NBCC' s workshop - Elevating DEI – Turning Intentions into Action

Elevating DEI – Turning Intentions into Action

Date: 29 April 2025

Time: 08.30am - 11.30am

Location: DNV's office, 30 Stamford Street, London SE1 9LQ

DEI initiatives should result in real, measurable change in the workplace, yet DEI is often perceived as an initiative primarily for women, frequently centred around social gatherings focused on “women in the workplace.” However, DEI impacts everyone and requires commitment from all members of an organisation for lasting progress.

Join us and our hosts DNV, for an engaging panel discussion and workshops featuring leaders from some of the most forward-thinking Scandinavian businesses where DEI isn’t just a talking point, it is considered a strategic and competitive advantage. 

Insights shared will contribute to a white paper with actionable initiatives for implementation in your own business.

What to expect:

Insights from industry leaders who have successfully integrated DEI into their business strategies

• Challenges and implications
• Practical, actionable solutions that go beyond borders and regulations
• A collaborative discussion on how DEI affects both men and women 

Let's address real-world DEI challenges together.

Panel discussion:

Moderator:

Hari Vamadevan, is Senior Vice President at DNV.  He has over 30 years’ experience in various leadership positions across the energy and shipping sectors.  He sits on the Energy Systems Executive Leadership Team.

He is currently the Regional Director of Energy Systems operations in the UK and Ireland, leading an 800-strong advisory and assurance team across the entire Energy System – Renewables, Power Grids and Oil & Gas.  He is focused on helping customers making the transition to a decarbonised energy future and with a positive biodiversity impact. He is an authority on the complex facets of the whole systems approach to the energy transition.

He is also chairperson of all DNV’s UK and Ireland businesses.  He is a graduate of Imperial College, London and holds a master’s in chemical engineering.

Panellists:

Dr Catherine Allsop
VP Subsurface UK, Development and Production International, Equinor

Catherine is a British National with over 28 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and has held various leadership roles in exploration and production. She been in Equinor since 2002 and has a BSc in Geology & Geophysics from Durham university and a PhD from Oxford University.

Currently Catherine holds the position of Vice President Subsurface and is responsible for all subsurface oil and gas activities in the U.K. from access to abandonment. She has mainly worked in the UK but spent to 2 years in a leadership position in Norway.

From a leadership perspective Catherine has a special interest in leadership development, coaching, mentoring and is a strong ambassador for women in STEM and Geosciences. She is a member of the International Women’s Forum (IWF) and has recently set up a local branch of a Women’s ERG in the UK to promote and support women in the energy sector. Through that she supports the UK Country Manager as part of the Powerful Women Energy Leaders Coalition (PwF ELC) which has a target to have women in at least 40% of middle management and leadership roles in the UK energy sector by 2030. She is also an active member Equinor’s Women’s Health ERG.

Catherine’s overall purpose is to make a sustainable impact on others by using her experience and privilege to drive change

Anders Grevstad, is an experienced banking executive at Norway's largest bank DNB Bank ASA. He is currently resident in London and serves as Head of CEMEA and CEO of DNB (UK) Ltd. He has been with DNB since 2000 and his previous roles include EVP for International Corporate Clients, Transaction Banking and Business Development. He also has an extensive experience from non-executive board positions including Invidem AB and Doorstep AS. Anders holds an MSc in Economics from Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) and has completed executive programs from IMD and Harvard. He is married to Mie with three sons and enjoys outdoor activities. Anders is dedicated to promote a diverse working environment and developing talents for the future.

Mairi McHaffe, worked with emerging and senior leaders for over 16 years, Mairi designs and delivers bespoke people development and talent initiatives globally across the sectors.  She specialises in Behavioural Change and Inclusion and Equality career development initiatives across the diversity strands.  She is founder of the UK Houses of Parliament Women into Leadership Mentoring Programme and a regular trainer for the University of Oxford.

Building on her classroom and conference work, she has delivered a multitude of virtual, global, interactive learning events, enabling cross cultural clients to manage change, support their people and customers and effectively evolve behaviours.

Workshops:

Intersectionality

Julie Dempster is a Team Lead within DNV’s Energy Systems Business based in the UK. She has worked at DNV for the past 12 years in both project delivery roles and leadership positions. She is also a member of DNV Energy System’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Board. The DEI Advisory Board advises and supports DNV Energy Systems’ Executive Leadership Team on implementing DEI initiatives. Additionally, the DEI Advisory Board meets regularly with DNV’s CEO for the Energy Systems business to discuss progress and new initiatives.

Policy vs Culture

Ms Susan Falch-Lovesey  FRGS 

Sue Falch-Lovesey is Equinor’s UK Head of Social Value. Sue has a 30-year track record of establishing and developing environmental projects and services at various scales for charity, local authorities, private organisations and corporate bodies.  Previously she has been a stakeholder lead in offshore wind in the East of England for both Equinor and Vattenfall; A Learning and Skills Advisor and Head of Environmental and Outdoor Learning Services for Norfolk Country Council and has run and established new outdoor education centres and environmental programmes for The National Trust in both Norfolk and South Wales. 

Sue is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, is very committed to bringing active Equity, Diversity and Inclusion to the energy and skills transition and enjoys being Chair of the UK Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) Investment in Talent Group and sits on the OPITO (UK and Europe) Industry Advisory Council. 

Skills & Training In The Workplace

Georgina Huntley, People & Culture Director, ManpowerGroup UK

Georgina is People & Culture Director of ManpowerGroup UK, responsible for coordinating people and culture, HR, talent acquisition, early-in-career, DEIB and wellbeing initiatives across the Group.

Georgina joined ManpowerGroup in 2006 as a Business Manager for Manpower UK. She has held several senior talent roles, including Talent Programme Manager and Head of Employee Career & Development for ManpowerGroup UK, before becoming People & Culture Director and a member of the UK Leadership Team in 2021.

Georgina has a been a licensed Mental Health First Aider since 2019 and has volunteered as a school governor.

Women's Health:

Torild Boe-Stokes, co-founder of  Your Health. Our Wealth, is a CPD-accredited menopause coach and speaker, dedicated to advancing menopause awareness and practical workplace solutions.

While navigating perimenopause, she was juggling a demanding career in London’s corporate world, a separation, and raising three young boys. Exhaustion, anxiety, and depleted energy left her  feeling like she didn't recognize herself. 

That journey inspired Torild to support other women in having a better menopause experience - one that feels empowered, not depleting. She  became an CPD-accredited menopause coach, building on her yoga teacher training and IPEC coach certification to create a holistic, results-driven approach.

Through coaching, workshops, and talks, Torild now help women regain energy, confidence, and clarity while guiding organisations to support female health as a strategic priority.

Reserve your spot now for limited Early Bird prices!

Early Bird Price: £25 including VAT and booking fee until 31 March 2025

From 1 April the registration fee is £40 including VAT and booking fee.

Limited Availability – First Come, First Served 

Ordinary ticket sales close: Midday 28 April 2025