BFI - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Associate Director of Organisational Development and Learning in NHS Lothian

Amanda Langsley is the Associate Director of Organisational Development and Learning in NHS Lothian (26,000 staff). Amanda started her career in the NHS 24 years ago as a Registered Mental Health Nurse. During Covid-19 Amanda was asked to be the wellbeing champion for NHS Lothian representing the Health Board Nationally and reporting in to Scottish Government. During the Pandemic Amanda led on the development of a Wellbeing Strategy for NHS Lothian and established a peer support service to support staff who may be struggling. Amanda is passionate about creating the conditions for healthy, happy, productive people and is a member of the IHI (Institute for Healthcare Improvement) global learning network focused on finding and creating joy in work. Amanda lives in Edinburgh with her Husband and three daughters.

Job Titles:

• Director of Policy - Andy Chamberlain

Andy is responsible for IPSE's policy work and has a special interest in labour market changes, employment status, IR35, Making Tax Digital and fair commercial terms for the self-employed. In 2015 he led IPSE's successful campaign against proposals to restrict travel and subsistence tax relief for incorporated entities. Andy worked with EY to develop IPSE's concept for a new corporate form - the Freelancer Limited Company - which would deliver clarity of legal and tax status for the smallest businesses, while also protecting revenue for the Exchequer. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic Andy has campaigned for financial support for the self-employed. IPSE was instrumental in setting up the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) and then went on to lobby for the inclusion of all self-employed in that scheme. In March 2021 the scheme was extended to include a further 600,000 individuals that were previously ineligible. More recently Andy led IPSE's campaign against the off-payroll working (IR35) changes in the private sector. Although the changes did come in 2021, IPSE was able to delay the legislation and secure an exemption for small end-clients.

Anna is the Equalities and Inclusion manager for the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). She leads the authority's diversity and inclusion strategy which includes the design and implementation of practices, initiatives and programmes that foster an environment of inclusion for the workforce and for residents. Anna has over 15 years of experience in the field of diversity and inclusion, supporting positive equality outcomes and implementing change in the public and third sectors. Her key areas of focus include diversity management, strategic planning, transport accessibility and disability inclusion, community engagement and fostering a culture that makes change possible. Anna's passionate and focused approach has yielded impressive results and significant recognition for the WMCA, including a number of accreditations and national recognitions. Anna holds a Master of Science in International Relations and a Doctorate in Political Science from the University of Bristol.

An avid mentor to many, Bernadette is determined to help others succeed at reaching their personal and professional development goals. Having been in the HR space for 8 years. Bernadette specialises in Learning, Development and Talent Management and more within the last 4 years has been getting more involved with the wellbeing, inclusion and diversity space.

Job Titles:

• Co - Founder and Managing Director of Howlett Brown

Charlene Brown is the co-founder and Managing Director of Howlett Brown and has over a decade of legal and financial services experience providing strategic employment law advice on a range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters including, bullying, harassment and discrimination, whistleblowing, culture, diversity and inclusion, data breaches, breach of confidentiality, pay reporting and training. Charlene has extensive EMEA employee investigations experience which includes conducting and advising on complex, small and large investigations across a broad range of industries. Her experience includes privacy law, cybersecurity law and corporate governance. Charlene also counsels on best practice for corporate diversity initiatives, diversity networks and startups. She serves on the UK's Employment Lawyers Association working party and has contributed to the McGregor-Smith Review and the Ethnicity Pay Gap consultation. Charlene also serves on the advisory board of TNON (The Network of Networks), an organisation focused on the development of network leaders and the strategic advancement of employee resource groups to better serve businesses and diverse communities. In addition to her legal and D&I expertise, Charlene is also a life and business coach, helping individuals embrace change, manage issues of self-doubt and accelerate their career or business. Charlene is also the Founder of Honest Voice, a company created to empower and prepare young people to make more informed decisions about their future and to teach young people the practical business skills needed for career success, that are not ordinarily taught during education. In 2016, Charlene was named the Black British Business Awards Financial Services Rising Star and in 2017 Charlene was named the Legal Diversity Rising Star. In 2017 she was also recognised as a Future Leader by EMpower and the Financial Times (ranked no. 2 out of 30).

