Business, Belonging, and Beyond

In this episode of Business, Belonging and Beyond, we sit down with Mark Bailey, CFO for Corporate & Investment Banking and Global Pride Co-Sponsor at Standard Chartered, to explore the role of leadership in driving meaningful inclusion.
 
Mark reflects on what it takes to move inclusion from intention to impact. The conversation highlights how real impact comes from creating a fair and fostering equal opportunity where visible, values-led leadership not only drives change, but embeds inclusion into everyday business practices and meaningful partnerships with Colleague Communities.
 
A practical and honest discussion on leadership, accountability and building a workplace culture where belonging is real for everyone.

In this episode of Business, Belonging and Beyond, we sit down with Tanuj Kapilashrami to explore the experiences, values and leadership lessons that have shaped her career.
 
From balancing accountability with empathy to embracing vulnerability and finding purpose beyond professional achievement, Tanuj reflects on what it means to lead with authenticity in today's world.
 
The conversation also explores the future of work and the shift from job titles to skills, adaptability and human potential. As organizations rethink how talent is recognized and developed, we discuss what it means to build cultures where people can contribute, grow, bring their full potential to work and find a sense of belonging.
 
A thoughtful conversation on leadership, culture, impact and creating opportunities that help people thrive.

Join host Matt Horwood, Director of Communications and External Affairs for Open for Business, and Aleksandra Brojek, Vice President of the Empower Beyond Foundation and the key architect of the LGBT+ Diamonds Awards, as they explore how practical strategies can embed inclusion and belonging in the workplace.
From the power of employee-led networks and community activism to initiatives like the LGBT+ Diamonds Awards, Aleksandra shares her insights, real-life stories, and tips for building a truly inclusive company culture.

How can inclusion unlock innovation and better business outcomes?
 
In this episode, Rafał Dembe — President of Warsaw Pride and strategy leader in financial services — shares how his journey from grassroots activism to corporate leadership reshaped his view on workplace inclusion.
 
In this episode we discuss:
How visible leadership accelerates culture change
Why inclusion drives retention, performance and profit
The link between diverse perspectives and innovation
Why inclusion can’t sit only with HR
Where senior leaders should begin — with strategy, budget and ownership
 
Rafał also reflects on boundary-setting and avoiding burnout in inclusion work.
 
🎧 A practical conversation about leadership, accountability and measurable impact.

In this episode, Alison Higgins, Head of Markets UK and Europe and Head of Prime Service at Standard Chartered, shares her perspective on how multinational businesses can deliver consistent values across markets, while adapting to local realities, with Matt Horwood, Open for Business. They explore why inclusion matters for cross-border growth, how it shapes client trust, and what leaders can do to embed belonging into global teams and strategies.

Join the Standard Chartered and Open for Business teams as we unpack the Origins of Business, Belonging, and Beyond – why we created it, why this moment matters, and what listeners can expect from conversations with leaders shaping more inclusive workplaces.