Mind the Gap with Mariella

Mariella Frostrup is one of the UK’s most respected broadcasters and columnists. Her contribution to arts and literature along with her advocacy on gender and social issues have placed her at the forefront of the cultural landscape. She made the groundbreaking BBC1 documentary The Truth about Menopause and she currently presents her own daily show on Times Radio covering issues of the day.

She is also the chair of Menopause Mandate UK & US and co- founder of WIW UK

Pavita is UK Chair of the 30% Club, campaigning for greater female representation at board and executive level across Britain’s leading companies. She works with boards and executive teams to build culture and inclusion across their organisations.

Pavita is recognised as a leading culture and diversity expert; she has over 30 years’ experience as a talent, leadership & culture executive leader across a range of multi-sector global blue-chip organisations, including Shell, Barclays and Lloyds Banking Group. Pavita has acted as an advisor to boards, CEOs, executive teams and business leaders across sectors that include financial services, energy, consumer, professional services, luxury goods & privately-owned businesses.

Having led in-house board-level appointments and promotion processes, she understands that organisations need commitment at all levels to create inclusive workplaces. Pavita combines her deep technical expertise with an ability to frame insights in a direct but compelling style. Pavita is a passionate advocate of greater diversity across the C-Suite and committed to accelerating the progression of “hidden” talent: women, ethnic minorities and leaders from less traditional backgrounds. She is a regular speaker on women in business, increasing ethnic minority representation and the acceleration of diverse talent in the pipeline to the C-Suite and boardroom.

Pavita believes in the power of giving back; she mentors young people from ethnically diverse and socially disadvantaged backgrounds and regularly speaks at inner city schools across the country through Speakers for Schools. She also serves as a trustee of the Prince’s Trust, the lead NED to an agency of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and a trustee of the Old Vic. Pavita has recently stepped down from the Equalities & Human Rights’ Commission where she served as a commissioner for five years.

Pavita was awarded Woman of the Year at the Asian Business Awards in 2017 and more recently presented with the President’s Medal by the British Academy of Management and recognised by Women in the City as a Top 50 Trailblazer for gender equality.