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EDI INTIATIVE

Summary

Recognising a significant gender imbalance within Oxa, I co-initiated a company-wide equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) programme alongside the Head of Talent. The initiative focused on strengthening inclusive culture, improving global talent attraction and embedding EDI principles across recruitment, communications and people practices, with the ambition of driving meaningful change both internally and within the wider technology sector.

Objectives

(1) Insight & Evidence: Build a clear understanding of the organisation’s EDI landscape through data and feedback

(2) Education & Engagement: Establish measurable EDI goals and support learning across the business

(3) Inclusive Recruitment & Employer Branding: Embed EDI principles into hiring processes and employer positioning​

Approach & Delivery

  • Partnered closely with the Head of Talent, HR leadership and the VP of People to shape and deliver the programme

  • Led a workplace audit and collaborated with Inclusive Companies to deliver an employee engagement survey

  • Established internal employee voice groups and facilitated regular forums to surface insight and build community

  • Delivered education initiatives including 'lunch & learn' sessions and expert-led workshops

  • Worked with external partners (e.g. Applied, SheCanCode and Tech Nation) to strengthen inclusive hiring practices

  • Reviewed and optimised recruitment processes based on expert guidance and research

  • Strengthened employer brand through inclusive content, imagery, job descriptions, and a targeted CSR drive

  • Represented the organisation at recruitment events

  • Identified sponsorship opportunities to support underrepresented groups

  • Reviewed competitor benchmarks and contributed to improvements in policies and benefits

  • Led EDI-focused internal communications for ~200 employees and supported management training

Outcomes & Impact

  • Delivered an approximate 500% increase in female applications for technical roles

  • Introduced new employee initiatives, including an enhanced maternity policy and expanded benefits package

  • Recorded a 30% increase in employee satisfaction in follow-up engagement surveys

© 2026 by Madeleine Portwain

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