Bernadette Thompson

Bernadette Thompson OBE is a pioneering HR leader who transforms organizational cultures through strategic diversity and inclusion initiatives. Her practical approach bridges policy development with meaningful workplace change across the UK's public sector. As Associate Director of Inclusion at Barts Health NHS Trust, Bernadette oversees diversity strategies for 20,000 employees. Previously, she served as Deputy Director for Inclusion at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, following a Civil Service career that began in 1998. Her work earned her the prestigious OBE and the Community Award from the Charity for Civil Servants. Bernadette helps organizations navigate the complex challenges of building truly inclusive environments by identifying systemic barriers and implementing practical solutions. Her expertise in unconscious bias training, inclusive recruitment practices, and policy development enables institutions to create measurable improvements in workforce representation and employee engagement while meeting regulatory requirements. Audiences gain actionable frameworks for embedding inclusion into organizational DNA, practical tools for measuring diversity initiative effectiveness, and strategies for cultivating leadership buy-in across all levels. Her presentations blend data-driven insights with compelling case studies from her extensive public sector experience. Book Bernadette to equip your organization with proven strategies that transform diversity challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth.