Teresa Boughey MA FCIPD is founder and CEO of National Award-Winning Jungle HR, a strategic HR Consultancy Practice that works with Executive Boards and Leadership Teams during times of change and business transformation.
Teresa has extensive Strategic HR experience, operating at a Senior level within a variety of industries and sectors including FTSE 250, Financial Services, Travel Industry, Private and Public Sectors and a Sunday Times Top 100 Company that grew 20 per cent year on year. Teresa has also been appointed to one of only 50 UK Female Entrepreneur Ambassador roles and is currently a member of the All Party Parliamentary Groups for Women and Enterprise and Women and Work.
Teresa is the author of new book Closing the Gap, which has reached Amazon bestseller status in three catagories.
Learn more at www.junglediversity.com
Tell us a bit about yourself, background and your current role
I have over 20 years’ HR experience at senior management and director level, operating within a variety of industry sectors including FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies, financial services, travel and tourism, public and charitable organisations. I hold an MA in Human Resources Management and am a Chartered Fellow of CIPD. I’m a #1 bestselling author, keynote speaker and an active member of two All Party Parliamentary Groups influencing Government on Policy.
I work with Executive Boards and Leadership teams during times of change and business transformation and I understand only too well the challenges facing organisations today, particularly as they strive to balance the demands of the current economic landscape whilst striving to attract and retain top talent.
My specialism is Inclusion and Diversity. I am the author of #1 bestselling book Closing the Gap – 5 steps to creating and Inclusive Culture which is based on the tribe5 Diversity & Inclusion ™ methodology that I have created.
Did you ever sit down and plan your career?
No! As a teenage mother my career path had to take a different route. Lifelong learning is however important to me and so I studied at evening classes to gain professional qualifications whilst juggling a young family, running a home and trying to decide which career path to take.
Have you faced any challenges along the way?
Yes! My passion and drive to support women in the workplace comes from a very personal journey. As a teenage mother I endured the challenges of judgmental social labels and had to overcome many obstacles when climbing the corporate ladder. Like many women, I suffered discrimination and had to fight hard to break through the glass ceiling, whilst trying to maintain a good work life balance and support my family.
At just 45 yrs. old, I’m a mother to Melanie (28yrs) and James (11yrs), and a grandmother to Leigh (7yrs). I feel compelled to demonstrate the importance of strong and inspirational female role models, not only to my own children and granddaughter, but strive to be a beacon of possibility for others. I therefore regularly share my career journey with young girls via talks at schools, colleges and Business Schools.
What has been your biggest achievement to date?
My recent achievement, and the one which I am most proud of, is becoming the #1 bestselling author of ‘Closing the Gap – 5 Steps to Creating an Inclusive Culture’. Despite only being released in March 2019, the book has reached the top in categories including HR and Personnel Management, Business and Finance Reference (Kindle Store) and Human Resource Management, overtaking fellow esteemed authors such as Simon Sinek, Patrick Lencioni and Sir John Whitmore. Clearly demonstrating its appeal to high-level business professionals across the spectrum.
Closing the Gap is based on the unique tribe5 Diversity & Inclusion ™ methodology which I have created to provide a clear framework for business leaders, directors and HR professionals to transform their organisation’s culture to one which embraces Diversity & Inclusion; a culture where people feel a sense of belonging when they come to work and be in an environment where they feel respected and valued for their unique difference.
What one thing do you believe has been a major factor in you achieving success?
The determination to be a beacon of possibilities for others. Greatness is just outside of your comfort zone – so be proactive and never give up!
How do you feel about mentoring? Have you mentored anyone or are you someone’s mentee?
Mentoring is so important. I benefited greatly from being mentored in the early part of my career. The support and encouragement I received was tremendous. The exposure to senior leadership challenges which I experienced so early on in my career certainly aided the accelerator of my knowledge and confidence.
If you could change one thing to accelerate the pace of change for Gender Parity, what would it be?
I’d like us to move away from the notion of women need fixing in order to fit in, and shift towards a more holistic approach which focuses on the need for organisational culture to be more reflective of modern-day society.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self what would it be?
Believe in yourself – be brave & have fun!
What is your next challenge and what are you hoping to achieve in the future?
My mission is to help over 10,000 companies to create an Inclusive workplace culture. To enable over 2.5 million people to feel a sense of belonging when they come to work; to be in an environment where they feel respected and valued for their unique difference.
To do this I will be promoting the tribe5 Diversity & Inclusion ™ methodology through various channels: my #1 bestselling book, keynote speaking and an on-line Academy which will be launching soon!
