Embrace Forum: Zero Discrimination – a catalyst for inclusion and growth

Nicola Ihnatowicz is a partner in the Employment and Pensions Department at Trowers & Hamlins LLP, and specialises in all aspects of human resources and employment law for employers and recruitment businesses.  

Nicola specialises in supporting businesses to become "Employers of the Future". Her expertise includes advising on sustainable workforces, achieving inclusivity and business transformation. She also supports employers with difficult employee relations matters, such as changing terms and conditions, managing stress at work, reasonable adjustments, discrimination and harassment investigations, and restructures and redundancies. 

Nicola regularly advises and represents clients on Employment Tribunal matters and has recently dealt with complex claims for discrimination and harassment, holiday pay, whistleblowing and workplace stress. She is a frequent speaker at seminars and conferences, including the firm's weekly online Q&A "Trowers Tuesday". 

Nicola chairs the firm's Social Impact Committee and has experience as a charity trustee. 

Simon Long is Growth Director of 55/Redefined an organisation that connects the UK’s over-50s with tailored products, services and advice spanning jobs, finance, legal and lifestyle.

Having recently turned 56 years young, Simon has long harboured an urge to help re-write the rules about being over 50 - at work, home and play. He joined 55/Redefined on a mission to debunk the notion of an older person’s “sell-by” date and unlock the value of an inter-generational world.

Previously, Simon ran his own consultancy practice helping clients unlock commercial growth and optimise sales performance in areas such as health and wellbeing, disability and inclusion. Prior to that he held a number of leadership positions in the B2B and B2C sectors including research, media, sport and entertainment, events, hospitality, tourism and social impact. Highly motivated by purpose, human performance and standing up for the over 50s, Simon is passionate about re-framing traditional notions of what aging and mortality are all about.

Chance was not born lucky. A childhood of physical and mental abuse was followed by the death of his sister to Cancer, and in his twenties, Chance had a mental breakdown which led to reckless behaviour and heavy use of drugs and alcohol. Before he knew it, his life had spiralled out of control, and he woke up one day in a prison cell, alone, with a lengthy term ahead of him.

Prison was more difficult than he could have imagined, but it turned out to be a transformative experience. He used the time to reflect on what got him there and how he could ensure he never went back. In prison, he finally recognised that he needed help – and got some – but he also discovered a capacity to significantly help others. In pursuit of a better life, he realised he could be more than good: he could be determined, resilient and remarkable.

After his release, and with the help of the employment charity, Resume Foundation, Chance started his own health and wellbeing brand, ‘Troothshop’. And, seeing his potential, the team behind Resume also employed him as the Partner Support Manager for Bridge Of Hope, where he now works with the talent portal’s charity partners to bring other marginalised but talented and resilient candidates into the workplace.

James was born lucky: an idyllic childhood, the finest education money could buy and over two decades of upward career mobility. By 2008, James was an international executive with the world’s leading drinks company, and with his young family was living the ‘American Dream’. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, pretty much everything.  After a combination of life’s curve balls, torrid unemployment, and undiagnosed bipolar disorder - leading to a spell in a psychiatric ward - James lost (almost) everything.

White, male and privileged, for the first time James experienced barriers to employment.

In 2018 Fellowes founded Bridge of Hope Careers the missing link between ‘untapped talent’ pools and inclusive employers seeking to diversify their talent pool.

In the first 18 months since launching the Bridge of Hope Careers inclusive talent portal, over 79,000 candidates have registered across the UK. These highly resilient candidates - many with ‘lived experience’ - are introduced and supported by over 130 charities - including The Prince’s Trust, Walking with the Wounded, Mencap, St Mungo’s and Centrepoint, and two dozen ‘Non-Russell Group’ universities.

A growing roster of 42 progressive employers are diversifying their own talent pools including Royal Mail, AB Foods, The Body Shop, Timpson, Santander, Cognizant, Direct Line, TalkTalk, and Royal Navy.

Julia Doherty is an experienced adventurer, entrepreneur, and speaker with a passion for promoting mental well-being through the great outdoors. As the founder of Adventure Geek, she has built a thriving walking community that encourages people to reconnect with nature, embrace adventure, and improve their mental and physical health. She is a champion for the mental health charity called SHOUT 85258. 

With a background in recruitment, digital marketing and personal development, Julia has successfully grown multiple companies and now shares her expertise on resilience, mindset, and the benefits of an active lifestyle. She is an engaging and relatable speaker, known for her practical insights, humour, and storytelling. Whether leading guided walks, delivering business mentoring, life coaching, or speaking at events, Julia inspires audiences to step outside their comfort zones and live life with purpose.