Career Masterclass’ global career development conference returns for fifth year
The leading career development conference for ambitious black and ethnically-diverse professionals is back for its fifth year – bigger and better than ever.
Career Masterclass’ STRETCH conference has seen significant growth since its inception in 2017 and this year has a stellar line-up of speakers who will deliver practical insight and inspiration to a global audience navigating the seismic shift the world has experienced over the past 18 months.
Annually held during Black History Month, STRETCH 2021 is a half-day virtual conference from 1-5pm on October 8, exploring the theme Building for the Future.
Speakers include: Nigel Filer, COO, Xergy Group; Segun Oyinloye, CISO, Sainsbury’s Bank; Toni McKay, Head of Inclusion, Tesco; Dupe Akinsiun, Global Diversity Talent Manager, Solvay; Kelechi Onukogu, MD, EMEA Head of CIB and Enterprise Functions, Risk and Controls, Well Fargo; Hannah Awonuga, Global Head of Colleague Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion, Barclays; and Avanade CEO, Pamela Maynard, who will deliver the closing keynote.
Career Masterclass aims to level the playing field and democratise career growth for black and ethnically diverse professionals who are often under-represented, unsupported, and unfulfilled. They are also often less likely than their white peers to be hired, developed and promoted. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, BME groups tend to have unequal access to opportunities for development, often because of a lack of clear information on training opportunities or progression routes within their workplaces. This knowledge gap is what STRETCH was created to fill.
The annual STRETCH conference addresses the lack of ethnically diverse role models at senior levels and helps to promote their development. It attracts thousands of attendees from various industries and locations, capturing a global audience in a day of learning and inspiration with keynote speeches, panel and break-out sessions.
Career Masterclass CEO Bukola Adisa says: “Gazing into the figurative crystal ball definitely took on a new meaning in 2020 an inevitably most of us have been left wondering what the future holds. As we gradually return to normalcy after the Covid-19 pandemic, the STRETCH 2021 conference aims to critically explore the challenges and opportunities of the future.
“We also provide attendees with the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by senior professionals from diverse backgrounds and cultural perspectives, allowing them to dream big and potentially transform their career trajectories for good.”
Sponsors this year include Barclays, HSBC, M&G, Ella’s Kitchen and Credit Suisse.
For more information go to www.careermasterclass.com/stretch2021
