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Who is Joanne Lockwood?

Joanne Lockwood is a renowned Keynote Speaker, Thought Leader, and authority on Inclusion & Belonging, with a unique journey from a successful career in IT/STEM to becoming a trusted expert in HR and People Consulting. Her approach combines deep professional expertise with personal lived experience, offering insights that are not only engaging but transformative for organisations looking to create truly inclusive cultures.

In addition to delivering powerful keynotes, Joanne writes for leading publications such as HRZone, The HRD, Training Zone, and Worklife PA. She also hosts the highly regarded “Inclusion Bites” podcast, where she explores vital conversations about improving the world and workplace for all.

Joanne’s credibility stems not only from her extensive knowledge but also from her life journey as a transgender woman. She embodies the principles of inclusivity and equity that she champions, making her a dynamic speaker who brings both empathy and authority to the stage. Joanne’s lived experience, combined with her professional insights, makes her a living testament to the power of embracing diversity and fostering cultures where people can thrive—not just survive—in the world of work.

Guided by her mantra of Smile | Engage | Educate, Joanne is dedicated to promoting #PositivePeopleExperiences, helping organisations move past performative engagement to develop actionable, inclusive strategies that drive real change

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Why work with Joanne?

Expertise: Extensive experience in keynote speaking, consulting, and facilitating workshops focused on inclusivity, belonging, and equity.

Authenticity: Personal experiences enriching her professional insights, offering a unique and relatable perspective.

Engagement: Known for her relaxed, humorous, and warm style, making complex topics accessible and enjoyable.

Global Reach: Experience working globally, both in person and online, catering to diverse audiences.

