By Kim Gray, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at NTT DATA UK
Social activities ground to a halt and many employees suddenly found themselves working from home. The Covid-19 pandemic had a dramatic effect on all our lives, but for some, the consequences were far more profound. Many families who lost their livelihoods overnight found themselves struggling to put food on the table.
As some families faced this frightening prospect, others found themselves fortunate enough to be able to continue working and earning a living. This contrast was stark and pushed many organisations that were able to transition to remote working to consider how local communities could be supported through the crisis. The result was an outpouring of generous initiatives set up by businesses around the country, ranging from supplying equipment to support online learning through to donations to foodbanks and homeless shelters.
Organisations have a responsibility to do their best for their local communities. This has always been the case, but the pandemic heightened the business community’s awareness of the need to help others, especially when workers in different sectors were impacted disproportionately.
Employees at organisations that were able to transition into remote working had an advantage over those who were unable to shift their work online. At NTT DATA UK, we were able to continue working, but many of the City of London’s vital service workers, from those in hospitality and retail through to those in transport, lost their livelihoods due to office workers no longer commuting into the City.
Early on in the pandemic, I met with my friend Pete Pentecost, a City A.M. worker who lost his job handing out free newspapers when the pandemic hit. We discussed how the office workers of the City could support the service sector and others in need, and we came up with The City Gives Back Project. This was an ambitious initiative aiming to raise at least £10,000 for the foodbank run by Christ Church Spitalfields (CCSPITS) in Tower Hamlets.
Having started with the ambition to raise £10,000, The City Gives Back initiative has so far raised nearly £50,000 with individual donations from NTT DATA UK’s staff, a generous donation from NTT DATA UK and from some of our clients such as Tokio Marine Kiln and Ascot Group. Together with volunteers from our staff and Insurance clients we have been visiting the CCSPITS food bank every Wednesday to pack food boxes for distribution to families on Thursdays.
As well as providing much-needed support to families in the Tower Hamlets area, The City Gives Back initiative has had other unforeseen benefits. Employees who volunteered felt grateful to be putting their energy into a good cause and to be helping those who had fallen on hard times. Volunteers enjoyed coming together to pack the boxes and felt a real sense of community and positivity in giving back to people, many of whom used to support us in our daily working lives before the pandemic began. Involvement in this cause helped maintain good mental wellbeing during the most challenging months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Organisations can learn important lessons from such initiatives implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic. These projects show what businesses can do when they push the boundaries of their expectations. One initial idea can blossom into something far bigger than expected, providing help to many more people than anticipated – including those involved as volunteers.
Initiatives to support local communities need not be limited to times of national crisis. Drawing on the sense of community that brought us together during the first lockdown, and expanding on the initiatives started as a result of the pandemic, we can continue to build a generous UK business community that remains committed to helping those in need.
Two years on from the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK is facing a looming cost-of-living crisis. With cost rises already affecting over 80% of households, many families will be wondering how they will continue to feed their families in the coming months. As communities face new challenges, organisations must continue to provide support where possible, whether it be through donations, volunteering, or other services.
With over 40 years’ worth of experience in the financial services sector and within consulting firms, Kim leads the Insurance Business Unit at NTT DATA UK and is a member of the Insurance Global Committee of NTT DATA Group. She is also Head of Diversity & Inclusion for NTT DATA UK, which includes overseeing the Women’s Business Network, Mental Wellbeing Forum, the LGBT+ and Allies Network, and the Culture & Ethnicity Network.
April
23apr12:0013:00The Perfect CV Masterclass | WeAreTheCity & City CV
23/04/2025 12:00 - 13:00(GMT+01:00)
WeAreTheCity & City CV are thrilled to present
Your CV is the passport to your professional future. The right one will bypass the technology and the initial 5-second human scan to earmark you for your target role. Isn’t that what a great CV is all about?
Writing your own CV doesn’t come naturally. Everyone benefits from fresh eyes, perspective and industry insight. Your CV must articulate your distinctive skills and attributes in a way that shows the value you bring to your future employer. With fewer open roles in the market, it’s never been more important to understand what recruiters look for in a CV, overhaul your CV and have your burning questions answered.
In this one-hour masterclass, learn CV writing tips and strategies from Victoria McLean, Founder and CEO of City CV – and a career industry expert, award winning CV writer and coach, who has helped over 20,000 candidates secure their dream role. Victoria has developed a nuanced and strategic approach, fusing market knowledge with a deep understanding of recruitment techniques to help build your brand and create a compelling CV story.
