Name
Breaking the ally stigma: How senior leaders can drive real change through allyship
Date & Time
Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 11:20 AM - 11:50 AM
Speakers
Matthew Jones, Nationwide Building Society
Theodora Leonidou, Handelsbanken
Lindsay Lindsay, Snap Finance
Lindsay Gustafsson, Novuna
Theodora Leonidou, Handelsbanken
Lindsay Lindsay, Snap Finance
Lindsay Gustafsson, Novuna
Description
Many leaders avoid diversity as a topic due to fear of saying the wrong thing or believing it’s "not for them." This session tackles how to reframe allyship as a leadership competency, not a checkbox exercise. Panelists will share how they’ve engaged colleagues and normalised participation in D&I efforts.
Key Takeaways:
- Actionable strategies for leaders to advocate for under-represented employees in meetings, promotions, and leadership pipelines
- Why women hold back from allyship
- How to measure allyship impact (e.g., sponsorship programs, diversity in succession planning)
- How to address pushback Role modelling from leaders who actively participate in D&I
Impact: Leave with a clear roadmap to embed allyship into leadership behaviours, improving retention and leadership diversity.
Location Name
Main Stage
Full Address
Hilton London Bankside
London
United Kingdom
London
United Kingdom
Session Type
Panel