Clarke is responsible for developing and supporting relationships with our key accounts across Parasol, Clearsky and First Freelance. Clarke has over 5 years' experience within the Optionis Group and a wealth of experience within the industry. He regularly hosts legislation events with the REC and agencies whilst supporting major end clients such as Disney, Apple and Sony.

Job Titles:

• Director - Colin Morley

Colin has 22 years of experience of delivering workforce solutions across the UK, Ireland, Europe and America. Colin has architected and delivered scalable services and products to private, non-for-profit and public sector organisations from delivery functions onshore, nearshore and offshore. Colin has a particular specialism in contingent workforce legislation and helping his clients to procure more sophisticated outcome based solutions.

Job Titles:

• Founder and Chair of the InterLaw Diversity Forum

Daniel is founder and chair of the InterLaw Diversity Forum, which seeks to promote meritocracy and inclusion for all diverse groups working in the legal sector. The InterLaw Diversity Forum was "Highly Commended" by the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards in 2016 for 'Innovation in Human Resources'. Daniel is interested in the impact of the pandemic crisis on legal professionals in protected categories (women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBT+ and disabled communities) are how they are being disproportionately affected. Added to this, he is keenly aware of a heightened sense of inequality in society, with the Black Lives Matter civil rights movement gaining important momentum. In addition, Daniel was named the "Legal Innovator of the Year" at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards in 2012 for his work in capital markets and diversity and inclusion. In 2020 Daniel was appointed as Queen's Counsel Honoris Causa (Honorary QC) for both his contributions to capital markets in England & Wales through the Forum for US Securities Lawyers in London as well as his contributions to diversity, inclusion and culture in the legal sector through the InterLaw Diversity Forum.

Job Titles:

• CEO of Tax Compliance Firm IR35 Shield

Dave Chaplin is the CEO of tax compliance firm IR35 Shield which enables firms, agencies and contractors to remain compliant with the Intermediaries Legislation (IR35) and Off-payroll legislation. Dave is the author of the Contractors' Handbook Third Edition and more recently IR35 & Off-Payroll - explained. He assists with IR35 tax tribunals, has consulted on many occasions for HMRC, advises politicians and Government bodies on freelance tax matters, and is prolifically quoted in the trade and national press. In November 2020, Dave was included in the Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA)' list of Europe's 100 most influential leaders in the staffing industry.

Job Titles:

• Executive Director of Creative Diversity Network

Since 2016, Deborah has been the Executive Director of Creative Diversity Network, the membership body funded by the UK's major broadcasters, and production community. Its aims are to support the UK television industry to promote, celebrate and share good practice around the diversity agenda. With over 30 years' experience working above and below the line in television, film and theatre, as well as policy development across the wider creative and cultural industries. She is the architect and designer of the BFI Diversity standards that were adopted by The Oscars and BAFTA in 2020. In addition, she is an adviser to the UN and UNICEF on the rights of disabled people to cultural activities. As well as sitting on panels and steering groups for many organisations, Deborah is known in her own right as an artist provocateur having won awards and nominations nationally and internationally. Her work in theatre is acknowledged as a catalyst for challenge and change in perceptions of disability and difference. In 2019 she was awarded the Life Time Achievement award from Inclusive Companies for her body of work in the area of diversity and culture. She is a Disabled Powerlister 2018 and 2019.

Job Titles:

• Chief Data Analytics & Privacy Officer, Edosa Odaro

Edosa is a cross-industry AI (artificial intelligence) and data transformation leader who has helped countless international organisations deliver significant impact through advanced data analytics, transformation strategy implementations, and value-based intelligent interventions. Currently Chief Data Analytics & Privacy Officer, Edosa also serves on selective boards. Beyond his academic background in economics, computer science, busi- ness, technology and innovation, Edosa's ability to solve problems is enhanced by his significant focus on the importance of people and of culture - as well as his passion for a brand of inclusion that is underpinned by the empowerment of diverse minds. He is a multi-published author, a non-executive board member, a guest lecturer and a regular speaker. Edosa is also a multi-award winner, including being named a Financial Times Top 100 Most Influential Leader, a Global 100 Data Activator and one of the 30 Most Influential Leaders in FinTech & Data. Outside of work, Edosa enjoys spending time with his wife, his two sons and his family - experiencing a wide variety of activities, including football, cycling, running and skiing.

