2025 Schedules

Uniting Changemakers

We are thrilled to unveil the comprehensive schedule for the upcoming UnderOne Festival, a two-day event dedicated to celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion. From thought-provoking keynote speeches to engaging panel discussions and interactive workshops, the festival promises to be a transformative experience for all attendees.

Festival
Awards
Festival
July 10, 2025
9:30 am

Registration and Arrival - Refreshments + Exhibitors

First Floor Foyer
10:10 am

Opening remarks

The Hive
10:15 am

Welcome poetry performance

The Hive
10:25 am

Fireside Chat: Make It Count: Embedding Inclusion in a World That’s Watching

The Hive
Frederick Afrifa - Global keynote, TEDx and speaker and coach, As seen on BBC Apprentice - Believe in GreatnessAlan Holmes - Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Clyde & Co
10:50 am

Transition Break

First Floor Foyer
11:00 am

Case Study Workshop: Making a Difference: Embedding Inclusion and Sustainability into Company DNA

The Hive
Briony Grogan - People and Culture Director - Pan Macmillan

Briony Grogan, Director of People & Culture at PanMacmillan, shares an inspiring blueprint for creating an authentically inclusive and sustainable corporate culture. Discover the power of employee-led networks, mentorship programs, equitable pay initiatives, and industry-wide engagement practices to drive lasting organisational change.

11:00 am

Case-Study Workshop: Building High-Impact ERGs: Everywhen’s Winning Strategy

Collaboration Forum
Andy Walker - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager - Everywhen

Everywhen's award-winning Disability ERG – recognised with the 2024 UnderOne Trailblazer ERG Award – has become a blueprint for ERG success across the organisation. In this session, Andrew Walker and colleagues will share how they built a powerful Disability ERG that not only drives cultural change but also inspired the growth of other impactful networks, including their LGBT+ ERG and the Menopause subgroup of their Gender ERG.

11:40 am

Transition Break

First Floor Foyer
11:50 am

Equally Yours - Diversity Game-Based Learning

The Hive
Akin Thomas - Chief Executive Officer - AKD Solutions

Discover Equally Yours, a dynamic learning solution fostering awareness and understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion. Through engaging gameplay, participants navigate questions, scenarios, and activities, accumulating points and sparking meaningful conversations. From factual inquiries to real-life scenarios and thought-provoking discussions, Equally Yours offers a comprehensive yet flexible approach to transformative learning. Join us on this journey of exploration and growth.

11:50 am

Inclusion Escape Room: Step into their shoes. Break down barriers.

Escape Rooms Corridor
Simeon Quarrie - Founder and CEO - Vivida

Experience inclusion like never before. The Inclusion Escape Room challenges you to step into the shoes of others, navigate diverse perspectives, and solve real-world scenarios – all while racing against the clock. Work in small teams, sharpen your problem-solving skills, and uncover the power of empathy in this high-impact, immersive experience. Are you ready to escape your comfort zone?

11:50 am

Improv for Inclusion: Think Fast. Connect Faster.

Collaboration Forum
Monica Gaga - British-born black African queer host, improviser, facilitator, maker and performer.Christina Murdock - Operations & People Leader, Award-Winning Playwright, Actor & Opera Singer.

Join this high-energy, immersive session where quick thinking meets real connection. The Improv for Inclusion experience uses the art of improvisation to break down barriers, build trust, and unlock the power of authentic communication. Expect to laugh, listen, and learn as you step outside your comfort zone and discover the power of saying “yes, and...” in building inclusive cultures. Ready to think on your feet?

12:30 pm

Networking Lunch

First Floor Foyer
1:30 pm

InclusionX LIVE PITCH powered by Diversity X: Elevating Underestimated Founders, Amplifying Diverse Innovations

The Hive
Kevin Withane - CEO & Co-founder - Diversity X

Experience the dynamic InclusionX Pitch, powered by Diversity X VC, where underestimated founders take centre stage to showcase their innovative ventures. Engage directly with inspiring entrepreneurs presenting groundbreaking ideas, disruptive solutions, and impactful businesses. This high-energy session is designed to foster meaningful connections with visonary leaders eager to champion and invest in inclusive innovation.

1:30 pm

The Hidden Toll – What is the Cost of Inclusion Work for Practitioners?

Collaboration Forum
Emily Foster - The Third Culture

As DEI practitioners create space for others, who holds space for them? This session will explore the psychological toll of leading inclusion work in an increasingly challenging climate. Drawing on practitioner insights and high-level research, the conversation will examine whether inclusion leaders receive adequate support, what factors may hinder this and how to overcome them. Facilitators will lead an open dialogue on psychological safety, the challenges that keep practitioners awake at night and how we can care for ourselves while driving change.

2:00 pm

Transition Break

First Floor Foyer
2:10 pm

Case Study Workshop: Empathy Unlocked: Harnessing Neurodiversity to Transform Workplace Culture

The Hive
Yasmine Alani  - Head of Creative Learning, DEI & Culture - Media Zoo 

Led by Yasmine Alani, Director of Transformation at MediaZoo, this interactive workshop explores how innovative storytelling, gamification, and digital experiences can significantly elevate understanding and inclusion of neurodiversity. Learn practical methods to build empathy across your teams and cultivate a workplace culture where everyone thrives.

