Beneath The Surface

Oliver Nkosi is Head of Organisational Design and Learning & Development at Salix. With a track record in - and passion for - leading and delivering progress in workplace culture at a number of organisations in his career... Oliver shares his expertise on important issues such as:

• the crucial role a CEO has in defining culture
• what happens when culture is good... and what happens when it is bad
• why a vital part of making progress on culture is listening before acting
• his recommended first 3 steps for any leader wanting to transform culture
• how to maintain positive progress even when inevitable changes happen
• why prioritising progress on EDI could be the most powerful culture-positive action an organisation can take
• specific challenges the UK water sector faces and how that is affecting recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce

This episode is a must-listen for anyone wanting to encourage, maintain or start to build a positive workplace culture

Beneath The Surface

Through powerful stories and real-life examples, Beneath The Surface highlights EDI topics in the water sector, sharing personal experiences and best practices that inspire change. It brings attention to the voices of under-represented groups, with a focus on attracting diverse talent and fostering a culture of inclusion.

By connecting senior leaders and rising professionals from different backgrounds, it creates a space where ideas flourish, synergies are built, and the industry moves closer to becoming a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Beneath The Surface is co-hosted by British Water's CEO, Lila Thompson, and Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland.

Podcast Co-host- Lila Thompson, British Water, CEO

Lila is responsible for British Water’s strategic direction, representing the interests of UK water and wastewater supply chain companies together with wider stakeholders across the sector, through the UK, Technical and International forums. The Water Industry Forum provides challenge-led, independent thought leadership, to tackle the challenges facing the sector. Lila was formerly responsible for British Water’s international services and led business development visits to a range of markets including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, China, and India. Lila has over 20 years of experience driving business growth, policy development, and stakeholder engagement in a variety of sectors.

Podcast Co-host- Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland

With 18 years of HR experience spanning manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and now the water industry, Perminder has developed a deep understanding of business and strategy, and her journey has also highlighted the critical role of company culture and psychological safety in driving engagement, business success, innovation, and development. Perminder is passionate about ensuring the accessibility of clean water for all. A trip to India in her early years revealed the harsh reality of limited and unclean water resources, particularly impacting children, which was heartbreaking. This experience fuelled her dedication to helping others and reinforced her commitment to working in a global organisation focused on the social value of water.

A key part of making progress on EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) is speaking up when something is wrong. Bad behaviour, prejudice and negative workplace culture has to be called out in order for it to be sorted out. But, it's hard to do. 

Being part of a network can help. You realise you are not alone and can call on the support and experience of others to raise issues, encourage change... and perhaps even empower you to make a move to another role or organisation where you can feel at home, valued and do your best work.

In this episode Jo Butlin - who has tackled inequality and misogyny in her own career - joins hosts Lila and Perminder to give valuable advice to people on both sides of the speaking-up process. As an employee, how can you speak up and make sure your voice is heard so that unhelpful behaviours and attitudes are addressed? As a manager, what should you do when someone in your team speaks up to you?

Plus, Jo reflects on the progress of the network she leads and co-founded - The WUN. In only 7 years it has assembled over 80 industry partners and more than 10,000 members, giving it real strength and influence. It exists to give women the confidence and skills they need to build lasting, fulfilling career in the utilities sector. What progress has been made and what else needs to be done?

If you want to find out more about the Womens Utilities Network, just visit:

thewun.co.uk

Beneath The Surface

Through powerful stories and real-life examples, Beneath The Surface highlights EDI topics in the water sector, sharing personal experiences and best practices that inspire change. It brings attention to the voices of under-represented groups, with a focus on attracting diverse talent and fostering a culture of inclusion.

By connecting senior leaders and rising professionals from different backgrounds, it creates a space where ideas flourish, synergies are built, and the industry moves closer to becoming a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Beneath The Surface is co-hosted by British Water's CEO, Lila Thompson, and Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland.

Podcast Co-host- Lila Thompson, British Water, CEO

Lila is responsible for British Water’s strategic direction, representing the interests of UK water and wastewater supply chain companies together with wider stakeholders across the sector, through the UK, Technical and International forums. The Water Industry Forum provides challenge-led, independent thought leadership, to tackle the challenges facing the sector. Lila was formerly responsible for British Water’s international services and led business development visits to a range of markets including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, China, and India. Lila has over 20 years of experience driving business growth, policy development, and stakeholder engagement in a variety of sectors.