Job Titles:

• Director of Research
• Director of Research and Head of Menopause Workplace Training, Elizabeth Smith

Elizabeth is director of research and a founding co-director at Business Forums International. She is responsible for all programme content and writing, and researches current areas of interest for senior HR professionals in large organisations. BFI is the UK's leading HR risk specialist conference and training provider, delivering key and timely information to over 3,000 delegates a year both through public and in-house training courses. Elizabeth believes the menopause is a time of great growth and creativity, and strongly objects to the way menopausal women are currently portrayed and treated. She wants employers to see how to harness this wealth of talent and experience, especially at a time when many are struggling to recruit. She designs and delivers innovative and engaging online training courses for organisations. The courses are for all levels, both public and in-house, to review, implement and communicate effective menopause policy, as well as facilitating honest conversations, how to avoid tribunals and ensure workplaces are truly inclusive. Before founding BFI in 1996, Elizabeth specialised in researching corporate financial programmes in Asia and the Middle East, based in Dubai. She also worked in advertising and publishing in the Middle East and London.

Job Titles:

• Expert Employment Lawyer, Fudia Smartt
• Partner at Spencer West LLP

Fudia Smartt is a Partner at Spencer West LLP. She joined the firm in September 2019, having previously been Partner at a boutique employment practice in Chancery Lane. Her previous work experience includes practising in highly regarded employment teams at both Russell Cooke LLP (a top 100 London firm) and City firm Fox Williams LLP. Covering every stage of the employment life cycle, Fudia advises on non-contentious and contentious matters for both employers and employees on topics such as bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), unfair and wrongful dismissal, restrictive covenants, discrimination, whistleblowing, maternity and other family-friendly matters. She has experience across a wide range of sectors, with particular expertise in technology, media, financial services and professional services. Fudia has significant experience in the following: Advising on day to day HR operational issues, which includes on how to avoid grievances and disciplinary/dismissal issues; Senior executive appointments and departures (which often include regulatory issues); Bringing and defending complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims in the employment tribunals; Advising employers and employees (as well as partners) on the enforceability of restrictive covenants and confidentiality agreements, including in relation to team moves; Drafting contracts of employment, service agreements and HR policies; Advising companies on restructuring exercises, redundancies (including collective redundancies) and employment issues arising from insolvency; Advising on TUPE-related matters including in relation to outsourcing and property transactions; Advising both employers and employees on data protection issues; Advising business start-ups in a wide range of industries on how to protect and grow their businesses at a reasonable cost; Providing HR advice and tailored training to clients and external bodies on all employment law matters, from recruitment to dismissal and beyond; Advising members on joining LLPs; and drafting, negotiating and advising on settlement agreements. She has acted on a number of high profile (and commercially sensitive) matters which has resulted in six-figure settlements for her clients. She has also acted on matters in the County Court, High Courts, Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) and Court of Appeal. Fudia is praised by her clients for her creative problem-solving skills and her ability to provide commercial, tailored legal advice in a friendly and empathetic manner. She has a high emotional intelligence which she uses to assist with getting the results her clients want. Fudia is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.

Ibrahim launched his YouTube channel ‘Ibz Mo' in 2017 and created online content to help demystify the Oxbridge process. Now he has over 130,000 subscribers, over 10million views and has been featured in The Guardian, The Telegraph and the BBC. In 2018 he worked with Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Malala, and hosted the first Oxbridge Pakistan Access Conference, he also facilitated the first Cambridge Muslim Access Conference, and is currently the spokesperson for the first Oxford University access programme dedicated to British-Bangladeshi and British-Pakistanis. He has just completed his MSc in Higher Education at Oxford University and has written his thesis on ‘The Oxbridge experience for Free School Meal undergraduate students'. He will be working in Human Rights as a ‘Research fellow' for MLAG (Muslim Legal Action Group) before starting his Training Contract in 2023.

