Nurture Network Bitesized LIVE
January 2027
Network, connect and collaborate with like-minded leaders, and entrepreneurs. Join a movement that is dedicated to amplifying the stories of women and underrepresented individuals, driving positive change in the business world.
Hosted at a central London location.
Speakers for Nurture Network Live January 2026…
Dwayne Fields
EXPLOYER, ADVENTURER & UK CHIEF SCOUT
Dwayne is the UK Chief Scout, succeeding Bear Grylls in 2024, and was the first Black Briton to walk over 400 miles to reach the Magnetic North Pole. He co-presents Channel 5’s Endurance series with Ben Fogle, exploring legendary expeditions including the race to the South Pole and the untold story of Dr Livingstone. He is also one of the explorers guiding Will Smith around the world in the Disney+ and National Geographic series Welcome to Earth.
Dwayne’s own series, Seven Toughest Days, follows him as he pushes himself to the limit in some of the most extreme places on the planet. He will also appear in the upcoming Apple TV series Lobito Bound.
Born in Jamaica and raised in the UK, Dwayne survived knife and gun crime as a teenager before choosing a different path. After studying Psychology, International Development and Business Management and working as an engineer on the London Underground, he raised the funds to complete his historic expedition to the Magnetic North Pole in 2010.
He has since been honoured at Buckingham Palace, awarded the Freedom of the City of London and named a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He is an Ambassador for the National Trust and Woodland Trust, and co-founder of the #WeTwo Foundation, taking under-privileged young people on life-changing expeditions including Antarctica (2022) and the Galapagos (2024).
Dwayne continues to champion adventure, conservation and youth empowerment while developing new expeditions and broadcast projects.
Nadia Bob-Thomas
HEAD OF BELONGING, INCLUSION & WELLBEING, LONDON FIRE BRIGADE
Nadia is a soon to be published author and a career civil servant whose journey has taken her from frontline public services to central government and into senior roles across the emergency services.
She has worked in high profile teams in the Home Office, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and HM Treasury. She later moved into the blue light sector at HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services where she held a senior policy role overseeing child protection, counter terrorism and cultural inspections across the UK.
Nadia is known for taking complex and often politically sensitive challenges and turning them into clear and people centred strategies that land in a real and practical way. Her work helps organisations lead with courage, equity and care.
In her current role as Head of Inclusion Wellbeing and Belonging at London Fire Brigade, she is helping to shape and deliver the cultural change work that followed the independent review into the organisation. Her approach is thoughtful, grounded and deeply human.
She is focused on creating safer and healthier environments for people to thrive.
On stage, Nadia is warm, direct and very engaging. She has a natural way of blending insight with practical tools that people can use straight away. Audiences leave feeling both inspired and equipped to create meaningful change in their own leadership.’
Sandie Small Duberry
DEPUTY GOVERNORSHIP CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER FOR THE PRUDENTIAL REGULATORY AUTHORITY, BANK OF ENGLAND
Sandie is the Deputy Governorship Chief Information Officer for the Prudential Regulatory Authority at the Bank of England, reporting directly to the CIO. With 27 years in Financial Services technology, she has held senior roles at Readers Digest, HSBC, Aviva Investors, MF Global and Thomson Financial.
Her background in IT Services Management has equipped her to align technology with business priorities, safeguard Critical National Infrastructure and lead major initiatives such as the replacement of the Real-Time Gross Settlement Service and large-scale service transitions.
Recognised as a subject matter expert, Sandie was named one of the Tech100 women in 2020 and one of Computer Weekly’s 50 most influential women in Technology 2025. She is a people-focused leader committed to developing skilled, motivated teams and building inclusive workplaces where individuals can thrive.
Sandie is also an executive coach, public speaker and Fellow of the Forward Institute, championing responsible leadership and community impact.
Victoria Redgrave
HEAD OF UK BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & STRATEGY, FMR INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT (UK)
Victoria is a Board Director at FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, part of Fidelity Investments. She joined the London office in 2007 and now leads the firm’s strategic, operational and administrative functions. As Fidelity’s Sustainable Investing Designee, she oversees climate and sustainability risks and opportunities across the business.
Earlier in her career, Victoria built FMR’s first UK Corporate Access function and worked closely with Legal and Compliance on research governance and regulatory standards.
She has played a key role in advancing culture and inclusion, co-founding ONE London, the firm’s first UK Employee Resource Group, and serving as Regional Sponsor for the London Sustainability Network and global Co-Chair of the Women’s Leadership Group.
George Imafidon MBE
CEO & CO-FOUNDER, MOTIVEZ
George is the CEO of Motivez, an award-winning community organisation that
has trained over 13,500 underrepresented students and graduates aged 14-25 to secure competitive STEM jobs and become change-makers. Since 2015, Motivez has reached millions through its campaigns and been backed by Idris Elba, Beyoncé and the Royal Family.
