With experience in sectors including investment banking, government, and retail, Edleen delivers practical insights into the value and meaning of diversity and inclusion and how cultures can change. Alongside the professional she recounts her personal experience of life from south London comprehensive to Cambridge University to the City to one of sport's most influential governing bodies.


Biography

Edleen John is a multi-award-winning global business leader and consultant working across Diversity and Inclusion, Human Resources and Culture and Corporate Affairs and Communications. With experience in sectors ranging from retail to legal, from financial services to government, and from media and communications to sport - she brings cross-industry best practice to her insights. Her experience over the course of her career has impacted and delivered across the corporate, charitable, and public-sector spheres in both an Executive and Non-Executive capacity.  She is an engaging, open, and thought-provoking speaker who shares pragmatic and tangible solutions for institutions and organisations focused on practical insights into how and why people are at the heart of organisational culture, the value, meaning and benefits of diversity and inclusion, the importance of effective communication and the impact of inclusion on productivity, leadership, and the employee life-cycle. 

A British-born Sierra Leonean, with a long-term health condition, Edleen grew up in South-East London after moving back from Sierra Leone as a toddler. She attended a South London comprehensive in Lewisham and went on to complete her degree in Social and Political Sciences at Cambridge University. She shares her lived experience of issues around socio-economic background as well as gender, cross-cultural connectivity, hidden disability, and race. She explains how embracing learning and growth continues to serve as her foundation for navigating a life filled with risks, mistakes, and successes.

Professionally, Edleen started out as an Investment Banker at Lehman Brothers in the Debt Capital Markets division. After a period in Insurance broking in Lloyd’s of London, she returned to Investment Banks. She worked across various HR functions at Nomura and Morgan Stanley, rising to be EMEA’s youngest Vice President in HR at the latter. She later joined KPMG and within a year was promoted to Director and the Co-Head of Inclusion, Diversity and Social Equality making her the youngest and only Black Director in the company’s People function. She started working as an independent consultant whilst simultaneously serving as the Director of International Relations, Corporate Affairs and Equality Diversity and Inclusion at The FA working with all levels of the English game, on and off the pitch, and leading her division through key pivotal moments including the launch of The Football Leadership Diversity Code, securing government funding for football facilities, The FA’s first-ever Disability plan in its 150-year history, a social media boycott and public affairs strategizing to influence legislation and address online abuse after the Men’s Euros 2020 and preparations for a Euros cross-territory UK tournament bid.

 

Videos

JLA Speakers Breakfast: Edleen John

Contact

We’re on hand to help you find the perfect speaker, presenter or performer for your events. Call or email our London office and use our agents' experience to expertly match you with the right person for your programme!


From time to time we send out emails announcing new speakers and free tickets to our showcase events including Speakers Breakfasts and the JLA Real Variety Show. Please tick the box below if you would like to receive these emails.

Don't miss anything!

We will never share the data you submit here with a third party. Information is stored in a database in order to service your enquiry, but is deleted once it is no longer required. You may request to have this data removed at any time.

JLA Presents

Risk Speakers Breakfast event image.
Event - 17/09/2024 - 09:00

Speakers Breakfast

Navigating Risk and Chaos – Strategies For Coping With An Uncertain World.

Speakers
Clive Myrie, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Rt Hon Lord Parker of Minsmere, and Robin Niblett

On Tuesday 17th September we had the pleasure of hearing from a remarkable panel of speakers, who shared their expertise on the challenges of managing Risk in a chaotic world.

The panel featured esteemed speakers, Dr. Sabrina Cohen-Hatton KFSM (Firefigter and Neuroscience researcher), Lord Parker of Minsmere (Andrew Parker, Former Director General of MI5), and Sir Robin Niblett (Former Director and Chief Executive of Chatham House). The event was hosted superbly by Mastermind and BBC News presenter Clive Myrie.

Over the hour, our panellists explored Risk on multiple levels, from global affairs to business environments and personal everyday challenges. They provided valuable insights into how we can better manage and mitigate Risk in today’s unpredictable world.

 

Location

87 Barts Close, 87 Bartholomew Close, London, EC1A 7EB

WATCH
AI Speakers Breakfast event image.
Event - 30/04/2024 - 09:00:00

Speakers Breakfast

Understanding AI Now

Speakers
Priya Lakhani and Anne-Marie Imafidon

We were joined at 87 Barts Close by three brilliant speakers on a panel that delved into the complex world of Artificial Intelligence. Over the hour our panellists de-mystified AI, speaking about AI’s immense promise for enhancing our lives, alongside the apprehension it has generated regarding job security, privacy infringement, and ethical considerations.

Location

87 Barts Close, 87 Bartholomew Close, London, EC1A 7EB

WATCH