With over 26 years in business, Jacqui is highly experienced in Leading service delivery to some of the world's largest brands. Through Jacqui's background innovating in advertising, she understands the importance of communication in the workplace and brings a wealth of experience to her work with Genius Within. Couple that with her motivation, energy, and desire to change the world, she is a tour-de-force in the inclusion space. As one of three female Directors of Awarding-winning social enterprise Genius Within, Jacqui's role is to shape and grow Genius Within's inclusion work within the field of Neurodiversity. GW's work is strongly rooted in research, building consensus, and expanding understanding in the field of Neurodiversity at Work. Most recently they launched the Centre for Research for Neurodiversity at Work in collaboration with Birkbeck, University of London. As 90% of all disabilities are non-visible it is essential that neurominorities are not forgotten and as a Dyslexic woman, Jacqui knows all too well the common oversights that prevent inclusion from becoming a reality having masked her own condition for most of her professional life. As an advocate of equity at work within our society, Jacqui strongly believes in the power of purpose - ensuring that individuals are empowered to do what they can uniquely do and to work at their best. Working in a psychology-led practice, Jacqui and her team advise businesses on how to build inclusive workplaces and cultures, ensuring that neurominorities are able to bring their best self to work every day. She encourages a focus on the environment, not the individual, to engender positive and long-lasting change for her clients. Jacqui is passionate about the education system and is the Chair of a local charity providing affordable childcare to families. Genius Within have recently launched a youth program including a free mentoring service for young Autistic people, which is delivered by young autistic people, with lived experience. As well as The Blooming Genius Foundation, which aims to support the needs of young neurominorities in educational settings.

Jiten is a recognised Conscious Inclusion thought leader, an award-winning Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion strategist and practitioner, helping employers to maximise the benefits of diversity through consciously inclusive leadership, anti-racism, addressing cognitive biases and microaggressions, stereotype threat, and structural privilege. An accomplished diversity and inclusion author and strategist, with strong experience of public, private, education and third sectors, Jiten is the managing director of Diversync Limited and has headed diversity and inclusion at two international organisations. He is the recipient of a number of awards, including Diversity Champion of the Education Sector 2015, at the prestigious Excellence in Diversity Awards and 'Highly Commended' Head of D&I in the 2016 and 2017 Excellence in Diversity Awards. He is a judge for the UK's Inclusive Top 50 Companies Awards, and the author of Demystifying Diversity, which went into its 2nd Edition in 2020. A skilled trainer and facilitator, often working in complex environments, Jiten's client base spans a broad range of organisations from Blue Chip companies through to small local charities. Jiten started out in Financial Services where he worked in commercial banking, international trade finance, corporate relationship management, treasury operations, project management and finally in Equality and Diversity. Working as conscious inclusion thought leader, Jiten has undertaken a range of projects including: Inclusive Leadership coaching and mentoring Inclusive strategic planning and operational implementation Designing positive action programmes Developing staff diversity and inclusion networks Conducting diversity and inclusion audits Researching barriers to career progression for staff from diverse backgrounds Sourcing diverse talent pipelines, and Leading a range of strategic interventions

Job Titles:

• Criminal Defence Solicitor
• Member of the London Criminal Court Solicitors Association

