Another year over … and what have we learned?

by Kalpna Woolf, CEO & Founder of BeOnBoard


It would be an understatement to say that 2020 was not the year we had all imagined it would be.

Instead, we have had a year which has challenged the world’s very fabric and survival. We have been faced with a health crisis of an unprecedented magnitude and an economic free-fall to match. The virus and Black Lives Matter protests have exposed the stark race and social inequalities which have persisted in our society. The challenges have been immense, but they have provided the opportunity to re-think the way we work, the economy and the society we want to build for the future.

Returning to the way we worked won’t cut it. We need to reimagine our organisations and determine the most effective actions to ensure economic and social regeneration. The solution has to have greater equity and inclusion at its center. Inclusion is crucial for future success –we already know this from so much evidence-based research and now, inclusion will give us the skills, the connections and the wider-thinking to rebuild and rejuvenate.

And at BeOnBoard it’s our mission and intention to support businesses to succeed by becoming more inclusive, starting at the very top – the Boardroom and the C-Suite roles. We are working to support businesses to build a culture that is both proactive and sustainable in its diversity & inclusion efforts.

We have already worked with over 65 companies and inspired a pipe-line of 180 potential board members through our training programmes. In 2021, we look forward to continuing our work by collaborating with many more organisations in the South West and beyond and capitalising on our partnerships with Business West, NatWest Bank, UWE, UoB, WECA, Feeding Bristol and BBRC amongst others. We have an exciting programme of inspiring speakers lined-up and many more partnerships in the pipeline.

I’d like to thank all our partners, our amazing candidates and my team for all their support and work this year. As I look forward to 2021, I urge you all to take up the opportunity to rebuild a better and more inclusive region and economy.

I wish you all a safe and peaceful yuletide season and all the best in the New Year 2021.

Kalpna Woolf