Podcast Co-host- Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland

With 18 years of HR experience spanning manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and now the water industry, Perminder has developed a deep understanding of business and strategy, and her journey has also highlighted the critical role of company culture and psychological safety in driving engagement, business success, innovation, and development. Perminder is passionate about ensuring the accessibility of clean water for all. A trip to India in her early years revealed the harsh reality of limited and unclean water resources, particularly impacting children, which was heartbreaking. This experience fuelled her dedication to helping others and reinforced her commitment to working in a global organisation focused on the social value of water.

EDI stands for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, but Inclusion is often the least discussed, least understood and least prioritised of the three. And yet, arguably it is the most important to get right... and can enable progress in the other two.

In this insightful episode, host Perminder interviews Paul Anderson-Walsh (CEO, Enolla Consulting). Paul has worked with and advised high profile organisations around the world with the aim of creating and sustaining environments where everyone can reach their human potential.

Discussion points include:

• What Inclusion is (and what it isn't)
• How we all subconsciously adapt ourselves to "fit in" and where that can go wrong
• Why progress on inclusion can totally transform workplace culture
• Core steps that any size organisation can take to be more inclusive
• Why the recent EDI backlash might contain a positive opportunity
• Advice for anyone feeling unhappy due to inclusion issues
• Specific advice for individuals and organisations in the UK water sector

To find out more about Enolla Consulting, visit enollaconsulting.com

Beneath The Surface

Through powerful stories and real-life examples, Beneath The Surface highlights EDI topics in the water sector, sharing personal experiences and best practices that inspire change. It brings attention to the voices of under-represented groups, with a focus on attracting diverse talent and fostering a culture of inclusion.

By connecting senior leaders and rising professionals from different backgrounds, it creates a space where ideas flourish, synergies are built, and the industry moves closer to becoming a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Beneath The Surface is co-hosted by British Water's CEO, Lila Thompson, and Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland.

Podcast Co-host- Lila Thompson, British Water, CEO

Lila is responsible for British Water’s strategic direction, representing the interests of UK water and wastewater supply chain companies together with wider stakeholders across the sector, through the UK, Technical and International forums. The Water Industry Forum provides challenge-led, independent thought leadership, to tackle the challenges facing the sector. Lila was formerly responsible for British Water’s international services and led business development visits to a range of markets including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, China, and India. Lila has over 20 years of experience driving business growth, policy development, and stakeholder engagement in a variety of sectors.

Podcast Co-host- Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland

With 18 years of HR experience spanning manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and now the water industry, Perminder has developed a deep understanding of business and strategy, and her journey has also highlighted the critical role of company culture and psychological safety in driving engagement, business success, innovation, and development. Perminder is passionate about ensuring the accessibility of clean water for all. A trip to India in her early years revealed the harsh reality of limited and unclean water resources, particularly impacting children, which was heartbreaking. This experience fuelled her dedication to helping others and reinforced her commitment to working in a global organisation focused on the social value of water.

The UK water sector needs to - and is actively trying to - recruit and retain more young people, more women and more people from diverse backgrounds. But what is the experience from the other side? What's it like for the people the water sector would love to recruit and retain? Do they feel attracted to the industry? Do they find entering it easy? What about when they start work - do they feel welcome and comfortable? Can they see themselves building a happy and successful career? Or do they face barriers and challenges?

There's no better way to find out than to actually ask real people for their lived experiences, views and opinions... so that's what we do in this episode. We speak to two young people - one (Malak) who is in her first year working in the water sector and the other (Saad) who is trying to get his first job in the sector.

What follows is a fascinating conversation that reveals plenty of challenges, opportunities and insights that are like gold-dust to anyone involved in the effort to recruit - and support the careers of - the future young, diverse and gender-balanced workforce the water sector needs.

Plus if you are someone who wants to get a job in the water sector, or you have new hires in your team... there is a whole lot of valuable knowledge in this episode.

Malak Huseynli is a Process Commissioning Engineer at Evoqua Water Technologies / Xylem UK and you can find her on LinkedIn here.

