Good Employment Charter leadership series: Leading Through Change & Uncertainty

Gillian is an experienced chair, non-executive director, advisor, and mentor, with a strong track record of supporting purpose-driven organisations that prioritise people and growth. Currently holding a number of NED role, Gillian serves as Chair of Back on Track, a Manchester-based charity, and as a Board Member of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter.

With extensive leadership experience in global retail, Gillian has held pivotal roles within IKEA Group across diverse international markets. She was CEO for IKEA in China, UK & Ireland, and more recently, led IKEA’s global consumer experience. Her career has been defined by a passion for making a meaningful difference to both people and businesses. She is known for driving business growth and sustained profitability by fostering inclusive organisational cultures and transforming business practices.

Gillian’s leadership at IKEA UK led to a significant milestone in 2017 when the company became the first large retailer to achieve accreditation as a Real Living Wage Employer. This achievement highlights her long-term commitment to humanistic values—believing that when employees receive fair compensation and positive working conditions, it not only boosts their well-being but also enhances customer experiences, driving long-term growth and success for the business.

An exiled Scotsman, Ian has spent his career working on environmental and public health issues – and the socioeconomic policies that underpin them – from community to international levels.

Starting his career as an environmental health officer with Carlisle City Council, he has worked in delivery, policy and leadership roles for Edinburgh City Council, the Health and Safety Executive, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, The World Health Organisation (Euro), the UK Public Health Association, Groundwork UK and The Growth Company.

Since March 2019, he has led the development and implementation of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, – an initiative established by the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham in his first term and now a major policy foundation to help address employment related inequalities and build economic and social resilience in his second.

Aliya Rajah is an Executive Presence and Public Speaking Coach who partners with organisations to develop confident, influential leaders. She works both one-to-one with senior executives and with leadership teams through workshops and training programmes, helping professionals communicate with confidence, clarity, and impact.

Her work enables ambitious leaders to command the room, increase their visibility, and maximise their influence.

Aliya advises CEOs, public figures, entrepreneurs, educators, legal professionals, and high-profile personalities across a range of sectors. Having expanded her business internationally, she spent seven years living and working in Dubai, where she partnered with leading organisations to deliver executive presence, communication, and leadership development programmes.

Her clients include Amazon, DP World, ADNOC, Dubai Health Authority, Add People, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Mashreq and Emirates NBD.

With an academic background in Biomedical Science and a Master’s in Public Health from the UK, Aliya climbed the corporate ladder before recognising that her chosen career didn’t offer a true sense of fulfilment. While working in London, she pursued formal qualifications in Personal Performance Coaching and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), eventually transitioning into coaching full-time in 2017. Today, she works internationally across the UK and the UAE, helping leaders build executive presence, communicate with confidence, and lead with greater impact.