Your work is deeply rooted in tackling global inequality. What inspired your passion for this?
Esiri grew up in Nigeria before moving to the UK in her later years. Through both of her experiences she noticed how social and financial inequalities can limit the opportunities one receives, specifically women and minorities. This motivated her to pursue a "purpose-driven" career. One thing she highlighted in our conversation was the power that policies hold to drive real change in communities.
"Success is not just about numbers, but also fairness"
You’ve worked across education, charities, and now at CARE International UK. How have these experiences shaped your approach to leadership and organisational culture?
In every sector she has worked in, she has been in the HR department which has reinforced her "people-first" approach to leadership. Esiri has witnessed the transformation that access to education and services have had on people's lives and spoke about the importance for mission based work to align with the core values of a company. One thing she highlighted was the global system's role in driving change and the power of inclusion. She emphasised that something as simple as being recognised as more than just an entity can empower individuals to feel more valued and engaged.
"Being noticed for what they bring to the table"
Esiri told me it is essential for leaders to strive to build this change in order for companies to have a sustainable impact in society.
With consumers increasingly valuing authenticity, what are some key strategies for businesses to authentically align their internal values with their external messaging?
"Leaders leading by example is the beginning of authenticity"
Leaders must work to genuinely align their policies with their values, rather than attempting to 'tick a box'. There are far too many cases were a company has claimed to have a strong passion for diversity and inclusion, yet its culture doesn't seem to reflect this. In our conversation, Esiri emphasised the need to empower employees as they are the "first stakeholders". As people who know the insides of a company, they can be the strongest brand ambassadors. Consistently working on the transparency of the company will help to boost its authenticity.
How can businesses in Africa foster inclusive workplaces that also drive sustainable economic growth?
Rounding up our conversation, we spoke about the huge talent pool in Africa. Esiri thought we should prioritise local talent and increase the push for more inclusivity. She spoke of how large an opportunity it is to have be talented in so many diverse aspects.
"The biggest downfall of a business is when everyone looks and talks the same way, as it creates blindspots. Instead it must reflect the diversity of the nation"
To mitigate these blindspots, African countries should look to invest in local talent development in these areas. Esiri highlighted that not everyone has the opportunity for their talent to be seen and thus investing can create a mutually beneficial relationship. She also mentioned how leveraging digital innovation can help in accessing the diverse workforce.
"Diversity has a direct impact on productivity"
What key message do you hope to share at the Warwick Africa Summit this year?
"Economic growth and social equity are not opposing forces"
For Esiri, true development is not just about increasing the GDP of a nation, but it also includes making sure everyone benefits. Currently there seems to be a climate of prioritising economic growth over social equity, yet these forces do not have to be mutually exclusive. Esiri believes that Africa has the potential to set the standard to change this climate and that this movement can be started with leadership and policy.
If you enjoyed reading about Esiri's story, make sure to come and listen to her speak and the Summit this weekend.
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