Saad Qazi is actively looking for a role in the UK water sector. He has led a water reuse project at his cricket club and been recognised by the Water Industry Forum for his research. You can find him on LinkedIn here.

Beneath The Surface

Through powerful stories and real-life examples, Beneath The Surface highlights EDI topics in the water sector, sharing personal experiences and best practices that inspire change. It brings attention to the voices of under-represented groups, with a focus on attracting diverse talent and fostering a culture of inclusion.

By connecting senior leaders and rising professionals from different backgrounds, it creates a space where ideas flourish, synergies are built, and the industry moves closer to becoming a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Beneath The Surface is co-hosted by British Water's CEO, Lila Thompson, and Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland.

Podcast Co-host- Lila Thompson, British Water, CEO

Lila is responsible for British Water’s strategic direction, representing the interests of UK water and wastewater supply chain companies together with wider stakeholders across the sector, through the UK, Technical and International forums. The Water Industry Forum provides challenge-led, independent thought leadership, to tackle the challenges facing the sector. Lila was formerly responsible for British Water’s international services and led business development visits to a range of markets including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, China, and India. Lila has over 20 years of experience driving business growth, policy development, and stakeholder engagement in a variety of sectors.

Podcast Co-host- Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland

With 18 years of HR experience spanning manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and now the water industry, Perminder has developed a deep understanding of business and strategy, and her journey has also highlighted the critical role of company culture and psychological safety in driving engagement, business success, innovation, and development. Perminder is passionate about ensuring the accessibility of clean water for all. A trip to India in her early years revealed the harsh reality of limited and unclean water resources, particularly impacting children, which was heartbreaking. This experience fuelled her dedication to helping others and reinforced her commitment to working in a global organisation focused on the social value of water.

Stephen Slessor - who identifies as working class - and has built a stellar career in the water sector - reflects on his own story and explains why he faced unequal treatment as a working class person. In discussion with host Lila, an honest and insightful appraisal is made of where the UK water sector is on class... and what it can do to improve.

Beneath The Surface

Through powerful stories and real-life examples, Beneath The Surface highlights EDI topics in the water sector, sharing personal experiences and best practices that inspire change. It brings attention to the voices of under-represented groups, with a focus on attracting diverse talent and fostering a culture of inclusion.

By connecting senior leaders and rising professionals from different backgrounds, it creates a space where ideas flourish, synergies are built, and the industry moves closer to becoming a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Beneath The Surface is co-hosted by British Water's CEO, Lila Thompson, and Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland.

Podcast Co-host- Lila Thompson, British Water, CEO

Lila is responsible for British Water’s strategic direction, representing the interests of UK water and wastewater supply chain companies together with wider stakeholders across the sector, through the UK, Technical and International forums. The Water Industry Forum provides challenge-led, independent thought leadership, to tackle the challenges facing the sector. Lila was formerly responsible for British Water’s international services and led business development visits to a range of markets including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, China, and India. Lila has over 20 years of experience driving business growth, policy development, and stakeholder engagement in a variety of sectors.

Podcast Co-host- Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland

With 18 years of HR experience spanning manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and now the water industry, Perminder has developed a deep understanding of business and strategy, and her journey has also highlighted the critical role of company culture and psychological safety in driving engagement, business success, innovation, and development. Perminder is passionate about ensuring the accessibility of clean water for all. A trip to India in her early years revealed the harsh reality of limited and unclean water resources, particularly impacting children, which was heartbreaking. This experience fuelled her dedication to helping others and reinforced her commitment to working in a global organisation focused on the social value of water.

The UK water sector needs to increase recruitment and it wants to attract young, diverse people. Yet it struggles to do so. Meanwhile young people in the UK from a variety of backgrounds are keen to find job opportunities and find it hard. Why is this mismatch happening and what can be done to improve?

James Adeleke is CEO of Generation Success, a social enterprise dedicated to unlocking the potential of young people across the UK. Founded on the principles of social mobility, diversity, and inclusion, its mission is to ensure that career success is accessible to all, regardless of background.

Host Perminder and James share a practical and honest discussion, including the following talking points:

• Who the "forgotten middle" are and how to access them
• Easy starting points that companies of any size can get going on right away
• Why one-off events and box-ticking exercises need to be replaced with foundational actions and consistency
• Best practice and success stories from other sectors that could easily be adapted and replicated
• How "well-meaning allies" can be counter-productive and how to get entire organisations to move forward

Find out more about Generation Success here.

