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Listen "Diversity & Inclusion - Devi Virdi - Centrica - Sustain Talks - Episode 32"
Episode Synopsis
In this week’s Sustain Talks I am talking to Devi Virdi. Devi is the Group Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Centrica plc. She has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality and tech industry across HR, sales, marketing, operations. Devi sits on several UK and Global committees supporting and driving diversity, equity & inclusion. She is a mentor with women both in Fast Forward15 2021 program and The Girls Network 2021.
As a child, Devi felt the pain of not fitting in and suffering the fear of rejection and reality of exclusion but with a strong role model in the shape of her mum! Devi has gone on to achieve amazing things and is now able to support and inspire others.
In this Sustain Talks Sam and Devi explore what Centrica are doing
• to make employees feel included
• to get people to talk about difficult and uncomfortable topics (CEO Chris O’Shea is perfectly happy to talk about menopause!)
• and how with an engineering population of only 2% women they are looking to inspire the next generation of women engineers!
Changes must be made right now! The pace is accelerating, it’s a given for the younger generation who insist on inclusion and diversity. Want to know how you can make a difference?
There are three things… listen to find out what they are!
00:52 - introduction, who is Devi Virdi?
03:00 - What does diversity, equity & inclusion mean to you and Centrica.
07:12 - how do you have an impact in a male-orientated industry? How do you change that?
10:33 - What is your approach to dealing with discussions about potentially difficult topics, such as race, religion, politics, or sexual orientation?
15:58 - CEO Chris O’Shea speaks about menopause, such a great leader, what’s it like working with him?
17:56 - What are your thoughts on equal pay? Do you think that women aren’t being paid as much as men? And if so, why?
21:36 – Inspiring unrepresented groups that engineering can be an option.
23:20 - Have you seen much change in the last 2 years in diversity & inclusion? Is it moving quickly enough?
28:08 – What is Devi’s advice for starting with D&I for businesses?
31:10 - Who inspires you to do what you do?
As a child, Devi felt the pain of not fitting in and suffering the fear of rejection and reality of exclusion but with a strong role model in the shape of her mum! Devi has gone on to achieve amazing things and is now able to support and inspire others.
In this Sustain Talks Sam and Devi explore what Centrica are doing
• to make employees feel included
• to get people to talk about difficult and uncomfortable topics (CEO Chris O’Shea is perfectly happy to talk about menopause!)
• and how with an engineering population of only 2% women they are looking to inspire the next generation of women engineers!
Changes must be made right now! The pace is accelerating, it’s a given for the younger generation who insist on inclusion and diversity. Want to know how you can make a difference?
There are three things… listen to find out what they are!
00:52 - introduction, who is Devi Virdi?
03:00 - What does diversity, equity & inclusion mean to you and Centrica.
07:12 - how do you have an impact in a male-orientated industry? How do you change that?
10:33 - What is your approach to dealing with discussions about potentially difficult topics, such as race, religion, politics, or sexual orientation?
15:58 - CEO Chris O’Shea speaks about menopause, such a great leader, what’s it like working with him?
17:56 - What are your thoughts on equal pay? Do you think that women aren’t being paid as much as men? And if so, why?
21:36 – Inspiring unrepresented groups that engineering can be an option.
23:20 - Have you seen much change in the last 2 years in diversity & inclusion? Is it moving quickly enough?
28:08 – What is Devi’s advice for starting with D&I for businesses?
31:10 - Who inspires you to do what you do?
More episodes of the podcast Responsible Futures
Breaking Barriers: Empowering Change Through Diversity, Equity & Inclusion with Hephzi Pemberton
22/05/2024
Breaking point: Overcoming the workplace mental health crisis with Lorri Haines, CEO of Shoorah
10/04/2024
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