Meet the Workplace team

In 2004, the Workplace team consisted of one member in Stonewall's London office managing 65 member organisations.  In 2009, the team has twelve members with ten based in London, one based in Edinburgh and another in Cardiff. The team manages relationships with over 500 member organisations across the private, public and third sectors.

You can contact the Workplace team by email here or by phone on 020 7593 1868.

The Workplace team consists of:

>David Shields, Director, Workplace programmes

020 7593 1863
david.shields@stonewall.org.uk

David joined Stonewall in 2007 as Director of Workplace programmes. He has a background in management consulting and has previously held posts as Director of HR and Associate Director for Leadership and Workplace Transformation within the NHS. He has an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science in organisational psychology and is a member of the Institute of Personnel and Development.

David works with all Diversity Champions as well as with his own dedicated client list, which includes Political organisations, Consulting and Law firms. His consulting and NHS experience includes projects in managing change, creating positive organisational cultures, leadership and organisational development.

He has particular expertise in the contribution of diversity practice to personal, team and organisational success. David is responsible for the continuous development of Workplace programmes to meet the needs of Diversity Champions and to further Stonewall’s wider contribution to equality and diversity.

 

>Ashley Thomas, Associate, Workplace programmes

020 7593 1888
ashley.thomas@stonewall.org.uk

Ashley joined the Workplace Programmes Team as an Associate in October 2009. His clients include Diversity Champions in the north east and south west regions and he has particular responsibilities for clients in the Healthcare, Further Education and Telecoms sectors. He is currently working to pilot a work experience programme among our Diversity Champion members in conjunction with our Youth Volunteers team.

Before joining Stonewall, Ashley worked within NHS governance and recruitment consultancy. Ashley graduated from Sussex University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology. More recently he gained an MSc in Organisational Psychology from Manchester Business School, focussing his studies on organisational culture and diversity, and exploring the relationship between sexual orientation and career progression as the theme of his research dissertation.

 

>Alex Van Vliet, Associate, Workplace programmes

020 7593 2292
alex.vanvliet@stonewall.org.uk

Alex joined Stonewall in August 2008 as an Associate of Workplace programmes. He is responsible for Diversity Champion members in the Third Sector, Telecommunications, Professional bodies and the North West region. In 2009, Alex is co-leading on the Workplace Equality Index 2010.

Prior to starting at Stonewall, Alex worked for two years in public affairs research at Ipsos MORI, an opinion research agency. He worked across a variety of policy areas for clients that included the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Office of Criminal Justice Reform, Department of Health, London Borough of Camden, the Hansard Society and Help the Aged.

He graduated from the University of Bristol in 2005 with an honours degree in Politics and Philosophy.

 

>Brent Chamberlain, Associate, Workplace programmes

020 7593 1865
brent.chamberlain@stonewall.org.uk

Brent joined Stonewall full-time in September 2007 as an Associate in the Workplace programmes. He is the national lead for Higher Education including all London-based Universities as well as holding responsibility for the Retail Industry including Brands. Regionally his remit includes Kent and the East Midlands.

He was the author of the Workplace Equality Index 2008 and Bisexual People in the Workplace, Stonewall’s most recent workplace guide. Brent is currently developing Stonewall Consult, which provides tailored support to organisations and individuals on lesbian, gay and bisexual equality.

He has previously organised the Stonewall Leadership programme and worked in the Public Affairs team at Stonewall assisting with a research project involving homophobic attitudes in the National Health Service. Brent is a graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science holding a Master of Science in Human Geography.

 

>Daniel Danso, Associate, Workplace programmes

020 7593 1864
daniel.danso@stonewall.org.uk

Daniel joined Stonewall in August 2008 as an Associate of Workplace programmes. He has a background in equalities consultancy and mediated representations of difference. His clients include our Diversity Champion members in Arts & Media, Travel & Transportation, as well as the East of England and North East regions. Daniel has recently produced the Recruitment Guide 2009/10 and startingout.org.uk website.

Prior to joining Stonewall, Daniel worked as Business Services Officer for Equality Works Ltd., a consultancy and training company focusing on diversity and equality.   He was responsible for project management, organising training delivery, contract and rate negotiation, and was the main client contact for project administration.

He graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science with a Masters degree in Gender and the Media, and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Women’s Studies and Sociology (double major with honours) from The University of California in Los Angeles.

