Meet Emma – Senior Consultant and Inclusion Champion

People are at the heart of everything I do. I am passionate about creating trusted, inclusive environments where individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. By fostering meaningful connections and promoting a culture of belonging, I help enable people and teams to thrive. This commitment is the foundation of my work and the leadership approach I bring to every role I undertake.

Inclusion became personal for me after overhearing two colleagues discussing retirement and the internal challenges they were being faced with as they navigated this stage in their life and career. Their uncertainty prompted me to think more deeply about how workplace experiences change throughout a career, and whether we were doing enough to support people at every stage of working life.

As I listened more widely, I heard a range of experiences and perspectives. While every story was different, age was the common thread. It reinforced something I strongly believe: inclusion should not be limited to a particular life stage, career milestone, or demographic. It should be constant throughout someone’s journey. 

That insight led to the creation of EncourAGE, BAE Systems' Employee Connection Group focuses on age inclusion. From the outset, the ambition was simple: create a space where colleagues could learn from one another, share experiences, and navigate the opportunities and challenges that come with different stages of life and work.

Rather than creating a short-term initiative, we set out to build a lasting community that would continue to evolve with the needs of our people.

Together with the co-chair, we worked with colleagues across teams and sites to understand their experiences and identify common themes. Those conversations helped shape a compelling case for change and secure support for what would become EncourAGE.

Working alongside a passionate network of volunteers, we established a clear vision and purpose that people could connect with and see themselves reflected in.

Our focus has always been on the issues that matter most to colleagues:

• How do we challenge age-related assumptions constructively?
• How do we better support career transitions in a multi-generational workplace?
• How do we help foster inclusive and supportive collaboration between generations?
• How do we make it easier for people to access the support and resources already available?

By focusing on practical actions rather than abstract concepts, we have been able to create meaningful conversations and build greater awareness across the organisation.

BAE Systems is committed to promoting and establishing a high-performing workforce that enables growth through an inclusive culture, where everyone feels respected and valued.

The roles I hold allow me to support that ambition in practical ways, whether facilitating conversations, mentoring colleagues, supporting wellbeing, or helping leaders better understand the experiences of their teams.

In 2025, I completed facilitator training for BAE Systems Digital Intelligence’s Inclusive and Respectful Workplace programme, delivered alongside local Ethics Officers and HR Managers within the organisation. 

I also supported the delivery of ‘Listening with Leadership’ sessions, creating safe and supportive forums where colleagues could openly share their experiences.

By the end of 2025, more than 250 colleagues participated in 27 sessions. The feedback and insights gathered have helped drive greater transparency, strengthen trust between colleagues and leaders, and inform ongoing improvements to workplace culture.

There is more to do, which is energising.

My ambition is to continue deepending connections across generations and roles, seeking out ways to create more opportunities for meaningful dialogue, and help turn individual experiences into lasting organisational improvements. 

My goal is for EncourAGE to remain a growing, responsive community where colleagues feel recognised, supported and valued at every stage of their career.

I am at my best when helping people navigate complex and often emotive challenges, ensuring people feel heard and supporting them through agreed next steps. Whether it is launching a  new initiative, writing guidance that helps someone make a difficult decision, or simply creating space for an honest conversation, I believe small actions have a lasting impact. 

Culture is shaped through moments like these. They may seem small in isolation, but together they help people feel heard, valued and able to succeed. Those are the changes that last.