Beneath The Surface

Through powerful stories and real-life examples, Beneath The Surface highlights EDI topics in the water sector, sharing personal experiences and best practices that inspire change. It brings attention to the voices of under-represented groups, with a focus on attracting diverse talent and fostering a culture of inclusion.

By connecting senior leaders and rising professionals from different backgrounds, it creates a space where ideas flourish, synergies are built, and the industry moves closer to becoming a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Beneath The Surface is co-hosted by British Water's CEO, Lila Thompson, and Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland.

Podcast Co-host- Lila Thompson, British Water, CEO

Lila is responsible for British Water’s strategic direction, representing the interests of UK water and wastewater supply chain companies together with wider stakeholders across the sector, through the UK, Technical and International forums. The Water Industry Forum provides challenge-led, independent thought leadership, to tackle the challenges facing the sector. Lila was formerly responsible for British Water’s international services and led business development visits to a range of markets including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, China, and India. Lila has over 20 years of experience driving business growth, policy development, and stakeholder engagement in a variety of sectors.

Podcast Co-host- Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland

With 18 years of HR experience spanning manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and now the water industry, Perminder has developed a deep understanding of business and strategy, and her journey has also highlighted the critical role of company culture and psychological safety in driving engagement, business success, innovation, and development. Perminder is passionate about ensuring the accessibility of clean water for all. A trip to India in her early years revealed the harsh reality of limited and unclean water resources, particularly impacting children, which was heartbreaking. This experience fuelled her dedication to helping others and reinforced her commitment to working in a global organisation focused on the social value of water.

Rajiv Sudan first joined the water sector in a junior non-graduate traineeship position and has worked his way up to being Major Projects Director at Mott MacDonald.

It was being mentored that gave his career a launch pad - enabling him to proceed with confidence with a guiding voice and a levelled-up network of contacts. Now he himself mentors others and does what he can to make sure that people without privilege see people like themselves in senior positions.

In this revealing and inspiring conversation Rajiv talks to host Perminder Atwal about a variety of subjects including:

• Why role models from under-represented backgrounds need to be visible in real positions of authority to show the path
• How finding the right mentor requires some self-analysis and self-starting from the mentee
• The value of reverse-mentoring 
• What senior leaders in the water sector can do to improve their ability to find and keep talented young people from untapped pathways
• The power of just asking someone you admire to have a conversation with you... you'll be surprised how often you get a "Yes"
• Practical and positive steps you can take if you are unhappy with the progress you are making in your career, especially if you are someone who has not had the early-life advantages others may have had

This is an important and instructive listen for people at all levels of the water sector - you will get ideas on how you can improve your own career and future and/or the quality and range of people you recruit... or both.

Beneath The Surface

Through powerful stories and real-life examples, Beneath The Surface highlights EDI topics in the water sector, sharing personal experiences and best practices that inspire change. It brings attention to the voices of under-represented groups, with a focus on attracting diverse talent and fostering a culture of inclusion.

By connecting senior leaders and rising professionals from different backgrounds, it creates a space where ideas flourish, synergies are built, and the industry moves closer to becoming a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Beneath The Surface is co-hosted by British Water's CEO, Lila Thompson, and Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland.

Podcast Co-host- Lila Thompson, British Water, CEO

Lila is responsible for British Water’s strategic direction, representing the interests of UK water and wastewater supply chain companies together with wider stakeholders across the sector, through the UK, Technical and International forums. The Water Industry Forum provides challenge-led, independent thought leadership, to tackle the challenges facing the sector. Lila was formerly responsible for British Water’s international services and led business development visits to a range of markets including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, China, and India. Lila has over 20 years of experience driving business growth, policy development, and stakeholder engagement in a variety of sectors.

Podcast Co-host- Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland

With 18 years of HR experience spanning manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and now the water industry, Perminder has developed a deep understanding of business and strategy, and her journey has also highlighted the critical role of company culture and psychological safety in driving engagement, business success, innovation, and development. Perminder is passionate about ensuring the accessibility of clean water for all. A trip to India in her early years revealed the harsh reality of limited and unclean water resources, particularly impacting children, which was heartbreaking. This experience fuelled her dedication to helping others and reinforced her commitment to working in a global organisation focused on the social value of water.