 

>Dave Small, Associate, Workplace programmes

020 7593 1883
david.small@stonewall.org.uk

Dave joined Stonewall's Workplace programmes in January 2008. He has a background in local government and wide experience of dealing with equality and diversity issues, previously working for Portsmouth City Council as the Equalities and Diversity Officer. In this role, Dave was responsible for ensuring the council delivered services that met all equality duties placed on local authorities, as well as ensuring services where accessible, sensitive and appropriate to the needs of the whole community, including lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

Prior to joining Portsmouth City Council, Dave spent 24 years in the Royal Navy. Highlights of his RN career included time serving onboard HMS Fearless, HMS Nottingham and HMS Newcastle, service during the Falkland and Gulf conflicts, as well as time spent overseas in Norway and Gibraltar.

His clients include our Diversity Champions members in the South East, London councils, Sport and the Armed services. He worked with Joe Wong to produce the Workplace Conference 2009, our biggest Conference to date, and is working with Simon McNorton to manage the Workplace Conference 2010.

 

>Laura Swiszczowski, Associate, Workplace programmes

020 7593 2293
laura.swiszczowski@stonewall.org.uk

Laura joined Stonewall in August 2008 as an Associate of Workplace programmes. Her client list includes Diversity Champion members in Housing and Construction sectors, as well as the South West and West Midlands regions. Laura is currently working alongside Alex on the Workplace Equality Index 2010.

Prior to working at Stonewall, Laura worked at the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (UKRC), initially as a Research Assistant, before working in the Employers Team examining workplace culture within science, engineering and technology organisations and developing guides on good practice in these sectors.

She graduated from the University of Leeds with a Masters in Gender Studies and Research Methodology, and has an undergraduate degree in Sociology and Philosophy from the University of East Anglia.

 

>Madeline Lasko, Associate, Workplace programmes

020 7593 1866
madeline.lasko@stonewall.org.uk

Madeline joined Stonewall in July 2007 as Associate on the Diversity Champions programme. Her clients include our Diversity Champion members in Yorkshire & the Humber, and Government Departments and Agencies.  She was also responsible for Stonewall's annual Workplace Conference 2008 and Starting Out Recruitment Guide 08/09 and this year is producing the Leadership programme 2009.

Prior to joining Stonewall, Madeline worked in the European Parliament in Brussels as Personal Assistant to a British Labour MEP representing the constituency of the East of England.

She graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science with a Masters degree in European Politics and Governance, and has an undergraduate degree from the University of Edinburgh in European Union Studies with French and Spanish.

 

>Joe Wong, Client Account Associate, Workplace programmes

020 7593 2291
joe.wong@stonewall.org.uk

Joe joined Stonewall in July 2006 to support the growing Workplace programmes as Administrator.

Joe's current focus is to create and improve information systems in Workplace programmes to maintain the high level of service we provide to Diversity Champions. He is also responsible for the Workplace Seminar programme. This year, Joe worked with Dave Small to produce the Workplace Conference 2009 and will be working on the 2010/11 Recruitment Guide in the coming year.

He graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Masters in International Studies and a degree in Biology from Queen Mary University London.

Prior to joining Stonewall, Joe volunteered for Groundwork West London, an environmental charity that runs urban regeneration projects for disadvantaged local communities.

 

>Simon McNorton, Administrator, Workplace programmes

020 7593 1868
simon.mcnorton@stonewall.org.uk

Simon joined Stonewall in October 2008 as Team Administrator for the Workplace programmes.

Simon is responsible for the day to day running of the team and supports all Diversity Champion programmes. Simon also manages e-communications including the website and acts as Executive Assistant to David Shields. Simon is co-lead to deliver the Workplace Conference 2010, alongside Dave Small.

Before joining Stonewall Simon interned with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC, as Communications Intern. He was subsequently employed as Senior Fellow within the organisation. Whilst based in Washington, Simon also volunteered extensively with the Human Rights Campaign.

Simon graduated from the University of Salford in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics and Contemporary History.

 

Stonewall Scotland

>Nicola Swan, Scottish Workplace Officer, Stonewall Scotland

0131 557 3628
nicola.swan@stonewallscotland.org.uk

Nicola joined Stonewall Scotland in January 2008 as Scottish Workplace Officer.

Nicola leads the development of workplace activity in Scotland including Diversity Champions Scotland.

Before joining Stonewall, Nicola worked as a Policy Officer at the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Scottish Women’s Convention.  She has a Masters in Science and Technology Studies and an undergraduate degree in Social Anthropology, both from the University of Edinburgh.

The Workplace team is here to help you improve.  Phone your dedicated point of contact to get started.