📢 Exciting Announcement! Join us on Tuesday, March 19th, from 12-1pm for a thought-provoking discussion on “What can be done to get more men on board as male allies?” 🌟

We are honoured to have Rob McHardy from Mott MacDonald as the esteemed Panel Chair for this event. Stay tuned as we announce our incredible lineup of panellists soon!

This event aims to explore the importance of male allies in promoting gender equality and creating inclusive environments. Together, we will delve into strategies and actions that can be taken to encourage more men to actively support and champion the cause.

Save the date and be part of this important conversation. Your presence and insights are invaluable in driving positive change!

Panel Chair

Rob McHardy: Mott MacDonald – Project Director

I grew up initially in Australia before moving to London and then settling down in Devon. I studied a Masters in Electronic Engineering at the University of Exeter and then joined the Devonport Royal Dockyard Graduate scheme where I spent 17 years in submarine delivery related roles focussing on project and programme delivery of Nuclear Submarine maintenance and refit projects. I decided in 2021 it was time for a career change which resulted into a move into consultancy with Mott MacDonald, an international Engineering, management and development consultancy. I’m now a Project Director in our advisory defence business. My role splits my time across project delivery for our clients, business operations and business development. This is a varied role which certainly keeps things interesting.

Graham Foreman: Boxxe – Public Sector Sales Director

Sales Director, Graham Foreman as a distinguished panellist. Graham is a dynamic force in championing positive change in the public sector, and his insights into fostering male allyship are not to be missed. Driven and results-focused, Graham brings a unique perspective to the conversation. His leadership style is marked by a commitment to team collaboration and a relentless pursuit of improvement. As a panellist, Graham will share how these principles can be applied to engage more men as allies, promoting a collaborative and inclusive workplace.

Graham’s dedication extends beyond personal success; he is committed to extracting the best from both himself and the teams he collaborates with. During this virtual event, he’ll discuss strategies for motivating men to become allies and the transformative impact this can have on workplace culture.

In the ever-evolving landscape of male allyship, Graham recognises the importance of staying ahead of the curve. He will provide insights into leveraging technology and innovation to foster a more inclusive environment.

David Wing: Vivo – Technology Director

I have joined VIVO from one of the largest Housing Associations in Wakefield (>32k properties), having worked in the Public Sector for the last few years. Whilst there I delivered an IT Improvement Programme designed to provide a stable, secure and modern technology foundation including: Improvements included new project governance, reporting and IT infrastructure, utilising the power of the cloud to maximise uptime and offer the business and its customers high availability of services, all whist reducing risk and improving business continuity.

I’m a Yorkshireman, hence the fixation with the IT budget. I live in Sheffield.
I like football, and support Sheffield Wednesday and have been a season ticket holder for far too long!
When I am not being a Dad taxi all weekend for my two kids, Thomas and Olive, I do like to get out in the Peak District for a walk or ride my bike(s)

Colonel Fred Owen: Commandant of Humberside & South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force

Colonel Fred Owen MStJ, GCGI, serves as the esteemed Commandant of the Humberside & South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force (ACF), bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity within the military community. From his early days in Bolton to his significant role in the ACF, Colonel Owen has been a champion of change, breaking barriers and serving as a positive role model. His career highlights include transformative leadership roles, strategic planning for major training initiatives, and a dedication to community service, including his work with the RSPCA in Hull and East Riding. As a #HeForShe advocate, Colonel Owen actively promotes gender equality within the ACF, advocating for a values-led culture that empowers every individual to achieve their potential.

Shahid Mian: ITSUS – Managing Director

I am a certified Enterprise Architect, Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Directors, experienced in successfully managing and delivering projects to time and budget for a diverse range of enterprise and military communications systems. I am also a member of the leadership team for Women Empowering Defence, an organisation whose ambition is to break down societal barriers and encourage a more inclusive and accepting attitude towards women’s capabilities and contributions.

I started my career as a graduate engineer for Cogent Defence & Security Networks in 1997 and progressed to Senior Network Engineer, prior to fulfilling a role as a Consulting Systems Engineer for BAE Systems in 2007. During that time, I completed a PhD at Cardiff University in 2003, looking into developing state-of-the-art network traffic models for multimedia networks. Through my thesis, I wrote sole author journal publications in this field for the IET and IEEE.

During my role as Managing Director of ITSUS Consulting which I co-founded with Alex Cousins in 2009, I have been jointly responsible for building an amazing client base which includes Airbus Defence & Space, Aquila ATMS, Babcock, Dstl, English Heritage, General Dynamics, Historic England, Leonardo U.K., QinetiQ, SWFRS, U.K. MoD, and Vodafone Global Enterprise, as well as the b