Following the success of our #SpeakUp campaign and last year’s powerful WUNForAll session on speaking up in the workplace, we’re back with another thought-provoking discussion – this time exploring the critical role allies play in creating safer, more supportive environments at work.

Join us for an energising virtual lunchtime panel session, where we’ll dive into the practical ways allies can support and #SpeakUp for others, foster inclusion, and help create a culture where everyone feels heard and valued.

This session includes:

• A 10-minute keynotesetting the scene for allyship in action – why it matters and how it drives change, led by Lee Chambers from Male Allies UK.
• A dynamic panel discussionfeaturing voices from across the utilities sector, sharing real-world experiences and strategies to speak up for others.
• A live Q&Ato ask questions and explore ideas in more depth.

Chair:

Julia Stichling, WUN Advocate and MD, R2M Ltd

 Panel:

• Lee Chambers, Founder and CEO, Male Allies UK
• Halyma Begum, Equity Diversity Inclusion and Wellbeing Specialist, Calisen
• Joshua Ketley, Junior Leakage Consultant, WRc Group and Institute of Water Rising Star 2025
• Keri Handford, HR Director, Centre of Expertise at Cadent Gas Limited

Why attend?

Whether you’re looking to become a better ally, support your team more effectively, or encourage others to find their voice – this session offers practical advice and powerful inspiration to drive cultural change.

Register now to secure your place and join the conversation.

Event Bios:

Julia Stichling, WUN Advocate and MD R2M Ltd

Julia Stichling is the Managing Director at R2M Ltd., a supplier to all of the UK’s water utilities and their contractors. R2M is part of the Hawle Austria Group, a manufacturer of valves and fittings.

Julia has been in the water industry for almost a decade, having started at the parent company of R2M, Hawle Austria Group. Her international background has brought her from Germany to Japan, then Austria and now the UK, which is where she spends most of her time currently.

Julia joined WUN in 2023 to help support and network with other women in the utility industry, as well as gaining a better understanding of other aspects of the utility industry.

Lee Chambers, Founder and CEO of Male Allies UK.

After a diverse career, from corporate finance to building and exiting tech company, he is now focused on supporting organisations to engage men in inclusion and promote effective allyship. He has been featured on the Startups 100 Index, has received a Great British Entrepreneur Award, and sits on the board of CMI Women, Regenerage UK and the Manchester Metropolitan University Business School. In 2024, he received the Freedom of the City of London for services to equality in business.

He is a Kavli Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences in the USA, the first Black British scientist to be awarded in its 33-year history, received for his work on health inequalities. He is the 2023 UN Women Changemaker of the Year, and is an ambassador for the UK Governments Lilac Review for Disabled Entrepreneurship. He speaks globally on allyship and intersectionality, having taken the stage at One Young World, ChangeNOW and the Bloomberg Global Equality Summit, and is the author of the bestselling book, Momentum: 13 Ways To Unlock Your Potential.

Joshua Ketley, Junior Leakage Consultant, WRc Group and Institute of Water Rising Star 2025

Joshua has been in the Water industry for 2.5 years at WRc, initially as a hydraulic modeller, and now as a leakage consultant working on leakage calculation and strategy. Being involved in WRc’s Early Careers Group committee and Employee Voice team, Joshua believes strongly in the positive impact that communication and collaboration can have in the workplace. Joshua is also a part of the Institute of Water, this year having the privilege of being selected for their Rising Stars programme.

Halyma Begum, Equity Diversity Inclusion and Wellbeing Specialist, Calisen.

Halyma Begum is an experienced equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) specialist, currently working at Calisen as EDI & Wellbeing Specialist. She is Vice Chair and Anti-Racism Lead at Refugee Action and was a Digital Delegate for UN Women CSW69.

Halyma has held senior roles including Global D&I Manager at DIAL Global and Inclusion Advisory Manager at Business in the Community, working with leaders across sectors to drive culture change. She previously led leadership and inclusion work at Co-op Group, co-founding its Ethnic Minority Colleague Network.

A former Chair of the Greater Manchester Women’s and Girls’ Equality Panel, Halyma is committed to dismantling systemic racism and advocating for gender and racial equity in all spaces.

Keri Handford, HR Director, Centre of Expertise at Cadent Gas Limited

Keri is an experienced HR professional currently working as the HR Director, Centre of Expertise, at Cadent, the UK’s largest gas distribution network, bringing gas to 11 million homes and businesses. With over 20 years in HR roles, Keri has been instrumental in driving key HR initiatives and fostering a positive work environment.

Keri is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion; striving to make Cadent a place where all colleagues feel like they belong, through the experiences and opportunities they have.

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