He is also a Race Engineer in Sir Lewis Hamilton’s electric racing team, Team X44 and a Vice Chair of The Co-op Foundation.
Deborah Alma
POET, AUTHOR, TEACHER & BUSINESS WOMEN, POETRY PHARMACY
Deborah is a UK poet, editor and teacher. She has worked using poetry with people with dementia, in hospice care, with women’s groups and with children in schools and lectured at both Worcester and Keele universities. From 2012 she was the Emergency Poet offering poetry on prescription from her vintage ambulance. She co-founded the world’s first walk-in Poetry Pharmacy in Shropshire with her partner the poet James Sheard in 2019. In 2023 she opened a Poetry Pharmacy inside Lush on Oxford Street, and in 2026 will be opening a third in York City Centre.
Her books include Emergency Poet-an anti-stress poetry anthology, #Me Too – rallying against sexual harassment- a women’s poetry anthology, The National Trust Nature Poems and she co-edited, with Dr Katie Amiel, These Are the Hands-Poems from the Heart of the NHS and Poetry Projects to Make and Do published by Nine Arches Press. Her first full collection Dirty Laundry is also published by Nine Arches Press. She is co-author of The Poetry Business School with Mark Constantine & Kate Downey-Evans, 2025 from Harper Collins and edited the Poetry Prescription series with Pan Macmillan, 8 titles 2025.
Susan Allen Augustin
CO-FOUNDER, HERE WE FLO
Susan is the co-founder of Here We Flo, a purpose-driven wellness brand on a mission to make period, bladder, and sexual care more sustainable, transparent, and shame-free.
What began as a bathroom conversation among two friends, is now stocked in Tesco, Boots, Whole Foods, and beyond, challenging outdated norms with humour, honesty, and heart.
With roots in social justice, Susan brings bold leadership to a brand that’s as fearless as it is thoughtful. Discover the story behind Flo here.
Nur Dulin
GROUP HEAD OF MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS, TECH BRANDS
Nur is Group Head of Marcomms at Endava, where she advises the C-suite and leads global strategies that drive reputation, engagement and revenue growth. With over a decade of experience shaping brand narratives across FinTech, AI and emerging tech sectors, she is known for translating complex topics into impactful campaigns and building high-performing global teams.
She has a proven track record of turning complex business and industry issues into campaigns that drive engagement, elevate reputation and accelerate revenue, directly influencing multi-million-dollar pipelines.
Nur has led global media relations, corporate transformations, investor communications, M&A integrations and rebrands. At Endava, she built and scaled the communications function from 5 to more than 35 people globally.
Matthew Chapman
CEO, SBFM
Matt is the Chief Executive Officer of SBFM and a member of the company’s Board of Directors. With over 13 years’ experience in the facilities management and support services sector, Matt leads the strategic direction, cultural development and growth of one of the UK & Ireland’s fastest-growing FM providers. Since joining SBFM, he has transformed the business from a £27 million organisation with 2,000 employees into a £110 million company with more than 8,000 colleagues in just three years.
Matt’s leadership is defined by a purpose-driven approach that blends commercial performance with social impact. Under his direction, SBFM has shifted from a traditional profit-first model to one centred on social mobility, colleague progression and meaningful community value. His belief in elevating the experiences of often overlooked frontline workers continues to shape SBFM’s culture and client partnerships.
Before joining SBFM, Matt held senior roles including Chief Marketing & Development Officer (UK & Ireland) at OCS (formerly Atalian Servest), where he played a key role in embedding ESG, sustainability and inclusion into corporate strategy. He previously worked with organisations such as BMW, Guardian Media Group and Arsenal Football Club, bringing broad commercial perspective into the FM sector. Matt holds an MBA from Cranfield University, an MA in Business Sustainability Management from the University of Cambridge and an LLB in Law. His work in redefining the relationship between business success and social purpose earned him the CEO of the Year Award at the 2025 Business Leader Awards.
Ronke Lawal
PR, COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT, SPEAKER, & PERSONAL BRANDING COACH
Ronke is an award-winning PR and communications consultant, speaker, and personal branding coach. Born in Hackney, East London, she studied International Business at Lancaster University and the University of Richmond, Virginia. A sought-after strategist, she advises on PR, crisis management and brand identity, while delivering training worldwide and is a successful personal branding coach helping leaders communicate who they are effectively and confidently. Ronke has held leadership roles including Chief Executive of Islington Chamber of Commerce and director at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. Recognised with numerous honors, including the Vuelio PR & Comms Influencer of the Year Award; she is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusive leadership. In 2024 she became Chair of Black Women in Comms, continuing her mission to empower voices across media and business. In 2025 Ronke was ranked as one of the most influential PR professionals in the world by Propel and was listed as one of the UK Top Fifty Black Women in Media Gamechangers and was listed as the 7th most influential person in advertising and PR in the UK by Favikon.
