Tosin James-Odukoya is Quilter’s new head of inclusion and wellbeing; before her appointment, she was the global lead of inclusion and diversity (I&D) at the mobile operator trade body, GSMA.

In her past role at GSMA, she led recruitment practices to improve diversity across gender, race, and other demographics. Before that, she held HR roles at Alexander Mann Solutions, the New York Stock Exchange, and HSBC.

Her new role with Quilter will be based in London, where she will be responsible for building on its I&D and employee wellbeing programme that’s been running since the listing of the business in 2018. Her goal will be to help create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation.

Tosin succeeds Kate Richardson, who, having set the strategy for I&D after the listing of the business, leaves to pursue studies at the London School of Economics.

Paul Feeney, CEO and executive sponsor of I&D at Quilter, said: “Creating an inclusive and diverse culture where all colleagues feel they can be themselves has always been a core tenet of our cultural agenda. It’s one of the key personal objectives I set myself when we listed.

“We have made a good start with our Thrive employee wellbeing initiative; the launch of employee-run networks providing forums for discussion; an enhanced suite of family-friendly policies; significantly improving our diversity data and implementing a diverse shortlist policy.

“However, I know we have more to do, particularly to ensure the diversity of our organisation reflects our commitment to inclusion. Tosin brings great experience to help us build on the foundations we have set, and I look forward to working with her on this important agenda.”

James-Odukoya added: “The commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace attracted me to Quilter, and I’m looking forward to introducing new ideas to help the business meet its I&D aims.

“It is clear the business recognises the commercial sense of driving a diversity agenda, not just in terms of talent retention and recruitment, but also in delivering services that are more reflective of a changing society.”