What does it take to lead with inclusion in a complex, global organisation?

In this episode of the Inclusive Growth Podcast, Toby Mildon speaks with Rebecca Pearson, Chief Sustainability and People Officer at Bupa, about her incredible 31-year journey from frontline employee to executive leader. Rebecca shares how active listening, employee-led initiatives, and a values-driven culture underpin Bupa’s inclusive approach to leadership.

You’ll hear practical insights into how inclusion is embedded into the DNA of the organisation—not as a “nice to have” but as a core business priority. From frontline feedback leading to immediate policy changes, to the power of employee advisory boards, Rebecca offers invaluable lessons for Chief People Officers navigating today’s polarised and pressurised environments.

Key takeaways:

• Why inclusion must be embedded in day-to-day leadership, not treated as a side project.
• How active listening leads to real, meaningful change.
• The role of psychological safety in building trust and performance.
• Why Bupa’s approach to diversity goes beyond metrics to everyday connection.
• How aligning sustainability and people strategy creates long-term inclusive growth.

Guest Highlights:
Rebecca Pearson, Chief Sustainability and People Officer, Bupa
Rebecca's LinkedIn Profile
Bupa's Everyone's Welcome Website

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If you're enjoying this episode and looking to boost equity, inclusion, and diversity in your organisation, my team and I are here to help. Our team specialises in crafting data-driven strategies, developing inclusive leaders, designing fair recruitment processes, and enhancing disability confidence. With a blend of professional expertise and lived experience, we're ready to support you on your journey. Reach out to us through our website. 

If you want to build a more inclusive workplace that you can be proud of please visit our website to learn more.

Why are disabled individuals still excluded from leadership?

In this episode of The Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon speaks with Pravjoth Gill, a disability advocate and recent HR graduate, whose dissertation explores the misrepresentation of disabled people in leadership roles – and what inclusive HR practices can do to change this.

Pravjoth shares how her lived experience and intersectional identity shaped her research, what the biggest blockers to disabled leadership are, and how internalised ableism and outdated workplace systems continue to hold talent back.

Key takeaways:

• Why disabled leaders are often seen as ‘inspirational’ – and why that’s problematic.
• The real barriers beyond bias: broken systems, lack of adjustments, and inaccessible leadership pipelines.
• What HR can do now: co-creating inclusive training with disabled voices.
• The role of voluntary sectors and what others can learn.
• What the workplace could look like in 10 years if we get inclusion right.

Guest Highlight:

Pravjoth Gill, Associate at CIPD

 🔗 LinkedIn profile

Send us a message

If you're enjoying this episode and looking to boost equity, inclusion, and diversity in your organisation, my team and I are here to help. Our team specialises in crafting data-driven strategies, developing inclusive leaders, designing fair recruitment processes, and enhancing disability confidence. With a blend of professional expertise and lived experience, we're ready to support you on your journey. Reach out to us through our website. 

If you want to build a more inclusive workplace that you can be proud of please visit our website to learn more.

Why short-term diversity efforts fail - and how to fix them

In this episode of The Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon is joined by Juliane Schlüsener, a systemic organisational developer, researcher and coach. Together, they explore how organisations can drive sustainable equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) by going beyond surface-level initiatives and embedding change across systems, structures and people.

Juliane shares insights from her research into women working in male-dominated industries, revealing how stereotype threat undermines performance. She also explains why organisations must align their structures and processes with people-focused training to achieve lasting change.

Key takeaways:

• The science behind underperformance in minority groups
• Why short-term EDI initiatives often erode employee trust
• How to embed long-term change through a systemic lens
• The role of leaders in supporting inclusive cultures
• Why Juliane remains hopeful despite societal EDI backlash

Guest highlights:
Juliane Schlüsener, systemic organisational developer and EDI coach

 🔗 Juliane Schlüsener's LinkedIn profile
🌐 Visit mildon.co.uk for more resources and support

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If you want to build a more inclusive workplace that you can be proud of please visit our website to learn more.

Are employee-owned organisations the key to inclusive, high-performing teams?

In this episode of the Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon is joined by Jeremy Gadd, Partner at Telos Partners and former senior leader at the John Lewis Partnership. Together, they explore what it really means to be an employee-owned organisation and why this model is gaining traction across the UK.

Jeremy draws on over a decade of experience helping businesses transition to employee ownership, offering insights into the practical, cultural, and performance-based benefits this structure can bring.

