Bernadette Thompson OBE

Bernadette Thompson OBE is a strategic and progressive HR professional, whose depth of knowledge and expertise in diversity and inclusion has led to her leading a successful career working for the likes of the Ministry of Justice, Home Office, HM Treasury, Legal Aid Agency, Cabinet Office, and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities. With a proven track record of leveraging leadership capability, diversifying talent and driving cultural transformation, Bernadette is now working as the Director of EDI at Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Also booked as a world-class keynote speaker, hire Bernadette Thompson when looking for an engaging speech on workplace culture, HR, unconscious bias, equality, diversity and inclusion.

A pivotal influencer and trusted partner of senior leaders, Bernadette began her illustrious career in DE&I as a Senior Diversity and Inclusion Manager for HM Treasury. Bernadette then went on to become a Diversity Consultant for the UK Home Office, further building her expertise in supporting people to be the best they can be. In 2018, Bernadette became a Business Partner of Civil Service Fast Stream, and in 2019 she became a Senior SCS HR Business Partner for the Ministry of Justice UK. She has also formerly worked as the Deputy Director of Inclusion, Wellbeing and Employee Engagement for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and the Associate Director of Inclusion for Barts Health NHS Trust.

Alongside her role as the Director of EDI at Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Bernadette is also an Ambassador of Different Woman, actively advocating for a more inclusive gender agenda and amplifying the voice of women of colour. She is also a contributor to Still Breathing and was formerly featured in SHE2’s Wonder Woman publication, detailing her expertise on leadership in the working world. As a Trustee for Kings College charity and Black Inclusion Week, and a member of the advisory committee for Black Women in HR and Career Nuggets, Bernadette continues to make a meaningful impact on the communities she serves. In recognition of her commitment to DE&I, Bernadette was honoured as the winner of the 2020 Workplace Hero category in the National Investing in Ethnicity Awards, commended for driving race equality and inclusion across the Civil Service. She has also claimed a 2021 Rising Star Champion from We Are the City and was appointed OBE for Services to Diversity and Inclusion in 2021.

With such a successful career under her belt, Bernadette is now hired to provide training, deliver keynote speeches on diversity, inclusion and organisational culture change and facilitate organisational discussions. Having been named one of the top 100 D&I inspirational leaders in the UK, and been the recipient of the 2019 Community Award from the Charity for Civil Servants, Bernadette is committed to helping others to create a thriving workforce. Specialising in topics such as belonging, Windrush, workplace culture, authenticity, trust, equality, diversity and inclusion, Bernadette is a fantastic choice when looking to transform business success. If you are looking to hire an expert keynote speaker, MC or event host with expertise on DE&I, hire Bernadette Thompson OBE today.