Sue Liburd MBE wins Director of the Year Award 2021 for EDI
We are delighted to celebrate with Sue as she receives the Institute of Directors (IOD) Director of the Year Award 2021 for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (Midlands Region). Sue champions diversity and inclusion in all that she does, promoting the importance and understanding of intersectionality and equality as a driver for business success. She is a consulting partner at the EGC and also one of our PhD students. Well done Sue!
The combination of #Metoo, Black lives matter, Covid pandemic, Brexit and a rise in employee activism has meant the past two years has produced exceptionally tough operating conditions, for companies and organisations of all sizes. This has forced company directors and owner managers to reassess their thinking, business models and policies. They have had to respond at speed and take bold, innovative decisions. That's where I came in. As a non-executive director, confidante, advisor, or mentor I have worked with directors across a range of sectors supporting them to think differently about how to deliver their services, and look after their people during a challenging time of rapid change. Without people there is no organisation. Without a healthy inclusive workplace culture, where individuals regardless of status are listened to, valued and respected, organisations are unable to respond quickly to economic and social demands. Non adaptive organisations ultimately do not survive.
Imagine my surprise when I received notification from the Institute of Directors (IOD) that I had been nominated for an award and a request for more detailed information and references to support the submission. Working quietly behind the scenes with leaders, my work is not usually in the public domain nor does it usually attract much fanfare. The IOD are one of the few cross-sector Awards that celebrates senior leadership talent, success, and achievement. Nominees for Director of the year awards are drawn from across the private, public and third sectors and reflect the diversity of businesses across the region. I had no expectation of winning, particularly when I saw the list of other finalists. I am humbled to have achieved this award and I hope it is a reminder to us all, that our work does make a difference and doesn't always go unnoticed.
Sue Liburd MBE DL
Sue was awarded an MBE in 2016 in recognition for her services to Business, Charities and Voluntary organisations, and was named among the HERoes 100 Women Executives in 2020. Sue is Deputy Chair and BAME Lead for the NHS England Armed Forces Public Patient Voice (PPV) Advisory Group, Member of the Seacole Group (national BAME NHSE NEDs Group), Council Member of the Memorial Gates, Founding member of the Black Leaders Forum, and Chair of the Black Inclusion Week Task Force.
