10 Keynote Speakers on Representation in the Workplace

With every passing year, diversity in the workplace increases. Studies find that in Q3 of 2024, the UK workforce consisted of 74.1% people belong to nations outside the UK and EU. This signifies a 7.1% increase from 2015 in the immigrant employment rate. Therefore, as diversity increases, so does the need for representation in the workplace.

What is Representation?

Representation in the workplace means ensuring diverse perspectives are included and understood by involving affected individuals or areas, learning their context, and authentically considering their input, so future discussions and decisions reflect their viewpoints without tokenism.

Source: Forbes

Why is Representation in the Workplace Important?

Inclusion and representation in the workplace ensure equality in access, treatment, and outcomes for all employees, enabling them to thrive. Empowering diverse talent fosters innovation, improves performance, and addresses skill shortages. By championing equality, employers attract and retain top talent, unlocking potential and driving organisational success.

Source: CIPD 

The BAME Speakers Agency works with some of the leading corporate diversity, equity, & inclusion speakers who are experts on how to champion employees from all genders, ethnicities and races.

Who are the Top 10 Keynote Speakers on Representation in the Workplace?

The following speakers have been regarded as the best representation keynote speakers based on collated data across 123 events between 2022 and 2024:

• Kate Isichei
• Kim Blue
• Emma Dabiri
• Michael C Bush
• Shivani Uberoi
• Aisha Suleiman
• Ritu Bhasin
• Zaheer Ahmad
• Asif Sadiq
• Pauline Miller

1. Kate Isichei

Kate Isichei is a leading advocate for workplace diversity, inclusion, and representation. With over 20 years of expertise in communications and leadership, she empowers organisations to elevate underrepresented voices and foster equitable cultures. As a prominent BAME leader, she combines personal experience with professional insight to drive meaningful change. Through her consultancy, podcast Engagement Express, and keynote speaking, Kate equips leaders with strategies to embrace inclusivity, champion neurodiversity, and create workplaces where diverse perspectives thrive.

2. Kim Blue

Kim Blue is a trailblazer in diversity and inclusion, leveraging over 15 years of HR expertise to transform workplaces. As CEO of K Blue Consulting, she champions equity and mindful leadership, empowering organisations to embrace cultural shifts. Kim’s impactful roles at Microsoft, ESPN, and Zoom underscore her dedication to fostering inclusive environments. A sought-after speaker and advocate, she inspires audiences with actionable strategies, creating pathways for organisations to thrive through diversity, equity, and belonging.

Official Speaker Topics for Kim Blue:

• The Changing Nature of Work & the Workplace
• The Power of Mindful Leadership
• Corporate Culture

3. Emma Dabiri

Emma Dabiri is a renowned keynote speaker on diversity, inclusion, and racial equality. Growing up in Dublin, Ireland, she experienced pervasive racism, which shaped her commitment to addressing systemic discrimination. Combining academic expertise, historical insights, and personal experiences, Emma captivates audiences with discussions on microaggressions, colonialism, and workplace inclusivity. Her acclaimed book Don’t Touch My Hair explores race and identity, and her impactful media work amplifies her message, making her a powerful advocate for equity and social change.

Official Testimonial for Emma Dabiri:

“We were privileged to hear Emma as she joined us on a panel to mark Black History month. The feedback we got back from our colleagues was hugely positive. Emma was extremely articulate and knowledgeable. She shared her own experiences which made her contribution very personal.” – PPB

4. Michael C. Bush

Michael C. Bush is a dynamic keynote speaker renowned for his expertise in racial equality, diversity, and inclusion. As CEO of Great Place to Work, he has transformed workplace culture worldwide, impacting over 10 million employees annually. With 40+ years of leadership, Michael combines business acumen and fairness to create thriving, equitable workplaces. An accomplished author and TED speaker, his insights inspire organisations to embrace inclusion and innovation, fostering success and fairness for all employees.

Michael C. Bush’s Official Speaker Topics:

• Fair & Equitable Treatment
• Leading & Growing Organisations
• Business Management

5. Shivani Uberoi

Shivani Uberoi is an acclaimed keynote speaker specializing in diversity, inclusion, and racial equality. With over 20 years of experience, she brings deep expertise from transforming workplace cultures and building inclusion-focused networks. Shivani’s engaging, neuroscience-driven approach has inspired organizations like PepsiCo and BMW. A certified coach and founder of The Wallflower Academy, she champions authenticity and equity. Her TEDx talk and upcoming book, Unmasking the Workplace, amplify her powerful voice for inclusive leadership and change.

