The Awards Committee

The line up of fantastic individuals overseeing the shortlisting process and selecting the overall winner from the category awards.

  • Rachel Toner

    Head of Strategy and Transformation – Wholesale and Independents, Diageo, and Committee Chair

    Rachel has an accomplished and diverse background in FMCG, spanning commercial roles and strategic leadership. Beginning her journey at Procter & Gamble, she honed her skills before transitioning to Deliciously Ella and eventually landing at Diageo GB, where she has made a significant impact over the past three years. Rachel's career trajectory has seen her evolve from commercial to spearheading strategy and transformation initiatives.

    During her time at Diageo, Rachel has been an integral part of the Spirited Women Employer Resource Group (ERG), demonstrating her commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. For the past year and a half, she has served as co-chair of the ERG, which boasts over 850 members dedicated to inspiring, retaining, and attracting female talent. 

    Under Rachel's guidance, Spirited Women tirelessly pursue their mission to create a platform for employees to thrive and an environment to flourish. Their efforts are centered around four key pillars: hosting original events, facilitating inspiring conversations, strengthening community connections, and promoting open and inclusive culture. Through knowledge sharing, career development support, health awareness initiatives, and powerful communication, Rachel and her team strive to empower individuals, encourage diversity, and drive positive change within the organization.

  • Deborah Garlick

    CEO, Henpicked

    Deborah Garlick is the CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, founder of Henpicked.net and author of Menopause: the change for the better.  Her team have been working with UK-wide and international organisations for 8 years to make it easier for them to introduce the right awareness, education and support of this critical area. Last year she launched Menopause Friendly Australia and established the first team in the US.

    In 2021, she launched Menopause Friendly Membership and Accreditation. The membership is now supporting leading employers to achieve Menopause Friendly Accreditation. With hundreds of members, and over 80 who’ve achieved the award include Accenture, Boots, HSBC UK, BAE Systems and Leicestershire County Council. 

    In September 2023 the industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Employer Awards took place to highlight and celebrate best practice, and to recognise those employers who are leading the way in supporting their colleagues. Also raising vital funds for menopause charities and research.

    And in the same year the Henpicked team achieved a hat-trick of awards themselves. They were the first organisation to achieve CPD accreditation for menopause in the Workplace and achieved the CPD  Excellence award in 2023.

  • Alex Nicolaus

    Chief People Officer at Paysend, Virgin StartUp Mentor and author of Startup Culture™

    Alex's advocacy for female empowerment and leadership is deeply personal, rooted in the admiration for the women in his life, from his mother's wisdom to his wife's resilience and the boundless potential he sees in his daughters.

    His experiences, from scaling startups to navigating corporate dynamics, have solidified his belief in women's essential role in driving organizational success and innovation.

    Recognizing the importance of platforms like Women in Change, Alex emphasizes the transformative impact of diverse, inclusive environments in the tech industry and beyond. His current role as Chief People Officer at Paysend resonates with this ethos.

    He is instrumental in fostering a culture that not only welcomes diversity but also elevates women into roles of influence, ensuring that aspiring female leaders find a conducive atmosphere for their skills and visions to thrive.

    Beyond corporate walls, Alex is a vocal advocate for gender parity in leadership, contributing to broader societal change.

  • Bianca Robinson

    CEO, The CEO Sleepout

    Bianca is a New Zealander who has spent the last 20 years living on a cliff top overlooking the North Sea.

    She is the CEO of The CEO Sleepout, which brings business leaders together for one night to raise big money for charities on the frontline of homelessness, but also to unlock a greater understanding of why creating lastic social value is critical among those who have the power to create a fairer society.

    As a campaigner for social justice, especially when it comes to the power business leaders hold to be a force for change, Bianca aims to move business leaders to bake social value into their policies, procedures and actions in ways that strengthen communities and society.

  • JM Frost

    Head of Transformation, BBC

    JM Frost is the Head of Transformation at the BBC, working with colleagues to transform a 100-year-old organisation that (nearly) everyone loves into one fit for the digital age. 

    He moved to the BBC in 2023 following a 15-year career running projects, programmes and services in various government departments.  Most recently he was the Director of Operations and then Director of Transformation Delivery at Companies House – a Platinum Investors in People organisation that has won awards for its people focused approach to delivering change.  JM has extensive operational and delivery experience across fast-paced and complex organisations and a PhD in human behaviour change.  He is passionate about a people first approach and things that change is key to successful delivery and transformation.

    JM is based in Cardiff, where he lives with his wife and two daughters as well as a whole host of pets.

  • Julie Tague

    Deputy Director, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

    Julie has worked in projects and programmes in the public sector for the last four years, first in local government before moving to the civil service in 2014.

    Her work since that time has spanned the Cabinet Office, Defence, Digital Culture Media and Sport and more recently Science, Innovation and Tech where she is now leading a Transition and Transformation piece to set up the government’s newest department.

    She is a passionate advocate and leader of change in the civil service, having established change functions in three of her last departments.

    In her spare time she can be found travelling, eating or generally connecting with loved ones. She is a firm believer that things happen for a reason, and that opportunity surrounds us if we are open to it.

  • Joe Kipling

    Partner, Change Right

    Joe Kipling is a partner at Change Right and an experienced change leader and coach, successfully delivering workplace and estates transformation across the public and private sector.

    With a passion for inclusion, joe believes that everyone deserves a great workplace experience where they are welcome, have a voice and feel like they belong

  • Jane Caddick

    Director of Organisational Change Management, Twinings

    Bringing the “Wow” to Change!  For the past 20 years I have delivered Organisational Change Management across the globe, in some of the most geographically and technically challenging environments.  Whilst having an absolute blast in my previous roles as a Partner in niche Change Consultancies, doing my own Advisory / delivery work, or working internally with organisations building change capability.  As a Change Leader my passion is about enabling others to thrive through change.

  • Tallulah Israel

    ex-Membership Development, Chief Executive Women’s Network

    Tallulah Israel is a passionate advocate for the elevation and advancement of women.

    Previously responsible for growing the senior executive network at Chief, the most powerful community of senior women, she has devoted her career to connecting, advancing, and advocating for women. Known for her impactful work at Chief, Tallulah brings an entrepreneurial spirit and ambition to her endeavours, driving positive change and serving as a cheerleader for equity and equality for women. She is passionate about fostering inclusive communities and networks that are mission-focused and driven towards elevating others.