SCMP - DEI Summit 2025

The annual SCMP Summit was once again a huge success, and we were delighted to be invited as guests.

Our favourite takeaways from the SCMP Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit:

INCLUSION MUST BE INTEGRATED INTO YOUR CORE VALUES AND BELIEFS:
"You don't need a signboard to show that you're inclusive. It's shown through your values, and the way that you serve the community through daily interactions." - Lyn Lee (Former Chief DEI Officer at Shell).

DISABILITY CAN AFFECT ANYONE AT ANY TIME:
"Over time, 100% of the population will have, or have temporarily experienced, some form of a disability." This astute observation was made by Shoon Yin Lim, (Global Head of DEI Capacity, Russell Reynolds Associates). It is a stark reminder that at some point in our lives, we will all have a form of disability - whether that's due to an illness, injury or simply old age.

THERE IS NO STANDARDISED TEMPLATE. TAKE TIME TO FIND OUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY NEEDED IN ORDER TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT DE&I:
We saw "inclusion in action" when Steph Galera (Head of Southeast Asia, Open for Business) was provided with an on-stage a step/riser, it allowed her to reach the podium. This minor modification was so effective in serving its purpose - making Steph feel valued. These adaptations are often easier to implement than they think and are very cost-effective.

MICRO-INCLUSIVE BEHAVIOUR IS IMPERATIVE TO ENABLE EMPLOYEES TO HAVE A SENSE OF BELONGING:
Building an environment which incorporates micro-inclusive behaviour, helps to foster a safe space for all employees. It opens up the floor to vulnerability, acceptance and belonging. Employees "shine and contribute" leading to a more holistic approach, with leadership buy-in. - Rishi Narang (Security Alchemist, Google Cloud).

Thank you to all the speakers, who provided their personal experiences and insight into such important matters. Congratulations to SCMP on yet another hugely successful Summit!