Key takeaways:

• What defines an employee-owned organisation—and the different ownership models.
• Why businesses are turning to employee ownership for long-term sustainability.
• How ownership structure impacts inclusion, engagement, and trust.
• The role of leadership in fostering inclusive, purpose-driven cultures.
• Why co-creation and shared responsibility are vital to success.

Guest Highlight:
Jeremy Gadd is a Partner at Telos Partners LLP
and has 30+ years' experience with employee-owned organisations, including the John Lewis Partnership.

👉 Visit Jeremy’s LinkedIn

Send us a message

If you're enjoying this episode and looking to boost equity, inclusion, and diversity in your organisation, my team and I are here to help. Our team specialises in crafting data-driven strategies, developing inclusive leaders, designing fair recruitment processes, and enhancing disability confidence. With a blend of professional expertise and lived experience, we're ready to support you on your journey. Reach out to us through our website. 

If you want to build a more inclusive workplace that you can be proud of please visit our website to learn more.

Could you spot the signs of radicalisation in an employee’s home life?

 In this moving and eye-opening episode, Toby Mildon talks to Sarah Hardy from Exit Hate, a charity helping individuals disengage from extremism and supporting affected families. Sarah shares her personal journey after her teenage son was radicalised by a far-right group and how that experience impacted her work, wellbeing, and relationships.

They explore the vital role of HR professionals and line managers in recognising signs of distress, showing empathy, and supporting employees dealing with radicalisation at home. Sarah provides practical advice on how workplaces can become safe spaces during difficult times.

Key takeaways include:

• Early warning signs of radicalisation affecting family life.
• The emotional and professional toll on parents in the workplace.
• Practical ways managers can support affected employees.
• Why compassion and non-judgemental conversation matter.
• The critical importance of early intervention and signposting to support.

Guest highlight:
Sarah Hardy, Family Support Programme lead at Exit Hate.
Website: https://www.exithate.com/
Visit Exit Hate page on LinkedIn

Send us a message

If you're enjoying this episode and looking to boost equity, inclusion, and diversity in your organisation, my team and I are here to help. Our team specialises in crafting data-driven strategies, developing inclusive leaders, designing fair recruitment processes, and enhancing disability confidence. With a blend of professional expertise and lived experience, we're ready to support you on your journey. Reach out to us through our website. 

If you want to build a more inclusive workplace that you can be proud of please visit our website to learn more.

You deal with conflict at work every day, and rising polarisation makes this harder. This episode gives you a straightforward way to strengthen your inclusive leadership and keep your team steady when views clash.

You’ll hear:

• How political, economic and tech pressures shape your people’s behaviour.
• Why psychological safety and brave spaces matter.
• A clear four-step method to manage difficult conversations.
• How to calm the room, set simple rules, model curiosity and close well.
• The six inclusive leadership behaviours that build trust: empathy, relationship building, learning orientation, open-mindedness, composure and flexibility.
• How to move from unconscious or performative inclusion to intentional, everyday actions.
• A quick self-check you can use to spot strengths and gaps in your culture.

If you want support applying this work in your organisation, you can reach me at [email protected].

Send us a message

If you're enjoying this episode and looking to boost equity, inclusion, and diversity in your organisation, my team and I are here to help. Our team specialises in crafting data-driven strategies, developing inclusive leaders, designing fair recruitment processes, and enhancing disability confidence. With a blend of professional expertise and lived experience, we're ready to support you on your journey. Reach out to us through our website. 

If you want to build a more inclusive workplace that you can be proud of please visit our website to learn more.

How do we move from performative diversity to real inclusion?

In this episode of The Inclusive Growth Show, host Toby Mildon welcomes inclusion enabler and new associate Fiona Daniel. Drawing on her extensive career and deeply personal experiences, Fiona shares why real inclusion begins with asking, “Do I see myself here?”

This conversation goes beyond the surface, challenging exclusionary myths and exploring the emotional impact of systemic bias. Fiona also shares practical tips and outlines the strategic workshops she delivers to help organisations embed inclusion into their business goals—not just HR policies.

Key takeaways:

• Why seeing yourself represented is the foundation of inclusion.
• The myth that inclusion excludes others—and why it’s harmful.
• How to align DEI with business strategy using PESTLE analysis.
• The crucial role of leadership accountability in driving inclusion.
• Simple questions to ask for more inclusive decision-making.

