Creating a culture of inclusion

Host

Mark Crossfield
Software Developer, AutoTrader

Mark has been a software developer at Auto Trader since 2007, where he’s worked on their retailer website platform and private cloud platform. These days his time is split between working with early-career software developers (apprentices, graduates etc), co-leading their LGBT+ Network, mentoring and being a mental health first aider. He’s been involved with diversity and inclusion at Auto Trader since 2018.
Outside of work, Mark enjoys music festivals where he has worked extensively as an Oxfam volunteer. He’s also fascinated with underground and hidden features of Manchester, mapping them on a website called ‘Hidden Manchester’ in his spare time.

Panelists

Amy Lynch
Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Thoughtworks UK

Amy has been working with technology teams for over a decade and currently heads up diversity, equity & inclusion for Thoughtworks, a global tech consultancy. A curious and adaptable leader, Amy advocates passionately for social justice and champions a more equitable future for all. She has been a driving force in Thoughtworks reaching 45th place on the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQ+ inclusion and her work covers everything from gender equality to race & ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity and mental health to religion and belief.

Scott Stockwell
Editor in Chief, EMEA, IBM

Scott is Editor in Chief for IBM EMEA where he helps teams deliver compelling campaign content and customer journeys. Despite being ill-suited to rugby, Scott is an adept Agile Scrum Master and an experienced Design Thinking facilitator, using both to nurture teams’ creativity and delivery. Scott is a co-editor of IBM’s global Pride Gateway and co-chaired IBM’s LGBTQ+ UK network for many years. Scott is a Fellow of the IDM; chairs the DMA’s B2B Council; is the Strategy and Growth Advocate for B2B Marketing’s Propolis community, and has sat on many industry award panels.

Panelists

Jon Cuthbertson
Digital Employee Experience Project Lead, Arnold Clark

Jon joined Arnold Clark in 2017, working as an analyst for the People team. His role soon included working with the Engagement team on their Think Employee programme, which looked at ways to support existing employees and attract new ones to the business. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Jon was actively involved in Arnold Clark’s first Pride events, acting as an ambassador at each of the events Arnold Clark had supported across the UK. Jon is one of the founding members of Arnold Clark’s recently created LGBT+ and Allies Network, Drive Together, and is also Secretary of the wider Automotive LGBT+ Network, Driving Pride.
When not working for Arnold Clark, Jon is part of Glasgow’s thriving theatre community, directing musicals and plays for community theatre groups and teaching at a local theatre school.

Mike Orford
Head of Press and PR, Volkswagen UK
Sponsor of Volkswagen Group UK ‘We Drive Proud’ Employee Network Group

Mike started off his automotive career as a Staff Writer for Diesel Car magazine in 1996, before shifting into PR in 2001 as a Press Officer for Volkswagen UK. Since then, he has enjoyed a 21-year career within the wider Volkswagen Group, moving to SEAT UK in 2005, Porsche GB in 2012, and then rejoining the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand in 2015 in his current role. According to Mike, the industry has changed in so many ways during the quarter of a century he has been a part of it.
“When I started, the automotive sector was not exactly a very diverse place – and there was no apparent focus to make it more so. Today things have moved on so much. Differences are something to be celebrated rather than hidden. The growing popularity of Employee Network Groups (ENGs) has been a part of that revolution, and I am really glad to be a part of the LGBTQ+ “We Drive Proud” ENG at Volkswagen – right from its inception through to today, as it continues to flourish.”