Kingston University graduate and diversity and inclusion leader, Pamela Hutchinson, has been named in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list this year.
Hutchinson, who graduated from the university in 1995 with a postgraduate diploma in law, was awarded an OBE for services to diversity and inclusion in the financial sector. Commenting on her recent accolade, she said: “I was surprised and delighted but even more delighted that this award shows how far diversity and inclusion has come and that organisations and society are taking it seriously.”
Hutchinson has spent over 20 years in senior diversity and inclusion roles in the financial services space including positions at Northern Trust, Deutsche Bank, Barclays, and Goldman Sachs. She is now Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at financial, software and media company Bloomberg L.P.
Through her work with human resources and business leaders, she has led the way in the integration of diversity and inclusion into business practices and processes, including broadening recruitment objectives, making her one of the most respected figures for diversity in the private sector today.
Her passion for diversity was likely inspired by her early life. Born in the UK to Caribbean parents who experienced issues with integration, she said she also experienced racism, especially when growing up.
Hutchinson said to students interested in a career in diversity and inclusion that the usual routes are through human resources roles or joining networks within organisations. She believes that success requires passion, commitment, and resilience but that collaboration with the majority is most important.
“We are all in this together and there has to be space for everyone; no one wins if we leave some of us behind,” she said.
She continued: “We waste so much talent if we look through a narrow lens when we recruit and promote from the same pool of talent and whilst there is still so much more to do from a diversity perspective, I am encouraged and optimistic that workplaces will achieve greater diversity, equity and inclusion.”
To view the full honours list, click here.