Guest highlight:
Fiona Daniel, Founder of FD2i, brings decades of EDI expertise from her time in banking and now through her consultancy work.

Send us a message

If you're enjoying this episode and looking to boost equity, inclusion, and diversity in your organisation, my team and I are here to help. Our team specialises in crafting data-driven strategies, developing inclusive leaders, designing fair recruitment processes, and enhancing disability confidence. With a blend of professional expertise and lived experience, we're ready to support you on your journey. Reach out to us through our website. 

If you want to build a more inclusive workplace that you can be proud of please visit our website to learn more.

Are you using your voice to its fullest potential in the workplace?

In this episode of the Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon sits down with Clinton Jordan, a vocal coach and performer who has sung with the likes of Mariah Carey and Tina Turner, and even performed at a royal wedding. Clinton now dedicates his work to helping professionals find their true voice and use it to lead with confidence and impact.

Together, they explore how the voice shapes our workplace presence, the concept of sonic impact trauma, and why many of us are held back by early negative experiences with speaking. Clinton shares practical strategies for moving from convincing to conviction in communication and how leaders can cultivate a truly inclusive environment by mastering empathy and sound.

Key takeaways:

• How sonic impact trauma affects workplace confidence
• Techniques for speaking with conviction, not just persuasion
• Why inclusive leaders must understand the musicality of communication
• The role of breathwork in boosting team performance and trust
• What comedians can teach us about tone, timing, and connection

Send us a message

If you're enjoying this episode and looking to boost equity, inclusion, and diversity in your organisation, my team and I are here to help. Our team specialises in crafting data-driven strategies, developing inclusive leaders, designing fair recruitment processes, and enhancing disability confidence. With a blend of professional expertise and lived experience, we're ready to support you on your journey. Reach out to us through our website. 

If you want to build a more inclusive workplace that you can be proud of please visit our website to learn more.

Breaking down barriers to real disability inclusion.
In this episode of the Inclusive Growth Show, host Toby Mildon speaks with Ruben Carol—Mildon’s newest associate consultant—about his powerful journey from stroke survivor to actor and disability inclusion expert. Ruben brings a wealth of experience working with major organisations such as Transport for London and C2C Rail to remove barriers and create inclusive environments.

Together, they explore how the social model of disability transforms organisational thinking, why “treating everyone the same” is a dangerous myth, and how a culture of equity—rather than compliance—enables true belonging. Ruben also highlights why asking (not assuming) is key to inclusive practice, and outlines practical training offerings that help embed inclusion across teams.

Key takeaways include:

• Why equity means more than treating everyone the same
• How to make workplace adjustments that go beyond compliance
• The importance of psychological safety in inclusive leadership
• Why employers must create space for employees to express their needs
• Practical tips to foster belonging and dismantle assumptions

Guest: Ruben Carol
Associate Consultant at Mildon
🔗 Ruben's LinkedIn Profile
🔗 Ruben's Website

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If you want to build a more inclusive workplace that you can be proud of please visit our website to learn more.

Why values-led leadership creates truly inclusive growth

In this inspiring conversation, Gillian Drakeford shares her journey from management trainee to leading IKEA UK & Ireland, and her deep insights from helping IKEA expand into China.

She reveals how formative experiences shaped her leadership style, including a key moment when asking “why” was discouraged — an attitude she actively challenged throughout her career.

Gillian discusses how cultural intelligence, values-based recruitment, and inclusive leadership fostered sustainable business growth and stronger emotional connections with customers and colleagues alike.

In this episode:

• The leadership lesson Gillian learned at 18 that stayed with her for life
• How she helped IKEA thrive in China through cultural sensitivity
• Rebuilding IKEA UK’s values and reconnecting teams with purpose
• Why inclusive leadership drives emotional connection and commercial success
• Her practical advice for leaders seeking inclusive growth

Send us a message

If you're enjoying this episode and looking to boost equity, inclusion, and diversity in your organisation, my team and I are here to help. Our team specialises in crafting data-driven strategies, developing inclusive leaders, designing fair recruitment processes, and enhancing disability confidence. With a blend of professional expertise and lived experience, we're ready to support you on your journey. Reach out to us through our website. 

If you want to build a more inclusive workplace that you can be proud of please visit our website to learn more.