POPULAR KEYNOTES

Trusted by…

175

Happy Clients

350

Sessions Delivered

10

Expert Topics

8

Years Experience

what clients say Engaging Delivery Mastery Last night at the Outsource D&I event in partnership with the NCSC I heard Jo speak for the 2nd time. As with her 1st talk it was fantastically delivered and truly engaging. The talk not only had great content with thought provoking material, but Jo puts forward these points with humour and great cadence. Most of all Jo’s passion truly translates to energy and authenticity, which sat it the audience is very evident to see. I look forward to see you on the next Outsource Event John Crichton Head of Specialist Markets | Outsource UK what clients say Professional and Impactful Delivery Joanne spoke at our Leadership conference titled ‘Waving Through the Window,’ where we delved into the experiences of leaders from different industries. She delivered an outstanding presentation, articulating her journey with clarity, honesty, and great insight. The feedback from her session has been fantastic, and we would not hesitate to recommend Joanne for your organisation. Collaborating with Joanne was incredibly smooth; her professionalism and ability to provide everything needed at a moment's notice made the process effortless. Working with her has been an absolute pleasure. Thank you, Joanne, for your invaluable contribution to our conference. Klare Rufo Director of Development and Improvement | Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust what clients say Inclusive Training Expertise Joanne is a fantastic trainer and facilitator. Her methods and style are inclusive, challenging and supportive, helping participants navigate what can be sensitive discussions. Her non-judgmental but questioning approach helps people to explore and consider their understanding and attitudes in the safe space that she creates. Lesley Pollard CEO | Chilypep what clients say Eager for More Joanne created an incredibly well-held, safe space, covering sensitive topics in an informative and expansive way. The session was both engaging and inclusive, and we would love work with her again without question. Maddy Christopher Deputy Editor | Sift (HRZone) what clients say Authentic and Impactful Storytelling Joanne and Marie delivered an incredibly moving and insightful speaker session at ManyPets, as part of our ongoing Pride celebrations and efforts to bring light to transgender issues across our global business. Both speakers were succinct, open, and truly inspirational, offering a fascinating glimpse into their journey from both perspectives of their relationship. Their session was eye-opening and enriching, and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone in my network looking to enhance their understanding and become better allies to the trans community. A heartfelt thank you to both Joanne and Marie for their valuable time and impactful contributions. Jennifer Gabrielle-Chapman People Director | ManyPets what clients say Embracing Uniqueness Joanne was an engaging and thought-provoking speaker who highlighted why embracing all individuals and celebrating their uniqueness is so important within the workplace. People need to feel that they belong, not just that they are equal. Catriona Ralls Associate Solicitor | Warner Goodman LLP what clients say Expert Storytelling and Impact I have had the privilege of hearing Joanne speak on multiple occasions, and each time she has made a lasting impression. Her expertise in storytelling, combined with an authentic style, not only captivates but truly immerses you in the narrative. Joanne’s talks are consistently thought-provoking and inspirational, always leaving the audience with practical, actionable insights. Her ability to convey meaningful messages on diversity and inclusion is exceptional. I would wholeheartedly recommend Joanne for any diversity and inclusion conference without any hesitation. Winston Ben Clements DEI Specialist and Keynote Speaker | Positive Spin International what clients say Empathetic and Impactful Engagement As a panelist at the Global Speakers Summit 2022 in Dublin, Ireland, chaired by Joanne Lockwood, I witnessed firsthand her exceptional ability to orchestrate a meaningful and impactful discussion. Joanne's vision of moving beyond just thinking about Diversity and Inclusion to generating tangible outcomes for better business and audience engagement was executed flawlessly. From our initial online meeting to the mainstage event, everything was calm, competent, and comprehensive, resonating well with the audience. Joanne's inclusion of generational diversity in the discussion affirmed her as a truly inclusive 'Inclusion and Belonging Specialist.' Her even, empathetic, and heartfelt approach allowed the panel to effectively communicate the importance of aligning with diverse viewpoints. The event was highly appreciated by attendees and added significant value to the summit, all thanks to Joanne's embodiment of the values she advocates. Neerja Singh Generational Diversity Specialist | The Seenager what clients say Professionalism and Ease Working with Joanne was an absolute delight and our entire collaboration felt like a breeze. As the emcee and a presenter for our annual event, Joanne displayed an exceptional level of professionalism coupled with a calming demeanor that instantly put everyone at ease. She captured our audience and led them through our event agenda seamlessly. Despite any last-minute changes that arose, Joanne remained focused on the core objectives of the event, ensuring its success while demonstrating confidence and flexibility. Additionally, Joanne's expertise in diversity and equality in the workplace added great value to our program, providing valuable insights that enriched the experience for all involved. Sue Morton General Manager Events | HR.com what clients say We asked Joanne to deliver an input at our Surrey and Sussex Mentoring CPD day. Her presentation was incredibly well received by delegates, the positive feedback we received has been absolutely overwhelming. Joanne is personable, professional and has an incredible ability to share her story in an honest and informative way which encouraged delegates