Rebecca Schnauffer
HEAD OF GLOBAL STRATEGIC CLIENTS, EMEA & LATAM, LINKEDIN
Becky is a global commercial and talent-tech leader with deep expertise in workforce transformation, AI-enabled talent strategy, and scaling high-performing organisations. As Head of Global Strategic Clients for LinkedIn Talent Solutions across EMEA & LATAM, she advises the world’s leading enterprises on how to plan, hire, and develop the skills they need for the future of work.
With 25+ years across LinkedIn and IBM, Becky has led major international businesses and shaped go-to-market and product strategy across AI, cognitive technologies, and enterprise cloud. She is known for her inclusive leadership, operational rigour, and her ability to bring clarity, confidence, and momentum to complex organisational and technological transformation.
A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Becky champions cultures where people feel welcomed, heard, and able to thrive. She is also a dedicated mentor and an active angel investor, supporting early-stage founders and future talent across the technology and future-of-work ecosystem.
Khalia Ismain
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR, LLOYDS BANKING GROUP
Khalia is a Social Sustainability Director at Lloyds Banking Group, leading national initiatives to improve access, equity and long‑term sustainability for under‑served business owners. She previously led the Group’s Black entrepreneur programmes, supporting over 10,000 entrepreneurs and distributing nearly £100,000 in grant funding, and delivered cross‑sector partnerships including a Channel 4 collaboration that provided £1.1 million in TV advertising to small businesses.
Before this, Khalia served on the Lloyds Bank Black Business Advisory Committee after founding Jamii in 2016, a loyalty platform for Black‑owned businesses that has generated more than £1 million in sales, opportunities and visibility, with coverage in Forbes, Buzzfeed and the BBC.
She is a multi award‑winning leader, recognised as one of HSBC’s Top 25 Black Entrepreneurs to Watch, the 2025 Financial Services Employee of the Year, and one of Cosmopolitan’s “24 People Genuinely Making the World a Better Place.” Khalia is also a School Governor in North West London.
Highlights 2026
Nurture Network Bitesized Live 2027 is coming up!
Are you leading a project, a team or a business? Do you aspire to step into that role one day? Leadership isn’t always as it looks from the outside. It can be lonely, exhausting and full of hidden challenges. At Nurture Network Bitesized Live we’ll lift the lid on the side of leadership that mentors and managers don’t always share.
Join us for a half-day of honest conversation, inspiration and practical insights from leaders who have faced those realities and found ways to succeed.
We’re thrilled to be working with some of the worlds greatest brands and organisations, plus next generation industry leaders including, Fidelity, Google, Barclays, EY, the Bank of England and more…
Nurture Network Bitesized Live 27 is coming and will host some 150 + entrepreneurs and business leaders, featuring expert speakers, curated sessions, and unique experiences to create meaningful connections.
We will continue connecting like-minded professional – men and women – who are as passionate as we are about supporting women in their careers. Nurture Network Live strives to connect underrepresented people with people of influence who can inspire, strengthen their leadership, and bring others along with them.
What our guests say…
Such a brilliant day! impressive, inspiring speakers.Catherine BorowskiProducer and Co-Founder of Graphic Rewilding, SKIP Gallery and Founder of Produce UK
Inspiring guests and stories. Probably the best event I have attended in years. Thank you so much Marie-Claire Frederick for allowing me to be part of it.Myriam HofriChief Operating Officer | Programme, Risk & Control Manager | Board & Committee Member | Sustainability graduate
What an amazing day. It was such an honour to be in the room with so many incredible people. The conversations are still sinking in. Gratitude came up again and again, and I really felt it. I’ve left feeling energised and supported by old and new friends.Divya EapenChief Risk Officer | Senior Credit Officer | Credit and Risk Management Consultant
Some highlights from Nurture Network LIVE 23
Women in business
are unstoppable
Together we can overcome them. If we share our challenges, work together, build each other up – we can not only create a powerful community, we can realise our potential.
The ‘ It takes a village’ conference from The Nurture Network will prove just that.
Amazing things happen when we get together
Leadership isn’t just lonely. It can be exhausting and full of hidden challenges. Half of CEOs admit loneliness affects their performance and burned-out leaders are 34% less effective. These are the realities your mentors won’t always share.
At Nurture Network Bitesized Live 25, we’ll lift the lid on the unspoken side of leadership in a half-day of honest conversation, inspiration and practical insights from leaders who have faced those challenges and found ways to succeed
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