VBF – The benefits of good DEI in the workplace – Aug 17, 2023

As a representative of SureWerx, on 17 August 2023, Amanda Dawes will lead a session with three overall aims. First, she will outline what good DEI is, and outline current issues relevant to DEI in corporate settings. This section offer insight into key considerations small-to-medium sized businesses should explore, and outline areas of potential challenge. Second, she will highlight the financial and organisational benefits of implementing good DEI practice, as well as the risks of not engaging in DEI, with cross-industry case studies used to examine potential outcomes in greater depth. Finally, she will explore how good DEI practice is inextricably linked to good Health and Safety outcomes, both historically and with reference to today’s changing understanding of Health & Safety at work. This session will provide high-level strategic information relevant to the individuals and industries represented in the room and will finish with time for a Q&A; Amanda will be available following the session should you wish to explore any topics discussed from a more detailed, operational perspective.

All members and guests are invited to attend this FREE session.

Guest Speaker:

Amanda Dawes, Director

Amanda Dawes Consultancy

Bio:
Amanda Dawes is a Health & Equalities Consultant with special interest in Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) across corporate and healthcare policy and practice. Amanda has over 20 years’ experience working with disadvantaged populations, and applying the principles of good DEI across multiple settings including healthcare, the corporate sector, local government, academia and research, and the third sector. Her main areas of expertise centre around developing sustainable policies and practices, supporting industry training and capacity building, and delivering evidence-based education and services.

Currently living in Portugal, Amanda was born in Canada and lived in the United Kingdom for 15 years. She has thus gained expertise and insight into best practice across North America, the United Kingdom, and continental Europe, and has worked with a broad range of minority groups including women, vulnerable young people, people living with HIV, people living with mental health illness, people living in poverty, Roma and Traveller communities, people of colour (particularly those of Black African and South-East Asian descent), people who are homeless or poorly housed, Latinos, Indigenous Peoples, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Amanda is currently working as a freelance consultant, delivering a mix of health-focused policy and service development, and DEI policy, training, and change management for small-to-mid-sized corporations.