to open up and really listen to the important messages she was delivering. Joanne also provided a number of practical tools for attendees to take away and think about, and equipped them with skills to be better mentors. It was a pleasure to liaise with Joanne from the start and we are already looking at ways to work together again as her presentation and messages were so impactive. Thank you very much Joanne! Cecilia Cabodi Leadership & Talent Development Manager | Sussex and Surrey Police what clients say Continuous Source of Innovation Working with Joanne on the 1st French Tech DIB Pan European Summit was an immensely pleasurable and enriching experience. Her exceptional talent, innovative ideas, and marvellous sense of humour made her an outstanding partner and advisor throughout the event. Joanne's ability to cause 'good trouble' – the best kind – truly set her apart as a unique and invaluable contributor in the field. Additionally, her podcast continues to be a source of renewed inspiration, consistently offering fresh and thought-provoking perspectives. I am eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with Joanne again soon, as her impact on our work has been truly significant. Mathilde Bacholle Board Member | La French Tech London what clients say Enlightening, Informative, Meaningful, Appropriate Enlightening, informative, meaningful, appropriate - Soooo many things. More inspired to carry on the work in this area and to keep on learning. Hayley Christodoulou UK Group People and Business Partner | NBS Enterprises what clients say Transgender Inclusivity Advocate Joanne is an exceptional speaker on diversity and inclusion, with a special emphasis on transgender topics. Her ability to share her personal story in a way that touches both the hearts and minds of our staff was truly remarkable. She also did an outstanding job in raising awareness about the importance of supporting transgender people in the workplace. Her session was not only informative but also deeply impactful, creating a lasting impression on all who attended. Joanne's contributions have been invaluable in advancing our understanding and support of transgender inclusivity in our workplace. John Athanasiou Director of People | HarperCollins UK what clients say Humorous and Humble Expertise Thank you, Joanne, … it was an absolute pleasure to meet you. Your knowledge, humour and humility shone through [transgender awareness session and policy review] and I have learnt so much from you. Des Johnson OD Service Manager | Wakefield and District Housing what clients say Standout Speaker, Genuine Impact Joanne stands out not only as a remarkable speaker but also as a truly exceptional human being. Her natural comfort in her own skin and the extensive preparation she puts into her speeches create a unique and inviting atmosphere. When she entered the conference at Hiring Success, hosted by SmartRecruiters in Berlin, all she needed to do was be herself, and she effortlessly attracted the audience's attention and admiration. This sentiment is not just my own; it's a reflection shared by many who witnessed her captivating presence and impactful speech. Roy Baladi Head of Marketplace | SmartRecruiters what clients say Eye-Opening Awareness Talk I thought I had a good awareness, but after attending Joanne's inspirational talk, I now see that there is a lot to learn. Alex Neate Project Director | Altair Ltd what clients say Transformative Inclusive Training I strongly recommend this training for everyone in the leading edge at SBG. It was surprising to realize that some of my contemporaries were unaware of fundamental concepts like microaggressions and allyship. This training is essential for cultivating a truly inclusive culture. Leaders can only be genuinely inclusive if they understand what it entails and are equipped to act as true allies. I plan to suggest this to my manager, emphasizing its importance for all our leaders. Sidrah Warburton Service Lifecycle Manager | Sky Betting & Gaming what clients say Enthralling Storytelling Great storytelling used to lead us through Joanne's life and the challenges she has overcome. Really took the online audience on a journey and it landed a lot of useful points about what to do to create an inclusive workplace. During Joanne's talk, I was receiving messages from the team about how emotional they felt, why they love this organization, and generally how great the session was. The comments from the Leadership team at the end were very positive - that Joanne was the star of the call and that she was really excellent. I have never seen this call of 110 people so silent and still - they were enthralled. Thank you, Joanne - you are a star and changed some minds today, people are busy re-learning how to think about people who are different to them. Charlotte Johns Global Talent & Communications | Elida Beauty (Part of Unilever) what clients say Genuinely Moving Speaker Joanne was the epitome of an authentic, open, and genuinely moving speaker. Her ability to perfectly mix challenge with humor made her presentation not only impactful but also incredibly memorable. Thank you, Joanne, for bringing such a balanced and engaging approach to your speech. Sarah Winship DEI Director | Molson Coors Beverage Company what clients say Storytelling with Impact Our D&I Network at Brainlabs, 'Know Different', recently held an event focused on creating more diverse and inclusive workplaces, and Joanne was a standout contributor. Recommended by another speaker, her credentials and glowing testimonials on her website immediately indicated her value. Joanne's ability to tell a story is remarkable – her talk was engaging, moving, and empowering from the start. She also added substantial value during the Q&A sessions, with feedback being overwhelmingly positive. Beyond her talk, Joanne has been incredibly helpful in connecting us with additional speakers, which is greatly appreciated for our fledgeling network. I am very hopeful and excited about the prospect of having Joanne join us at future events, given the significant impact she has already made. Caitlin Rozario Head of Brand and Culture | Metrikus

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