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.
How to hire Bernadette Thompson OBE
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Bernadette Thompson OBE for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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Bernadette Thompson's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Paying It Forward
- Power of Choice
- Personal Branding
- Leading from the Middle
- Inspirational Leadership Journey
- Let's Talk About Belonging
- Windrush - Identity Vs Reality
- Fostering Staff Networks in the Workplace
- Employee Networks - How to Expand Vision and Ambition Over Time
- Navigating the Hidden Culture in the Workplace
- Relationship for Success in the Workplace
- Cutting Through the Noise, Thriving as an Introvert
- Let's Talk About Race
- Reverse/ Reciprocal Mentoring Briefing for Mentors and Mentees
- Unconscious Bias
- Leading with Authenticity and Trust
- Understanding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Anti-Bullying - Respect in the Workplace
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"Bernadette’s Black History Month talk with IRIS was incredibly inspiring and thought-provoking. Her passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion was evident, and her storytelling brought to life the important topic. Bernadette has a unique ability to engage the audience with warmth and authenticity, while delivering a powerful message on the importance of representation and empowerment. Her talk left a lasting impact on all of us, sparking important conversations and encouraging reflection on how we can all contribute to positive change. Truly a motivating experience for all who attended!" - Iris Software Group
"Bernadette was brilliant! Her session was both entertaining and insightful, and I think the Headteachers took a lot from it." - Georgina, Events & Marketing Coordinator, BDSIP
"Thanks so much. You were amazing and definitely led to some positive feedback and action to more people signing up to the network" - Kubra, Insights Manager Group Investment Management, Lloyds Bank
"Bernadette sat on the panel for our 2022 International Women’s Day event. The theme was #BreakTheBias and Bernadette brought an inspirational perspective to the discussion. Her views were clear, relevant, and importantly, practical. We were delighted to bring Bernadette’s extensive experience in breaking boundaries to our audience." -Paul, Partner, Moore Kingston Smith
"You are PURE CLASS. Thank you so much for your excellent presentation today, and for always being an absolute pleasure to work with." - Kiren, Production Manager, Dods D&I
"I just wanted to say a massive thank you on behalf of the whole team for the session yesterday. You were so engaging and made the team really think about how we can continue to check ourselves and be a truly inclusive team." - Lindsay, Highly Specialist MSK Physiotherapist, Outpatient Therapies Mile End Hosp
"Bernadette was excellent, kept the dynamic going in the room and everybody felt comfortable around her to engage and ask questions." - Mariana, Sovereign
"Would you please extend my heartfelt thanks to Bernadette for an engaging and insightful session. Everyone really enjoyed it and it has given us a lot to follow-up on. Bernadette was wonderful!" - Marisa, Corporate Safeguarding Adviser, Education Development Trust
"We would like to say a massive thank you for being a part of our Black History Month Lunch and Learn event today. It made a big impact on the attendees – myself included. Hearing your experiences and the enthusiasm you bring to every new role or position you find yourself in was, and is, nothing short of inspiring. The presentation itself was informative and thoroughly entertaining - it’s a real struggle believing you’re an introvert!" - Chibuchi, Shell UK Ltd
Feedback from Virtual Events:
"Thanks for being so authentic, sharing your knowledge and experience. The general feedback has been very positive with over 170 people in attendance. I particularly liked the Guinness Vs latte description." - Priscilla, Vice Chair, National Grid
"Bernadette did a great job, it was exactly what we needed. A good balance between weaving in thoughts and information around Black History Month but also a strong focus on inclusion in general. I also liked that Bernadette used a variety of difference interaction methods. From Video, to pictures or the chat box." - Sam, The London Clinic
- 2023 - Director of EDI at Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- 2023 - Named one of the top 100 D&I inspirational leaders in the UK
- 2021 - Associate Director of Inclusion at Barts Health NHS Trust
- 2021 - Appointed OBE during the Queen's Birthday Honours
- 2021 - Awarded the Rising Star Champion at the We are the City Awards
- 2020 - Winner of Workplace Hero at the Investing in Ethnicity Awards
- 2019 - Deputy Director of Inclusion, Wellbeing and Employee Engagement at the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
- 2019 - Senior SCS HR Business Partner at the Ministry of Justice
- 2019 - Winner of the Community Award from The Charity for Civil Servants
- 2018 - Business Partner for the Civil Service Fast Stream
- 2017 - Diversity Consultant at the UK Home Office
- 2015 - Senior Diversity & Inclusion Manager at HM Treasury