Kishoree is a highly experienced Criminal Defence solicitor. She qualified as a Solicitor in 1986 and joined Sheratte Caleb & Co Solicitors in 1986, becoming a Partner in 1993 assisting them in acquiring membership of Serious Fraud Panel. Kishoree joined Freemans Solicitors in 2006, where she is a Partner Partner and joint Head of Criminal department; she is a specialist practitioner in complex cases ranging from murder, fraud, money laundering and Confiscation proceedings and criminal appeals. Kishoree specialises in difficult cases whether complex due to the facts or allegation or as a result of the legal matrix. Involved in reported cases, the most recent related to the instruction of intermediaries for vulnerable defendants. She is known for her attention to detail, tactical approach and effective support of her clients and her high level of expertise in her subject matter. She works with high calibre experts and is acknowledged by her clients and third parties for her unstinting commitment to her clients and cases. Kishoree recently represented a pharmacist acquitted of murder in a case of assisted suicide, she also successfully resisted the application of the General Pharmaceutical Council to remove him from the register, in what will be a high profile decision for the pharmaceutical profession. She is equally skilled at High-value frauds, often with international elements; successful resolution of confiscation cases, where millions of pounds are sought by prosecutors; and negotiating settlements of monies seized under forfeiture proceedings. She continues to act in all levels of criminal cases ranging from importation of drugs, to allegations of a violent or sexual nature. Kishoree has been a Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer every year since 2014. In the 2018 edition she was described as having "great depth of experience and knowledge of the criminal justice process' and ‘combines professionalism with humanity, charm, warmth and hard graft." She has also been a ranked lawyer in Chambers & Partners UK since 2017. In the 2019 Guide she was described as "always calm, in control and sensitive to clients‘ needs" and also praise her "excellent mastery of the material and vigorous pursuit of defence strategy." Kishoree was presented with the Society of Asian Lawyers' Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award in 2013 by Sailesh Mehta Co-chair of SAL and The Rt Hon Sadiq Khan MP. In the words of the organisers "this Award marks Kishoree's unstinting dedication to assisting those on Legal Aid and her active involvement in the campaign to protect those who may lose this valuable right." In 2018, Kishoree was awarded the Highly Commended BSN Lifetime Achievement Award at the UK Diversity Legal Awards 2018. Described by one of her nominators (Natasha Wong QC) as having "dedicated herself to furthering and promoting the equality, diversity and inclusion of all genders and ethnic backgrounds, both within the community and the legal profession. She has never wavered in her commitment and has been at the forefront of several major initiatives that have made a real difference to countless people entering and within the legal profession, as well as to the many who did not know where to turn to for help within the community. Her tireless work with some of the most vulnerable people across all ethnic backgrounds makes her a highly effective champion in the field. She has changed and saved lives; inspired countless people of all backgrounds and ethnic origins to pursue and develop their dreams of a legal career, at a time when few were prepared to devote themselves to helping others to progress. She is the worthiest of nominees for this award". Kishoree is a member of the London Criminal Court Solicitors Association, a founder member of the Society of Asian Lawyers and serving Board member of the Association of Women Solicitors. She also served as a University governor for nine years.

Lara Joannides is the BBC's Creative Diversity Lead for 50:50 and News. She oversees initiatives to support the corporation's aspiration to fairly represent society across all of its content, including the multi-award-winning 50:50 The Equality Project. Prior to leading 50:50, Lara worked as a journalist for domestic and international News outlets across the BBC, with a particular focus on reaching underserved audiences."

Job Titles:

• Founder and Managing Director of Benefactum Consulting
• Strategist

Leanne Mair is the Founder and Managing Director of Benefactum Consulting, a dynamic firm devoted to promoting gender equality in the workplace. After over a decade of experience as an asset management professional with companies such as PIMCO and BlueBay Asset Management and oversight of projects with over USD 200 billion in AUM, Leanne has forged a new career and consultancy focused on designing and implementing strategies to improve the workplace. Leveraging her background and personal experience, Leanne founded Benefactum Consulting to help companies identify and navigate key challenges and create meaningful impact with their gender equality initiatives, ensuring that all women win. Leanne is a strategist with laser focus and clarity. She brings to the table broad international experience helping organisations create environments where female employees, especially Black female employees, feel valued and seen, allowing them and their companies to thrive. Leanne is also a passionate and talented communicator. From personal coaching and mentorship to initiatives including seminars, a podcast, and a live show designed to reach larger audiences, Leanne fosters conversation and understanding that lead to positive change. It is Leanne's profound belief that it is possible for all of us - individuals and organisations - to envision and achieve transformative strategies that contribute to a more inclusive, gender equal world. A commitment to equity combined with thoughtful planning and powered by action are key to innovation and progress toward that goal. Leanne is honoured to serve as a Board Advisor to XOCO Unlimited, a non-profit organisation that partners with grassroots organizations and world-class companies to empower marginalized young women, helping them escape exploitation through education and global initiatives that promote system-level change.

