Creating an inclusive workplace
Delivered by the pro-manchester Race, Ethnicity & Religious Belief (RERB) committee, part of our EDI committee.
Keynote - Micro-aggressions in the workplace with Amy Straker
Microaggressions can take place in any organisation, whether that be in the boardroom or shop floor! Microaggressions impact people from lots of identities and backgrounds e.g. faith and belief, race and ethnicity, to gender and disability, this interactive keynote aims to equip managers with insights into the nature of microaggressions in the workplace. This engaging discussion will look at how microaggressions affect people, what measures can be put in place to avoid them taking place and how to deal with situations where microaggressions have occurred.
A more inclusive employee lifecycle – From recruitment to leadership.
An employee’s journey with an organisation starts at the recruitment stage and goes through various stages. This panel discussion with focus on how EDI can be integrated at all stages within lifecycle of an employee from recruitment to promotion to leadership positions. The panel will provide tried and tested examples of EDI initiatives that have been implemented with success. The aim of this session is to provide managers with actionable takeaways that can be implemented in their organisation.
Panel speakers to be confirmed.
Agenda
5.30 - 6.00: Registration & networking
6.00 - 6.40: Micro-aggressions - Keynote speaker Amy Straker
6.45 - 7.20: Panel discussion - panel members to be announced.
7.30: Close
About the Speakers:
Amy is a Diversity & Inclusiveness Assistant Director for EY. Her role focuses on implementing EY’s D&I strategy and Equity and Belonging Culture Change journey across the UKI part of the firm. Amy has a background in both law and recruitment before moving into D&I. Both inside and outside of work Amy is committed to educating and raising awareness of the challenges and barriers faced by minorities. She is an experienced presenter and facilitator of training sessions focused on all elements of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. Amy feels strongly that it isn’t for the minority to address systemic inequality in our workplaces and society, it is everyone’s responsibility to educate themselves and embed inclusivity. She is so proud to be on the Northern Power Women Future List 2020, nominated for the We are the City Rising Star Award 2020 and an alumni of the Stride Leadership Development Programme 2021.
Emily is a Product Development Specialist at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and is the co-chair of the Freshfields Gender Equality Network. In this role she has implemented various changes to the workplace to ensure it supports people of all genders and has advised on policies and employee opportunities to ensure they are inclusive. Emily is passionate about equality and is not afraid to speak out where she sees an issue in the workplace. She supports other diversity networks, often collaborating on events to raise awareness of the importance of intersectionality. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion has won her the Freshfields Responsible Business Award (2019), Behaviour and Culture Award (2020) and the Made in Manchester Diversity and Inclusivity Champion Award 2021.
Nathan leads the HR practice for Michael Page across the North West and North East, specialising in senior to executive-level HR appointments. He has a strong track record of driving inclusive hiring processes that result in highly intersectional placements.
Passionate about Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) and Social Impact, Nathan actively champions meaningful change in both the workplace and wider community. As a person of Black mixed-race heritage, he is committed to fostering understanding, empathy, and action to create equitable opportunities for all.
Nathan chairs PageGroup’s UK DE&I & Social Impact Board and advises the Northern DE&I Board. He leads national DE&I initiatives across Unity@Page (Race & Multiculture), Women@Page (Gender), and SocialMobility@Page.
Nathan was inducted into the 2025 Change Maker Advocacy List for the WeArePoWEr / Northern Power Women, won the ‘Life Changer – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion’ award at the 2022 PageGroup Life Changer Awards and was shortlisted for the ‘Diversity & Inclusivity Champion’ award at the 2021 Made in Manchester Awards. He also presents at HR thought leader events, with a focus on how to create diverse and inclusive working cultures, including how to attract top talent with an inclusive approach.
Interested In The Event?
If you’re interested in attending, you can book online here.