Are there enough women in C-suite (top-level executives within a company, typically those with titles starting with "C" (chief), such as CEO, CFO, COO, and CIO) positions? Are things moving in the right direction? What barriers do women face getting the top jobs and how can these barriers be removed or overcome? How can men help create gender equality at the top of organisations? How can any individual make the leap from senior executive to a C-suite position?

In this fascinating episode Dr Liz Coffey - author, coach, speaker, consultant (and Founder of Spark Leadership)- joins hosts Lila and Perminder to shares insights from her vast experience of researching and coaching people around the world in C-suite positions... and people trying to get there.

The episode starts with a look at the latest stats on gender equality in leadership positions before exploring a whole variety of discussion points including:

• How the majority / minority dynamic is still at play in the workplace and the huge impact it has on equality, diversity and inclusion
• How the experiences of women in leadership have changed over the years and where things are going next
• What "strategic influencing" is and its vital importance in making it to C-suite level and then being successful
• Why different male/female experiences growing up may explain some common boardroom dynamics
• How women can harness and exploit collaborative skills that may come to them more naturally to be brilliant leaders
• The vital part men have to play in creating gender equality and, in turn, better outcomes for organisations

This episode is a must-listen for anyone at any level of the water sector but could be especially useful for women wanting to progress to the very highest levels of leadership.

Beneath The Surface

Through powerful stories and real-life examples, Beneath The Surface highlights EDI topics in the water sector, sharing personal experiences and best practices that inspire change. It brings attention to the voices of under-represented groups, with a focus on attracting diverse talent and fostering a culture of inclusion.

By connecting senior leaders and rising professionals from different backgrounds, it creates a space where ideas flourish, synergies are built, and the industry moves closer to becoming a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Beneath The Surface is co-hosted by British Water's CEO, Lila Thompson, and Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland.

Podcast Co-host- Lila Thompson, British Water, CEO

Lila is responsible for British Water’s strategic direction, representing the interests of UK water and wastewater supply chain companies together with wider stakeholders across the sector, through the UK, Technical and International forums. The Water Industry Forum provides challenge-led, independent thought leadership, to tackle the challenges facing the sector. Lila was formerly responsible for British Water’s international services and led business development visits to a range of markets including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, China, and India. Lila has over 20 years of experience driving business growth, policy development, and stakeholder engagement in a variety of sectors.

Podcast Co-host- Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland

With 18 years of HR experience spanning manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and now the water industry, Perminder has developed a deep understanding of business and strategy, and her journey has also highlighted the critical role of company culture and psychological safety in driving engagement, business success, innovation, and development. Perminder is passionate about ensuring the accessibility of clean water for all. A trip to India in her early years revealed the harsh reality of limited and unclean water resources, particularly impacting children, which was heartbreaking. This experience fuelled her dedication to helping others and reinforced her commitment to working in a global organisation focused on the social value of water.

Energy and Utility Skills conduct regular research into how the water sector is doing on EDI. The latest stats were released in the last few weeks. While they show that there is a commitment to make progress on EDI - show other challenging patterns emerge. There are issues with women, younger colleagues and people from ethnic minority backgrounds all wanting to leave the sector. Plus, although more diverse applicants are joining application processes, there is a big drop off when it comes to final recruitment decisions.

Why are these trends appearing and what can be done to improve?

Where there is progress - commitment at a senior level to progress on EDI and attracting more diverse applicants into the sector , for example - how can it be built on? More importantly, what is it about workplace culture in the water sector that is making exactly the type of people necessary to attract (more women, younger and more diverse people) want to leave after only a short amount of time?

Louise Parry (Director of People & Organisational Development at Energy and Utility Skills) shares the latest stats, her analysis of them and experiences and insights from her own career. In the discussion that follows - exactly the type of challenging conversation on EDI this podcast was designed to facilitate - many issues, explanations and topics are raised, including:

• How sponsors can carve out opportunities for younger colleagues
• Where recruitment goes wrong, especially on out-of-date and unnecessary "must-haves"
• The need to attract recruits from a wider breadth of industries, backgrounds and starting points
• Why women often still don't feel that their voices are heard
• Why people from ethnic minorities can find themselves "welcome to apply"... but not getting the role
• The role of mentorship
• The importance of building networks

This is an essential listen for anyone at any level in the water sector that wants to know what is really happening with EDI in the industry at the moment and what their role can be in making things better.