Marcia Brissett-Bailey, has featured in Forbes, a narrative changer, provoking the representation of Dyslexia. Nominated for the Stereotype Buster of the year category at the 2021 Celebrating Neurodiversity Awards! She is a Special Educational Needs consultant, and speaker talking about education and the workplace with an entrepreneur mind-set which she believes is a gift from her Dyslexia, seeing her ideas in pictures and thinking outside the box. She is also an advocate and champion of Dyslexia and neurodiversity. Board Adviser Member of the Centre for Neurodiversity Research at work, judge panellist member at the Celebrating Neurodiversity Awards! Marcia is invited as a guest speaker by various organisations and charities, sharing her experiences and personal lived journey of Dyslexia. A co-founder of the British Dyslexia Cultural Perspective Committee, trustee at the Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association, which she hopes will enable others who are dyslexic/neurodivergent find their voices, especially from cultural perspective. Marcia has achieved a BSc in information science, postgraduate in career guidance, certificate in person-centred counselling skills, a diploma in specialist teaching & Learning, a MA in special educational needs and L3 IPSEA trained. She has worked in the education community sector for the last 30 years, and has provided information, advice and guidance in higher and post 16 education as well as being a SEND lead. Marcia is an author with a passion for creative writing and performing arts. She is also already featured in two books, ‘Dyslexia from a Cultural Perspective', and ‘The Bigger Picture Book of Amazing Dyslexics and the Jobs They Do'. As a qualified careers adviser, she has a particular focus on personal development, helping young people to achieve their full potential and aspirations by setting personal goals.

Job Titles:

• Leader
• Business Ethics and Compliance Leader, Mary MacInnes

Mary is an experienced leader in academic publishing, having spent over twenty years working in the area on both sides of the Atlantic. Mary is an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities in the workplace. Whilst working at Tideway (building London's Super Sewer), she helped establish and led their Ability Action Group. She has written about and advised on issues such as accessibility, equality of opportunity and disability rights generally.

An award-winning practitioner, Mohamed (affectionately known as Mo) has been working in the field of equality, diversity and inclusion for nearly 20 years, starting in the voluntary sector, then moving on to FE & HE education, and currently in the NHS. With a background in teaching, and lecturing, Mo has a demonstrable track record of designing, developing and delivering well-researched and high-quality EDI interventions. He is renowned for his training and development courses, public and motivational speaking, and engagement programmes. From organising largescale EDI conferences and delivering thematic mini-talks in team meetings, to providing 1:1 coaching and mentoring to senior leaders and setting up staff networks and groups, Mo is seen as a dynamic, creative and contemporary thought-leader, influencer and partner who has immense good-will for the organisations he works with, setting them on a path to succeed that is realistic and achievable.

Naseem's background and training is in the area of Business Psychology. She is in the School of Management and Marketing and lead modules on Leadership at levels 5 and 6; and Organisational Behaviour at level 4 on BABM Marketing courses. Her interest is in the application of academic and theoretical knowledge to practical situations. As such, she has taught and worked in industry, side by side. She has been teaching and developing curricula in various Higher Educational establishments for over 25 years and has worked extensively in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. In addition, she has also formed and run three companies, working with Small and Medium Enterprises to improve and enhance their leadership and people-skills. Her work has focussed on Stress Management and Well Being and she is an accredited Coach and Mindfulness (MBSR) certified practitioner.

Nelson is an organisational Culture and Inclusion leader with significant experience in driving transformations that unlock the potential in teams and organisations through building high performing and inclusive cultures, behaviours, mindsets and habits. An award winning executive he has been recognised by the Financial Times and EMPower as one of the Top 30 Future Leaders in the U.K. for contributions to workplace inclusion and talent management. Nelson is the author of ‘Rise of the 2020 Leader - Entering a new era of Trust, Purpose and Inclusion'. The book was ranked in the Top 50 Business Management and Leadership books category on Amazon. He is also a regular speaker and story teller at corporate and leadership events as well as industry conferences on the topics of high performing teams, organisational culture, leadership and Diversity & Inclusion. Nelson was invited to be a judge at the U.K. Employee Experience Awards for the ‘Most Innovative Employee Engagement Initiative' category. He also judged the ‘Global HR Leader of the Year' award at the Leadership Excellence Awards hosted by GDS.

Nick has 25 years' experience within the Recruitment Sector, delivering flexible workforce solutions and advising all parties in the supply chain how best to navigate the UK regulatory landscape. In recent years Nick has spent a lot of his time helping Private Sector clients to engage a flexible workforce in a compliant manner in the face of the evolution of IR35. Equally important is the contractor / interim worker community and Nick and his team continue to take great care to advise and support these individuals throughout this highly disruptive time.

