Energised for Change: JourneyHR at the IPA Talent + Diversity Conference
Last week, our Co-Founder Aliya Vigor-Robertson and Senior HR Consultant Caroline Hughes attended the IPA Talent + Diversity Conference – an event that served as both a reminder of how far we’ve come and a wake-up call for how far we still need to go.
The theme of unity underscored the day, but what became clear to us is that unity must be backed by meaningful action and measurable impact.
The agenda was packed with a wide range of discussions around inclusion, but one standout moment for us was the powerful keynote delivered by David Harewood. Sharing his personal journey through mental health challenges and experiences of racism, he offered a striking piece of advice from his therapist:
“Get comfortable with the uncomfortable.”
It resonated deeply — a reminder that true inclusion work often means facing difficult truths head-on.
Another poignant moment came during the panel led by Outvertising CEO Chris Dunne. When the audience were asked by Isabelle Bale whether their organisation had a "transitioning at work" policy, only a small number of hands went up. That silence spoke volumes. It was a clear and sobering indication of how far we still have to go — and how vital this work is, particularly in a climate where EDI efforts are increasingly being challenged or deprioritised.
For us at JourneyHR, this was more than a conference.
It was an energiser to continue to champion and accelerate change. We came away clearer than ever on our purpose: to help businesses not just talk about inclusion, but embed it into the DNA of their culture, practices, and leadership.
That’s why we partner with forward-thinking companies to:
Write and implement inclusive EDI strategies
Deliver training on equal opportunities and inclusive leadership
Review policies and practices with an equity-first lens
Support practical steps to measure the impact of EDI like ethnicity and gender pay gap reporting
The work is ongoing, and the responsibility is collective. If your business is ready to take action — or unsure where to begin — we’re here to support you.