Latest news with #GlobalEmpowermentandInclusionSummit


Business News Wales
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Browne Jacobson Partner Speaks at United Nations Summit
A Browne Jacobson partner spoke about the role of legal frameworks in promoting gender equality and protecting human rights at a summit hosted by the United Nations (UN). Laura Hughes, Head of Public Law at the UK and Ireland law firm, joined a panel discussion at the inaugural Global Empowerment and Inclusion Summit, held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The summit featured debates on cultural exchange, youth empowerment, sports, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as drivers of lasting peace and sustainable development. It was the brainchild of Bernie Davies, who founded Mastering Diversity CIC and is patron of TechCeFaCos Group. It brought together entrepreneurs, legal and finance experts, sports and arts representatives, and community leaders. Laura's panel included Emma Waddingham, Vice-President of the Cardiff and District Law Society, and owner of Legal News Wales; Gwen Morgan-Evans, Partner at Hugh James; Michelle Cronin, Commercial Director at Thompsons Solicitors; and Dr Sally Penni MBE, a barrister and public speaker. Laura said: 'It was an absolute privilege to be invited to be part of the first Global Empowerment and Inclusion Summit and speak at the UN about a subject that is close to my heart. 'I felt humbled sharing a stage with such accomplished, articulate and strong women, with galvanising discussions on how to create lasting positive change by harnessing the diversity that exists in our society. 'There were key insights on the role that legal frameworks can have in promoting DEI – an issue at the heart of Browne Jacobson's values as an inclusive firm working at the forefront of society's biggest issues.' Laura, who is also Executive Lead for Wales at Browne Jacobson, was named Law Firm Leader of the Year at a National Law Firm at the Women and Diversity in Law Awards earlier this year in recognition of her DEI leadership and advocacy for gender equality.


Business News Wales
04-06-2025
- General
- Business News Wales
Line-Up Unveiled for Global Empowerment and Inclusion Summit
The lineup of speakers has been announced for a summit set to be held in Geneva later this month. The Global Empowerment and Inclusion Summit, due to be held on June 26 at the United Nations Palais de Nations, is being curated by Bernie Davies, founder of Mastering Diversity CIC. It aims to bring together sport, diversity and innovation in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event will be supported by Mastering Diversity CIC's patrons Edward Watts MBE and Janey Howell, High Sheriff of South Glamorgan 2024-2025. The summit will open with remarks from Dr Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport and an international sports law expert and human rights advocate, and Paralympian Steve Brown. Helen Phillips MBE, Regional VP Commonwealth Games and President Commonwealth Games Wales, will also be at the event. Featured speakers and panellists include: Lady Anne Welsh, CEO of Painless Universal Duchess Nivin El Gamal of Lamberton, Founder of Duchess Prestige Mfikela Jean Samuel, COO TechCeFaCos Group, Tedx Speaker, Adviser Dr Alison Edgar MBE, Entrepreneur Educator & Board Member Scarlett Allen-Horton, Apprentice Finalist & Sir Alan Sugar's Business Partner Legal leaders from Hugh James, Thompsons Solicitors, Kenworthys Chambers, Browne Jacobson, and Legal News Wales Organisations such as Ogi, Latch Childrens' Charity, GAVO, C-Lash DEI and entrepreneurship voices including Akmal Hanuk, Cornelia Choe, Joy Macko, Jan Iverson and Melitta Campbell Cultural influencers and technologists from the USA, UK, and Europe The Mastering Diversity Youth Advisory Board will lead their own panel on Empowering Youth Through Creative Technologies. They will be supported by Kerrie Gemmill, CEO of Scouts Cymru. In the lead-up to the Geneva summit, Mastering Diversity CIC will host The Road to the UN – In Pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals on June 17 at Hugh James in Cardiff.


Business News Wales
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Women Mastering Change Marks Milestone Gathering at Parliament
The 3rd Annual Women Mastering Change – Master Change Your Way closed session has taken place in the House of Lords in London. Hosted by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE DL, Patron of Mastering Diversity CIC, and curated by Bernie Davies, Founder of Bernie Davies Global Ltd and Mastering Diversity CIC, the event brought together guests and speakers dedicated to empowering women navigating change, as well as the men who champion their journeys. Business leaders from organisations across Wales including NatWest, Hugh James, FinTech Wales, Deloitte, Browne Jacobson, Women in Change, Education Wales, Commonwealth Games Team Wales, Welsh Ambulance Services and many more joined to demonstrate their ongoing support for the movement and highlighting the importance of regional leadership in driving national change. Key speakers included Josianne Nduwiman, a representative for the First Lady of Burundi Angeline Ndayishimiye, Julia Reynolds (Partner at Leigh Day), Andrew Martin (Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre & Mastering Diversity Board Member), Blessing Mutamba (NatWest), Gwen Morgan-Evans (Hugh James), and Kobena Amissah from the Mastering Diversity Youth Board. Each speaker brought perspectives on resilience, leadership, and allyship. A highlight of the event was the launch of a short film version of the 'Mastering Diversity' documentary, co-written and co-produced by Georgios Dimitropoulos. The full feature documentary is set to premiere on July 10th, 2025 at the NatWest South Wales Hub. Bernie Davies said: 'It was an honour to welcome such remarkable changemakers to our 3rd annual Women Mastering Change closed session. With the esteemed Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson as our host, the event became a powerful celebration of resilience, empowerment, and purposeful leadership. Together, we affirmed our shared commitment to inclusive progress and creating space for every voice to be heard. This spirit of collaboration and transformation will carry us forward to the Global Empowerment and Inclusion Summit at the United Nations in Geneva this June, where we'll continue amplifying voices and driving meaningful change on a global stage.' The event is one of the many events Mastering Diversity CIC is hosting throughout 2025 to tackle and discuss fundamental culture challenges required for fostering an inclusive Wales where diversity is not just celebrated but actively encouraged. Founder Bernie Davies and her Youth Advisory Panel are heading to the Palais des Nations, United Nations Headquarters in Geneva on the 26th June 2025 for the Global Empowerment and Inclusion Summit 2025 which will be bringing together global thought leaders, youth advocates, policymakers, and changemakers to spotlight Cultural Exchange, Youth Empowerment, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) in sports and technology.