Rebecca is a leading expert and thought leader on employment status, off-payroll working and IR35 and is the author of CEST Explained. Recently she won the Contracting Industry Influencer of the Year 2023 and last year won the FSB Self-employed Sole Trader of the Year. She was also shortlisted for Outstanding Contribution to Taxation 2020-21 in the Tolley's Taxation Awards for her campaigning work during the Covid pandemic. Rebecca set up her legal consultancy, Re Legal Consulting Ltd, when the Inland Revenue brought in the IR35 tax initiative some 23 years ago. Since then Rebecca has specialised on IR35, off-payroll working and the employment and tax status of the self-employed and personal service companies. She works with clients nationally and internationally, the private and the public sector, with representative organisations and government. Rebecca was seconded to the Office of Tax Simplification (an independent body of HM Treasury) as a Senior Policy Adviser to advise the government on employment and tax status. Reporting direct to the Chancellor, Rebecca was part of a small team of experts who drafted the Employment Status Review 2015 and the Small Company Taxation review [2016] leading on the taxation of nano companies and the self-employed. Rebecca developed the concept of SEPA, providing a vehicle to the self-employed to be able to protect the family home. Rebecca was also a representative on the Cross-Government Working Group on Employment Status and also published the review into the taxation of the Gig Economy. She is a member of the Tax Faculty of the ICAEW and is a consultant to the British Universities Finance Directors Group (BUFDG) and Urgent Health UK, amongst others. She has recently written a book called CEST Explained which, as the title suggests, explains HMRC's digital tool Check Employment Status for Tax. Rebecca is often quoted in the press including the Financial Times, the Telegraph and the Times amongst others. She also contributes to the professional press and writes articles on employment status. Rebecca has most recently started a campaign for the regulation of umbrella companies and the protection of umbrella company workers. She does this voluntarily by drafting policy documents for the government to use to bring forward legislation.

Job Titles:

• Accountant and Tax Advisor

Robert is an experienced accountant and tax advisor, having specialised in human capital taxes since he joined Price Waterhouse (now PwC) in 1994. Robert has also spent 8 years with EY and has been with Blick Rothenberg since 2016. During his career, Robert has provided support for the full range of human capital and employment taxes including: Robert has been published in various professional magazines including Governance & Compliance, Tax Adviser and Accounting & Business and has been quoted in papers such as The Times and Daily Telegraph. Robert is also a member of ACCA's International Tax Forum and sits on HMRC's Employment and Expatriate Tax Forum and is also a member of CPA Ireland, The Chartered Governance Institute and the Association of Taxation Technicians.

Job Titles:

• Reward Specialist

Ruth Wilson is a Pay and Reward specialist who she started her career in HR with the NHS on the Graduate Management programme where she gained her Masters degree in HR Management. After finishing the programme, she joined East Sussex County Council in the HR Department. She has worked for the Council for 10 years and has many different roles within HR in her time, implementing new terms and conditions, manging change and leading on strategic pay and reward projects. In 2017 she was managing the Council's temporary agency staffing contract and was responsible for implementing the IR35 changes for the Council for both the agency workers and directly commissioned consultants. In addition to getting to grips with what the changes meant in practice for the Council she also had to work closely with the Council's Procurement department to identify and engage with hundreds of consultants and the managers who commissioned them. The project to implement the changes took over a year and changes and improvements to the internal IR35 process are still being made today. The changes in 2021 have given her the opportunity to re-engage with commissioning managers and develop e-learning to support managers understand the complex world of IR35

Job Titles:

• Deputy President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation

Susan has over 30 years' experience working extensively in the employment tax, investigations and reward field. She has a breadth of experience in dealing with all aspects of PAYE and Social Security in the UK and overseas as well as the Construction Industry Scheme, employee benefits and expenses, compliance and employment status issues together with reward planning including salary sacrifice, from both an advisory and compliance point of view. Susan is an experienced presenter and writes regularly for a number of publications. She also regularly liaises with the HMRC policy team. Susan is the current Deputy President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) and sits on the employment taxes committee. She is a Fellow of CIOT and a member of ATT, as well as being an associate member of CIPP. Susan was included in the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Reward Strategy's Reward 300 Hall of Fame and the Accountancy Age Financial Power List 2019.