Learn how to create a strong and authentic CV which will get you noticed for the right reasons. Expertise and insider knowledge gathered from years of international CV writing and recruiting will be shared, including:
Looking for more career support? Explore our Career Resources page. Ready to take the next step? Browse the latest opportunities on our Job Board and find your perfect role today!
24apr10:0010:45Menopause & Mental Health | Free Taster Session
24/04/2025 10:00 - 10:45(GMT+01:00)
Menopause can have a profound impact on mental health – but too often, this is misunderstood, overlooked, or even ignored in professional environments. While organisations are
The truth is, for many women and those experiencing menopause, symptoms can go far beyond hot flushes. Brain fog, anxiety, low mood, and sleep disruption can affect confidence, performance, and overall mental health. Without the right support in place, these challenges can lead to increased absenteeism, presenteeism, or even cause people to leave the workforce altogether.
This 45-minute session is designed to change that. It’s a practical, supportive space for managers, HR professionals and wellbeing leads to build the confidence to spot the signs, open up conversations and create a culture where no one has to suffer in silence.
Whether you’re at the beginning of this journey or looking to strengthen your organisation’s approach, this session will help you better understand the mental health impact of menopause – and empower you to respond with empathy and confidence.
You’ll walk away with:
✅ A clearer understanding of how menopause can affect mental health in the workplace
✅ Confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling – and how to offer support
✅ A simple, effective approach to starting wellbeing conversations that make a difference
DATE: Thursday 24 April 2025
TIME: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
This isn’t about becoming an expert – it’s about showing up, listening, and learning how to create an environment where people feel seen, heard and supported.
Because when organisations take menopause seriously, everyone benefits.
Let’s start the conversation.
29apr11:4514:00Women in Business Networking - London networking - London City
29/04/2025 11:45 - 14:00(GMT+01:00)
The Anthologist
58 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7BB
Kick off your 2025 in style by networking with us. A fabulous mix of formal & informal networking over a facilitated business lunch
WIBN networking is here to create a platform for like-minded women, who passionately drive their business forward and collaborate with others to help them achieve success.
WIBN is a business network organisation for women business owners and employed professionals, who network each month over a facilitated business lunch. Our members support and encourage each other through collaboration and the sharing of business contacts and opportunities. The meetings are structured and effective, whilst also being supportive and friendly!
As Women Business Owners we know that one person can transform your business but think what you could achieve with a tribe of supportive and passionate business owners?? At WIBN we recognise that often women lack relevant networking opportunities simply because they network in a different way to men!
Our monthly meetings are a fabulous mix of formal and informal networking which includes your own 60 secs pitch, a focused spotlight session from a member and lunch.Our philosophy in this group is simple – No sister left behind! Come along to our WIBN group as a visitor and experience the potential to grow your business in a more productive way.
WIBN has a professional exclusivity policy so it’s one profession per group – see below * . As long as your profession is not already represented you would be welcome to visit a group twice before deciding if you want to join.
WIBN is a monthly membership group and a 12 month commitment will be required after you have visited a maximum of two times. Full details and prices will be given at the meeting.
*in the event that your profession is already represented at your chosen meeting then the organiser saves the right to propose another place or date. If we cannot relocate you then a full refund will be given.
30apr10:0016:00Women's Health Champion Course (CPD Accredited)
30/04/2025 10:00 - 16:00(GMT+01:00)
Periods, menopause,
They’re everyday realities for millions of women and they directly impact performance, engagement and retention.
But stigma, silence and a lack of knowledge mean many managers and HR professionals don’t know how to spot the signs or have the right conversations.
It’s time to change that.
Our Women’s Health Champion Training is designed to break the silence and build real, practical support in your organisation – every single day.
Delivered by two expert trainers, this engaging course covers:
✅ Menstrual health and managing period-related challenges
✅ Fertility, pregnancy, and baby loss (including returning to work)
✅ Gynaecological conditions like endometriosis, fibroids and PCOS
✅ Menopause and long-term wellbeing
✅ Practical strategies to create a truly inclusive culture
Date: Wednesday 30th April 2025
Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Place: Zoom
Cost: £495 per person
Or get in touch if you’d like us to create a bespoke course for your organisation.