Tees Business LIVE: June 2025
EVENTS PICTURES: MOLLY JACKSON
The Tees Business LIVE panel featured( from left) Rachel Burke( Tracerco), Hester Williams( Sembcorp), Neeraj Sharma( Daisy Chain), Aimey Adamson( Middlesbrough College) and Sade Sangowawa( Taste of Africa).
DIVERSITY ACKLAM
SPOTLIGHT
Delegates agree fairness at the heart of the EDI challenge
Tees Business LIVE: June 2025
HALL, MIDDLESBROUGH
Equality, diversity and inclusion( EDI) isn’ t a tick-box. It’ s about fairness. That was the consensus among a panel of business experts when equity, diversity and inclusion was on the agenda at June’ s Tees Business LIVE.
Nearly 80 delegates gathered in the Drawing Room at the 17th century Acklam Hall in Middlesbrough for an event hosted by Tees Business director Dave Allan to discuss a topic that’ s at the heart of some of today’ s biggest conversations in business and beyond.
Addressing delegates from a wide range of the region’ s businesses and organisations, Dave said:“ It’ s a subject that regularly makes headlines – sometimes for the right reasons, when organisations make real strides toward fairness and representation.
“ But often it’ s in the news for the wrong reasons – whether that’ s companies backtracking on commitments, public figures sowing division or confusion or controversy around what inclusion really means in practice.”
Figures such as Donald Trump and Nigel Farage have vowed to scrap EDI policies.
After Reform’ s recent election successes, Farage stated:“ If you’ re a DEI officer, I suggest you look for another job.”
Meanwhile, major companies including Amazon and Google have moved away from their own EDI commitments.
According to a recent YouGov poll, 25 % of Britons believe efforts to create fair and equal access to jobs for those from ethnic minorities have“ gone too far”.
Conversely, a similar percentage thought they had not gone far enough, indicating a clear divide in perceptions of the policies.
For Gen Z, EDI is not just a“ nice to have” but a core requirement.
A LinkedIn survey found that 88 % of Gen Z job seekers consider a company’ s commitment to EDI a key factor in their decision to apply.
“ That’ s why this conversation matters more than ever,” said Dave.“ Not just because it’ s topical, but because getting EDI right isn’ t about ticking boxes – it’ s about creating workplaces where people can truly thrive, where difference is respected and where everyone has a fair shot.”
On a day that also saw funds raised for the Power of Women campaign, Dave chatted with an inspiring panel featuring Neeraj Sharma( Daisy Chain), Sade Sangowawa( Taste of Africa), Rachel Burke( Tracerco), Hester Williams( Sembcorp) and Aimey Adamson( Middlesbrough College).
Community leader Sade is the founder of Taste of Africa North East, established more than 20 years ago to raise awareness of African Caribbean culture and foster strong relationships across the whole community.
After the event, Sade said:“ It was a refreshing and encouraging experience to hear that individuals are openly committed to fully embedding EDI within their organisations.
“ I appreciated their honesty in acknowledging that there is still progress to be made and their continued willingness to advance these efforts.”
Neeraj, CEO of Norton-headquartered Daisy Chain, a charity that supports those with autism and neurodivergent thinking, said:“ My key takeaway from the event came after the panel, hearing how many people resonated with what was said. It reinforced that EDI still matters deeply in 2025.
“ But it must go further: beyond performative inclusion. Too many still feel invited to the disco but never asked to join the dance floor.”
Sembcorp process engineering manager Hester Williams, the 2024 Tees Businesswomen Awards Breaking the Mould winner, added:“ For me, EDI is about fairness; everyone having access to the same opportunities, resources and support.
“ I have spent a large part of my career being‘ the only one in the room’, but I’ ve been fortunate to have worked for companies where I’ ve felt valued, respected and supported.”
Rachel Burke, director of compliance and risk at Billingham-based industrial tech business Tracerco, said:“ It’ s always great to be part of a conversation centred around EDI and its importance.
“ While I have clear thoughts on what EDI means to us at Tracerco and me personally, it was really insightful to hear what it means to others, particularly those whose life experiences really differ from mine. I can definitely use this insight going forward, both personally and professionally.”
Aimey Adamson, vice principal – students at Middlesbrough College – headline sponsor of the Tees Businesswomen Awards for an eighth successive year – added:“ Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental principles at Middlesbrough College, ingrained in every aspect of the institution.
“ Balancing EDI as both a business imperative and a political flash point is challenging. We recognise the need to navigate the political landscape carefully to avoid being perceived as‘ woke’ while still advocating for diversity.”
Series associate sponsor for the 2025 Tees Business LIVE programme is North East Chamber of Commerce.
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