Official Testimonial for Shivani Uberoi:

“Shivani gave an outstanding session to our colleagues at PepsiCo. She shared her own journey, experiences and recommendations before we opened the floor up to questions from the audience. The feedback has been amazing and she truly inspired the team. A huge thank you for helping us to celebrate IWD whilst also helping us to build recommendations to further our progress.” – PepsiCo

6. Aisha Suleiman

Aisha Suleiman, Head of Culture & Inclusion at IPG Mediabrands, is a dynamic diversity and inclusion expert and keynote speaker. Recognised for founding Amazon’s Black Employee Network UK and groundbreaking initiatives like The Inclusive Culture, Aisha drives workplace equality through innovative strategies. Her impactful programs, including mentorships and talent development, champion underrepresented groups. A trusted advisor to The Rugby Football League, Aisha inspires actionable change, empowering organisations to embrace inclusion and equity across industries.

Official Testimonial for Aisha Suleiman:

“Aisha has been the mentor of the BEN Ireland and through this ongoing mentorship BEN Ireland has not only established a foothold in AWS Ireland, but is growing to become a well-known Affinity group with the company. Our monthly meetings have been hugely beneficial and has allowed us to be more focused, organised and determined as a team. I was also able to use the materials from her course “How To Start An Employee Network” to make improvements to the structure and functioning of BEN Ireland to ensure both continuity and growth. The course provides well-researched content with well-thought-out activities which are both engaging and impactful. It has really helped BEN Ireland achieve its goals as an affinity group in AWS.” – Faith, Cloud Support Engineer, Amazon Web Services

7. Ritu Bhasin

Ritu Bhasin is a globally acclaimed diversity, equity, and inclusion keynote speaker and the Founder of Bhasin Consulting Inc. Renowned for her expertise in disrupting bias, fostering allyship, and unlocking authentic leadership, Ritu empowers organisations like Facebook, CBC, and Salesforce to build inclusive workplaces. An Amazon bestselling author of “The Authenticity Principle”, Ritu blends her legal, corporate, and coaching experience to deliver transformative insights, making her a sought-after thought leader in the DEI space worldwide.

Official Testimonial for Ritu Bhasin:

“Ritu is a dynamic leader with amazing energy and a voice that is much-needed in the DEI space. Her authentic approach engages everyone in the audience to think again and to take a leap – from the novice learner to the DEI student, to the non-believer. Ritu makes an impact and leaves a mark with both style and deep substance. Ritu is the master!” – Joi, Global Director Diversity & Inclusion, Kirkland & Ellis

8. Zaheer Ahmad

Zaheer Ahmad, Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Haleon, is a renowned DEI keynote speaker and expert on race, ethnicity, and social mobility. With a distinguished career spanning the police force and senior DEI roles at EY and GSK, Zaheer advises top organisations and serves on prestigious boards, including the Premier League EDI Standards. A sought-after speaker, he captivates audiences with insights on intersectionality, cultural change, and social mobility, earning global acclaim for his trailblazing contributions.

Official Testimonial for Zaheer Ahmad:

“Just wow, oh my goodness I perhaps think as speakers you perhaps don’t realise just how insightful and educational the session was for the attendees. The networking breakout was just filled with people who were a mixture of blown away, appreciation and a bit of emotion too. We had a CEO say that “I just need to hear and learn so much more.” – Salesforce

9. Asif Sadiq

Asif Sadiq MBE is a trailblazer in diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a proven track record of success at top global brands like Adidas, The Telegraph, and WarnerMedia. A multi-award-winning speaker, he educates audiences on fostering equitable workplaces and advancing BAME representation. From advising the UN on hate crime to achieving sustainable diversity policies across sectors, Asif inspires actionable change. Honoured with an Honorary Doctorate, his insights redefine inclusion in professional environments worldwide.

Official Testimonial for Asif Sadiq:

“The session was a resounding success and great feedback from leaders.” – PepsiCo

10. Pauline Miller

Pauline Miller, Head of Culture at Lloyd’s of London, is a renowned expert in workplace diversity and inclusion. With a background in finance at Barclays and State Street Bank, she has pioneered innovative strategies for underrepresented groups, including BAME communities. Pauline founded Lloyd’s Dive In Festival to promote diversity in insurance and serves as an Advisory Board Member for the UN Foundation Girl Up. A sought-after BAME speaker, she champions inclusion and eliminating unconscious bias in corporate environments.

Official Testimonial for Pauline Miller:

“Firstly the session today went extremely well and has been very well received by RGA associates across the region. Thank you for your help in arranging for us to have Pauline. I really enjoyed hearing her story and her insights and I know that this sentiment is shared based on the feedback received so far.” – Karen, HR Manager Italy and Spain, RGA International Reinsurance Company

Hire a Top 10 Representation Keynote Speaker Today!

Representation is a key component of diversity & inclusion. Hiring one of these top 10 representation & racial equality expert keynote speakers is a small but valuable step in learning how you can foster representation in the workplace.

Interested in hiring one of these speakers? Do so by filling out our online contact form or call us on 0207 9317 392.