The 2019 Tutt Rivers Lecture was given by Mrs Melanie Richards, Deputy Chair, KPMG UK on ‘Inclusion and Prosperity through Partnerships’.

100+ people attended at the Stationers’ Hall to listen to Melanie’s thoughtful account of work that KPMG is doing to increase diversity. She also talked more broadly about the importance for all businesses and organisations to ensure they were working with the best talent and bringing diverse thought to the table.

It was an excellent lecture on the topic and the stimulating questions could easily have gone on for longer. A key point throughout was not only that it is the right thing to do but that it always made business sense to reach out and ensure diversity of thinking around the table, particularly in today’s ever complex arena. Partnership and collaboration are required to find the right solutions and part of that is ensuring a diverse workforce.

Melanie’s passion in this area came across clearly.

Having enjoyed a short but memorable ceremony earlier in the evening becoming a Freeman of the company, my first attendance at a Tutt Rivers Lecture could not have been a more interesting or relevant subject.

Sheila A. Lumsden OBE FCIS
Freeman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As well as Sheila’s report on the event, we had a number of very positive comments from guests and members, including:

‘a very interesting Tutt Rivers lecture last night with the very engaging Melanie Richards – clearly there is a lot more we can all be doing to ensure greater inclusion and prosperity through partnerships’.

‘a thought-provoking lecture and I especially enjoyed the question and answer session.’

‘I am pleased I had taken my note-book with me; a lot of what Melanie said supported my own views, but she also had some thoughts which moved my thinking on, so very many thanks for that.’

‘such a stimulating evening.’

‘I thought Melanie Richards gave a measured and mature lecture on the question that many in the service industry are grappling with. How does one achieve Inclusion and Diversity?’

It was good to have the perspective of one of the large companies. The Q and A session was interesting and varied.. ‘Unconscious bias’ is an expression I am hearing more regularly and there’s a great deal of truth in it.’

‘Thank you so much for the opportunity to attend the Tutt-Rivers lecture last night and listen to the brilliant Melanie Richards speaking so persuasively on such a vital topic – in a way which included and engaged everyone in the room – a rare feat.’

‘I received the truly warmest of welcomes and such a great series of conversations with the liverymen around the table.’

WCCSA gratefully acknowledges the support of ICSA: The Governance Institute in sponsoring this event.