Workplace Belonging Week 2026 will bring together business leaders, inclusion experts, policymakers and changemakers across London over the next five days.
Organised by Diversity Umbrella, Workplace Belonging Week 2026 will explore how employers can move beyond inclusion policies and commitments to create workplaces where people genuinely feel valued, supported and able to belong. The five-day London programme, from 9th November, will address belonging as a business imperative, hidden personal challenges, inclusive leadership, generational differences and the role of employee networks in driving lasting change.
As Kat Parsons, CEO of Diversity Umbrella, explored in her recent guest column, creating a genuine sense of belonging requires collective responsibility, leadership accountability and action beyond awareness campaigns.
FIVE DAYS OF CONVERSATIONS AND EVENTS
Monday 9 November – Belonging Means Business
The week opens at Deutsche Bank (6pm–9.30pm) with Belonging Means Business: The Workplace Imperative, exploring why belonging should be treated as a business strategy rather than an optional initiative. Shelley Bishton, Founder of Think Twice House will host this panel. And the discussion will feature David Carrigan, Group Director of Inclusion and Engagement at Sky, and Marc Molloy, Deputy Director, Leadership, Talent and Careers at the Metropolitan Police Service.
Tuesday 10 November – What You Don’t See
Hosted by LSEG (5pm–8.30pm), What You Don’t See: The Hidden Lives We Bring to Work will explore the often-invisible challenges employees face, including illness, caring responsibilities, neurodivergence and grief. Panellists include Kate Geen; Fiona Marshall, COO of Diversity Umbrella; Christina Brooks, Founder and CEO of Ruebik and SenSqd; and Rico Jacob Chace, human rights consultant and activist.
Wednesday 11 November – Leading from the Top
An invitation-only reception at the House of Commons (6.30pm–9.30pm) will focus on how senior leaders can turn influence, advocacy and accountability into meaningful workplace change. The evening will open with Dawn Butler MP, followed by a conversation hosted by Kat Parsons, CEO of Diversity Umbrella, with Ritika Wadhwa, CEO and Founder of Prabhaav Global and author of Not Optional.
Thursday 12 November – Crossed Wires
Crossed Wires: Decoding the Generational Gap takes place at giffgaff HQ (6pm–10pm), bringing different generations together to explore workplace communication, expectations and collaboration. Hosted by Ian Tomney-Bell of giffgaff, the evening will feature a fireside conversation with Simon Blake OBE, Chief Executive of Stonewall.
Friday 13 November – Workplace Belonging Week Summit
The week culminates in Workplace Belonging Week Summit, hosted by BDO, featuring five sessions on leadership, workplace culture, employee networks and creating meaningful belonging. Erica Bourne, Group Chief People Officer at LSEG, will deliver the opening keynote.
The People, Place and Purpose: Making Belonging Work discussion will be chaired by Colin Kimber, Culture and Engagement Director at Pareto. Jane Cubbin, DfT Operator, and Sybil Taunton, Head of DEI at RICS will also be on the panel. The headline conversation, Belonging, Leadership and the Courage to Be Seen, will feature Nicola Sturgeon, former First Minister of Scotland. The conversation will focus on leadership, identity and the courage to lead in public.
A dedicated employee resource group (ERG) session will explore how employee networks can influence workplace culture and drive practical change. It will be hosted by Faheem Khan, Founder and CEO of Future Leaders UK. Laura Ayoade of Holland & Barrett and Jess Lee of Savills will also be on the panel. The summit will also feature a live recording of Nadia Nagamootoo’s Why Care? podcast. Guests include Dr Joanne Conway of Rules of the Game; Ken Kittoe of AXA XL; and Lee Chambers of Male Allies UK.
EUROPEAN DIVERSITY AWARDS 2026
The celebrations continue on Friday evening, 13 November, with the European Diversity Awards 2026 at the London Hilton on Park Lane. These awards recognise individuals, organisations and employee networks making a difference to diversity, equity and inclusion across Europe. The ceremony will celebrate the achievements of this year’s finalists, and reveal this year’s winners.
Together, the events aim to move conversations about belonging beyond policies and commitments towards practical workplace change. This includes encouraging leaders and organisations to share experiences, challenge assumptions and take greater responsibility for creating inclusive cultures.
For the full programme, event registration and Summit tickets, visit Workplace Belonging Week.
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