in the US, France, Iran, Libya and India. She is fluent in Urdu/ Hindi.
Rob Berkeley
Rob has been director of Runnymede, the UK's leading race equality think-tank since January 2009. Before this he was deputy director of Runnymede between 2005 and 2009.
His doctoral studies focused on exclusions from school. A former trustee of Stonewall, Rob is chair of governors at a south London primary school, chair of Naz Project London (which provides sexual health and HIV prevention and support services to various minority ethnic communities), and a trustee of the Equality and Diversity Forum. Rob has been a senior adviser to the British Council and a member of the Commission on 2020 Public Services.
His doctoral studies focused on exclusions from school. A former trustee of Stonewall, Rob is chair of governors at a south London primary school, chair of Naz Project London (which provides sexual health and HIV prevention and support services to various minority ethnic communities), and a trustee of the Equality and Diversity Forum. Rob has been a senior adviser to the British Council and a member of the Commission on 2020 Public Services.
