An inclusive workforce offers companies a distinct competitive advantage. Enhanced profits, innovation, growth, and employee wellbeing. Companies with a diverse and inclusive workforce respond better to the needs and demands of global clients and corporations. Yet creating an environment which is inclusive of all talent is not straightforward. This will be a panel discussion on ‘Inclusion in the City’, a report that gives practical insights from behavioural science research to the problems and solutions posed by people who understand the financial and services industry the best: its own talent.

This event will also announce The Inclusion Initiative (@LSE_TII) at LSE. A new research programme that will create new partnerships between world-class academics, the finance and professional services sector and visionary business leaders. Leveraging insights from behavioural science TII aims to move participating firms towards an environment which is inclusive of all talent, to the benefit of bottom line. 

Grace Lordan (@GraceLordan_) is Associate Professor in Behavioural Science at LSE and the founding director of The Inclusion Initiative. An economist by background, Grace’s research is focused on understanding why some individuals succeed over others in work because of factors beyond their control. Grace’s research and consultancy draws on the cutting- edge methodological techniques of behavioural science and economics to design and analyse interventions that help understand and change employment outcomes, conduct at work, diversity and inclusion within occupations, occupational sorting and worker wellbeing.  Grace is a regular speaker in the financial services sector on these topics. Grace has also led projects advising commissioners in the UK and policy makers in the EU. At LSE Grace is an associate professor in Behavioural Science, trains executives in behavioural science through her teaching on corporate behaviour and decision making and is the director of the MSc in behavioural science.

Karina Robinson (@_KarinaRobinson) is a founding co-director of The Inclusion Initiative: Financial and Professional Service Focus. Karina is also the Founder and CEO of Robinson Hambro. The firm specialises in Board search and Chairman advisory; including advising companies with a global outlook by drawing on the experience of a multilingual and multidisciplinary team. Karina sits on the Court of Governors at LSE and is a member of the LSE Finance Committee. In the City of London Karina is a known disruptor. Karina is the Chair of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal Advisory Board; a Trustee of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and Master of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers (2019/2020). Karina was an Advisory Board member of the Global Female Leaders’ Summit from its 2013 inception to the summer of 2019.

Irshaad Ahmad is Head of Institutional Europe and a member of the European Executive Committee of Allianz Global Investors. He has business development and client coverage responsibilities for institutional clients in Europe and chairs the European Institutional Executive Committee. Irshaad joined AllianzGI in January 2016 from AXA Investment Managers where he was Head of UK and Nordics and had been CEO UK since 2011.

Richard Nesbitt is Professor at the Rotman School of Management, Retired COO of CIBC and Retired CEO of Toronto Stock Exchange.

Teresa Parker is president for EMEA, responsible for Northern Trust’s business and regulatory affairs in the region. Teresa also sits on Northern Trust Corporation’s Management Group. Prior to her appointment to lead the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, Teresa spent three years as the chief operating officer for Asset Servicing with global responsibility for Northern Trust’s business capabilities, technology and operating model. 

Brenda Trenowden is a Partner in PwC UK and Global co-chair of the 30% Club. Prior to joining PwC Brenda led the Financial Institutions Group in Europe for ANZ Bank, was a member of their UK Management Board. She has also worked for a number of global financial institutions including BNY Mellon, Lloyds Banking Group, BNP Paribas, Peregrine and Citi.

Minouche Shafik is Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science. Prior to this she was Deputy Governor of the Bank of England. 

Twitter hashtags for this event: #LSEFestival #ShapetheWorld

This event is part of the LSE Festival: Shape the World running from Monday 2 to Saturday 7 March 2020, with a series of events exploring how social science can make the world a better place. 

Podcast & Video

A podcast and video of this event is available to download from Using Behavioural Science for Inclusion in the City.

Podcasts and videos of many LSE events can be found at the LSE Public Lectures and Events: podcasts and videos channel.