2:10 pm

Case Study Workshop: Breaking Barriers: Blueprint for Driving Social Mobility in Your Organisation

Collaboration Forum
Jon Hering - Chief Commercial Officer - TalentMapper

Join Jon Hering, Chief Commercial Officer at Talent Mapper, to unpack how strategic partnerships and targeted initiatives can profoundly impact social mobility. Gain firsthand and actionable insights from Jon's successful strategies to expand socioeconomic diversity and support talent from all backgrounds within your organisation.

2:50 pm

Transition Break

First Floor Foyer
3:00 pm

Equally Yours - Diversity Game-Based Learning

The Hive
Akin Thomas - Chief Executive Officer - AKD Solutions

Discover Equally Yours, a dynamic learning solution fostering awareness and understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion. Through engaging gameplay, participants navigate questions, scenarios, and activities, accumulating points and sparking meaningful conversations. From factual inquiries to real-life scenarios and thought-provoking discussions, Equally Yours offers a comprehensive yet flexible approach to transformative learning. Join us on this journey of exploration and growth.

3:00 pm

Inclusion Escape Room: Step into their shoes. Break down barriers.

Escape Rooms Corridor
Simeon Quarrie - Founder and CEO - Vivida

Experience inclusion like never before. The Inclusion Escape Room challenges you to step into the shoes of others, navigate diverse perspectives, and solve real-world scenarios – all while racing against the clock. Work in small teams, sharpen your problem-solving skills, and uncover the power of empathy in this high-impact, immersive experience. Are you ready to escape your comfort zone?

3:00 pm

Improv for Inclusion: Think Fast. Connect Faster.

Collaboration Forum
Monica Gaga - British-born black African queer host, improviser, facilitator, maker and performer.Christina Murdock - Operations & People Leader, Award-Winning Playwright, Actor & Opera Singer.

Join this high-energy, immersive session where quick thinking meets real connection. The Improv for Inclusion experience uses the art of improvisation to break down barriers, build trust, and unlock the power of authentic communication. Expect to laugh, listen, and learn as you step outside your comfort zone and discover the power of saying “yes, and...” in building inclusive cultures. Ready to think on your feet?

3:40 pm

Afternoon Refreshments and Networking

First Floor Foyer
4:00 pm

Panel A: ERG Systems that Scale: Influence, Insight & Impact

The Hive
James Hollis - Talent Acquisition Disability ERG, (Switzerland) - NovartisAnna Verlezza - Senior Customer Education Specialist - Chair of the Kladies ERG (Women) - KlaviyoJosh Buehling - Global Marketing Manager & CMO NOW Lead - NBCLawrence Heming - Vice President, EMEA Diversity & Inclusion - Morgan StanleySybil Taunton - Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have the potential to be powerful business drivers, not just employee support networks. This session will explore how to position ERGs as strategic assets, aligning them with business goals to drive market insights, product innovation, and employee engagement. Learn how to measure impact, secure executive buy-in, and create a scalable framework for ERG success. This is more than advocacy, it’s about turning influence into measurable business value.

4:00 pm

Panel B: Beyond the Backlash Building Resilient, Inclusive Cultures for a Thriving Workforce

Collaboration Forum
Matt Foster - Director of Inclusion and Impact - Ogilvy UKTolulope Oke - Global Head of Inclusion and Diversity - DiageoAnnisha Taylor - Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - OfcomDavid Taylor - Senior Advisor Equality, Diversity & Inclusion - Crowe UKAndy Hazelwood-Goff - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Manager - Capgemini UK

As businesses navigate increasing social and political pressures, the connection between inclusion and wellbeing has never been clearer. This session brings together industry leaders to explore how organisations can overcome backlash, maintain strategic focus, and foster cultures of belonging that support both individual and business resilience. Learn how to turn resistance into opportunity, embed psychological safety, and design environments where diverse teams can thrive. Discover the critical role of inclusive leadership in supporting employee wellbeing and securing long-term business impact.

4:40 pm

Transition Break

First Floor Foyer
4:50 pm

Fireside Chat: Breaking Barriers – A Conversation with Carla Antonelli, hosted by Francisco Gallego

The Hive
Carla Antonelli - Spain's first transgender parliamentarian, actress, and LGBT activist.Francisco Gallego - Global Inclusion and Diversity Manager - Expedia Group (Spain)

Carla Antonelli has long been at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, equality, and social justice. As Spain’s first transgender senator and a lifelong activist, she has shaped policies, challenged societal norms, and inspired a generation. Now, as the author of La Mujer Volcán (The Volcano Woman), she shares a deeply personal account of her journey, one of resilience, courage, and transformation, offering an unfiltered look at the struggles and triumphs of fighting for equality. In this exclusive fireside chat, we explore her remarkable story, the intersection of politics and personal narrative, and what it truly means to create lasting change.

5:30 pm

Chair Closing

The Hive
5:45 pm

Connections & Cocktails - Entertainment/Musician

First Floor Foyer
Awards
July 11, 2025
12:00 pm

Welcome Drinks & Arrival

First Floor Foyer
12:35 pm

Welcome & Opening Remarks

The Grand Hall
12:40 pm

Hosts Introduction Frederick Afrifa (As seen on the Apprentice, 2025) and Emmy Fyles, Comedian and Voiceover

The Grand Hall
Emmy Fyles - Writer, and Stand- Up ComedianFrederick Afrifa - Global keynote, TEDx and speaker and coach, As seen on BBC Apprentice - Believe in Greatness
12:45 pm

Lunch and Live Music and Poetry

The Grand Hall
1:45 pm

Awards Presentation

The Grand Hall
2:45 pm

Closing Remarks

The Grand Hall
2:55 pm

Group Photos with Winners and Finalists

The Grand Hall

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