Beneath The Surface

Through powerful stories and real-life examples, Beneath The Surface highlights EDI topics in the water sector, sharing personal experiences and best practices that inspire change. It brings attention to the voices of under-represented groups, with a focus on attracting diverse talent and fostering a culture of inclusion.

By connecting senior leaders and rising professionals from different backgrounds, it creates a space where ideas flourish, synergies are built, and the industry moves closer to becoming a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Beneath The Surface is co-hosted by British Water's CEO, Lila Thompson, and Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland.

Podcast Co-host- Lila Thompson, British Water, CEO

Lila is responsible for British Water’s strategic direction, representing the interests of UK water and wastewater supply chain companies together with wider stakeholders across the sector, through the UK, Technical and International forums. The Water Industry Forum provides challenge-led, independent thought leadership, to tackle the challenges facing the sector. Lila was formerly responsible for British Water’s international services and led business development visits to a range of markets including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, China, and India. Lila has over 20 years of experience driving business growth, policy development, and stakeholder engagement in a variety of sectors.

Podcast Co-host- Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland

With 18 years of HR experience spanning manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and now the water industry, Perminder has developed a deep understanding of business and strategy, and her journey has also highlighted the critical role of company culture and psychological safety in driving engagement, business success, innovation, and development. Perminder is passionate about ensuring the accessibility of clean water for all. A trip to India in her early years revealed the harsh reality of limited and unclean water resources, particularly impacting children, which was heartbreaking. This experience fuelled her dedication to helping others and reinforced her commitment to working in a global organisation focused on the social value of water.

Richard DeNetto is CEO of Change The Race Ratio, a campaign to increase racial and ethnic minority representation on boards and in leadership teams in UK Business. He joins hosts Lila and Perminder on this episode to give an insight into the current state of diversity at board level across UK industry, including the water sector.

Are there enough senior leaders from ethnic minority backgrounds? If not, what can be done to make positive progress?

In this fascinating conversation Richard shares the latest statistics, plus explains how companies, leaders and individuals can all make a difference. He explains the relevance and impact of the Parker report, shares advice on best practices that have worked and points out common pitfalls and blindspots. Attention is given to the link between social mobility and representation, plus there is great practical advice for professionals at all levels on how to avoid affinity bias and how to overcome barriers to progression.

It is often said that real change needs to come from the top, so this episode is an essential listen for senior leaders in the water sector and beyond.

Beneath The Surface

Through powerful stories and real-life examples, Beneath The Surface highlights EDI topics in the water sector, sharing personal experiences and best practices that inspire change. It brings attention to the voices of under-represented groups, with a focus on attracting diverse talent and fostering a culture of inclusion.

By connecting senior leaders and rising professionals from different backgrounds, it creates a space where ideas flourish, synergies are built, and the industry moves closer to becoming a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Beneath The Surface is co-hosted by British Water's CEO, Lila Thompson, and Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland.

Podcast Co-host- Lila Thompson, British Water, CEO

Lila is responsible for British Water’s strategic direction, representing the interests of UK water and wastewater supply chain companies together with wider stakeholders across the sector, through the UK, Technical and International forums. The Water Industry Forum provides challenge-led, independent thought leadership, to tackle the challenges facing the sector. Lila was formerly responsible for British Water’s international services and led business development visits to a range of markets including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, China, and India. Lila has over 20 years of experience driving business growth, policy development, and stakeholder engagement in a variety of sectors.

Podcast Co-host- Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland

With 18 years of HR experience spanning manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and now the water industry, Perminder has developed a deep understanding of business and strategy, and her journey has also highlighted the critical role of company culture and psychological safety in driving engagement, business success, innovation, and development. Perminder is passionate about ensuring the accessibility of clean water for all. A trip to India in her early years revealed the harsh reality of limited and unclean water resources, particularly impacting children, which was heartbreaking. This experience fuelled her dedication to helping others and reinforced her commitment to working in a global organisation focused on the social value of water.