Search the site
People
We have the skills and experience to steer you through difficult and sometimes divisive territory.
Diversity by Design was co-founded by Simon Fanshawe OBE, who leads on development and delivery, and Roy Hutchins, whose training expertise informs every approach and tool in the toolkit.
Together, they have forged a way of working that is intellectually rigorous, bravely nuanced, and highly entertaining, which means you’ll enjoy as well as learn from the process.
Simon Fanshawe OBE.
Simon has been working with organisations on their diversity and inclusion policies and practices in this capacity since 2010. In 2022, HR magazine placed him second in their list of ‘most original thinkers in diversity’ . In the same year his book, ‘The Power of Difference’ was published by Kogan Page and won the Chartered Management Institute book of the year.
Alongside his commitment to Diversity by Design, Simon remains a sought-after journalist and broadcaster, writing extensively on equality, social policy, politics, the arts, and culture. He currently writes regularly in Sunday Times Business and also co-hosts the Fearless Diversity podcast.
Simon brings huge personal insight and professional credibility to the table.
In 1989, he was one of the six original founders of Stonewall, which transformed the face of gay rights. He also has wide-ranging experience in governance and organisational change across the public and private sectors and currently serves on the Boards of the Hexagon Housing and PowerfulWomen
In 2013, Simon was awarded an OBE for services to Higher Education. He was also made an Honorary Doctor of the University of Sussex for services to diversity and human rights, having previously served as Chair of the Council since 2007.
Roy Hutchins.
After a highly successful career in the arts, Roy made the move into management consultancy, following requests from a number of organisations to make their training more relevant and engaging.
In conjunction with fellow consultants and clients, Roy wrote and designed original theatre and video-based development programmes for several large consultancies, before becoming a director and senior consultant for Astar Management Consultants Ltd.
Roy’s areas of training design have included equal opportunity programmes, disability awareness programmes, sexual and racial harassment programmes, bullying in the workplace programmes, and first contact officer training – among many, many more.
Prior to this, Roy had an award-winning career as a writer, director, performer, and producer for theatre, radio and television. Roy has also lectured at the University of Brighton and worked extensively with education charities, implementing conflict resolution programmes and drama based workshops in London schools and pupil referral units.
Roy’s experience means he is particularly adept at understanding the needs of organisations and designing training and change programmes that are relevant and highly engaging.
Let’s start the conversation.
You don’t need to know the solutions you are looking for – everything begins with a conversation so please get in touch to find out more.
Simon Fanshawe is nothing if he is not practical, purposeful and provocative in the ED&I conversation. In advising HR and Organisation Leaders on diversity strategies, I’m always struck by his commercial approach.
Chief People Officer. ICBC Standard Bank Plc
Simon is quick witted and charming which disarms the sceptics and disarms the ill-informed and he de-mystify the most complex and nuanced of themes in an instant. He speaks from truth, and multi-layered knowledge and experience and is determined to get to the root cause of an issue, never taking things at face value.
Director of People, Culture & Change at Stonewater
Simon is charming, funny and keeps things real. His sense of humour, and real-life stories, made the session enjoyable even when the subject matter was challenging.
CEO GS1 (the barcode standards organisation)
