Our Calendar of Events

In 2024, we kicked off our Drive calendar, celebrating the richness of our global community at Man Group with a number of events and initiatives. January began with Amigos de Man marking Día de los Reyes (Three Kings’ Day), a traditional Hispanic/Latinx celebration that brought colleagues together to share cultural traditions.

February featured multiple events, including US Black History Month, which highlighted the achievements and contributions of Black communities and celebrated our Black talent at Man Group. The East Asian Employee Group celebrated Lunar New Year, showcasing the importance of this cultural event. The Access Ability group hosted a Parent and Carer Event, creating space for employees to share their experiences, while a Conversation with Robyn Grew explored the Muslim and Arab Experience, deepening understanding of these communities in current times.

In March, Amigos de Man officially celebrated their 2023 launch with an event. International Women’s Day was marked by a Book Club and a talk with the author of ‘Revolting Women: Why Midlife Women are Walking Out and What to do About it’ by Dr Lucy Ryan. The SANAM group hosted their first Chit Chat Chai session of the year, while the Jewish Community at Man Group organised a Purim Awareness Event, sharing the festival’s traditions.

Being Chinese and having worked at Man Group for over a decade, as well as living in the UK for over two decades, I have a unique perspective and opportunity
to bridge different cultures. Having the chance to propose and organise the Lunar New Year Celebration for the first time at Man Group was monumental for colleagues who are proud to share their traditions and tell their stories. Together, we are making Man Group an inclusive and cohesive powerhouse, attracting even more talent!

The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 was ‘Inspiring Inclusion’ and we welcomed Dr Lucy Ryan. This honest conversation about why some women leave the workplace in midlife outlined the ‘collision’ of events that can happen which include caring for elderly parents, raising children and the menopause, alongside holding a senior role at work. Dr Ryan’s candid encouragement on what we, as allies, can do to support this talent pool was eye opening

The second quarter began with Allyship Week in April, our internal global celebration of inclusion and allyship. This was followed by a NextGen ‘Through the Looking Glass’ session with Robyn Grew, which gave us the opportunity to sit down with our CEO and learn more about her career journey. The Jewish Community at Man Group hosted a Passover Awareness Event, sharing the traditions and significance of this important festival.

In May, Amigos de Man celebrated Cinco de Mayo with an event highlighting Hispanic and Latinx culture and history. A session on ‘Exploring the Muslim Experience’ provided an opportunity for colleagues to reflect on the experiences of, and challenges facing, the Muslim community. The Veterans at Man group partnered with Combat Stress to host a session for Mental Health Awareness Week, addressing the mental health challenges faced by former service members and the ways that we can recognise struggle in a high pressure environment. Additionally, WAM (Women and Allies at Man) hosted ‘A Conversation with Heather Spilsbury’, focusing on women’s empowerment and leadership.

June saw vibrant celebrations for Pride Month, including our collaborative event with Bank of America. The BEAM network marked Juneteenth, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans, while Social Mobility Awareness Day spotlighted the importance of addressing barriers to opportunity with Progress Together’s Mona Vadher.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, I hosted a fireside chat with Simon West from Combat Stress. As the senior sponsor for the Veterans workstream and
with the personal experience of military life and the challenges it brings (both my parents served in the Royal Air Force and my father went on to head up one of the military’s leading welfare charities — the RAF Benevolent Fund), I wanted to create a platform to share the unique perspective military veterans bring to mental wellbeing.

Simon shared his powerful personal journey of navigating complex mental health challenges stemming from his experiences during military service. He offered invaluable insights into recognising the need for help, starting conversations, and building resilience. The session highlighted how veterans’ experiences can deepen our understanding
of mental health, particularly the importance of seeking support and fostering a culture of openness. By exploring mental health through this lens, we aim to break stigma and encourage meaningful conversations that strengthen our workplace community.

I am Black British and grew up in Leicester, East Midlands. My mum was a young single parent and worked in textiles factories and as a cleaner. I
attended a state primary school and then had a full bursary to attend a private secondary school. I was the first person in our family to attend university and I studied accounting and management at Aston University, Birmingham. I joined Man Group in 2019 as a finance business partnering manager. Prior to joining Man Group, I worked in several organisations, including eight years at Barclays as an operations vice president.

I think it is important to acknowledge that the playing field in terms of access to education and opportunities is often not level and understanding social mobility is crucial to diversity, particularly diversity of thought.

During Pride Month, Pride@Man partnered with Bank of America’s LGBTQ+ Network to host a panel discussion — the first collaboration of its kind for Drive. The discussion was honest and impactful, as we navigated the importance of authenticity and belonging in the workplace. We look forward to continuing to work with other networks in the industry.

July marked South Asian Heritage Month, with events celebrating the traditions and contributions of South Asian communities. FAM and SANAM collaborated on a ‘Tooled Up’ session for parents, focusing on children’s mental health and resilience, while SANAM’s next Chit Chat Chai event titled ‘From Microchips to Macrotrends’ explored career insights and the tech investment industry. Additionally, FAM launched its Elder Care Peer Support Group, offering resources and connection for colleagues caring for ageing relatives. The month also featured a NextGen ‘Through the Looking Glass’ session with Romy Shum, providing career insights for the next generation of leaders.

In September the East Asian Employee Group hosted a Mid-Autumn Festival event, sharing traditions of this significant cultural celebration including tea and mooncakes in our offices. Global Inclusion Week reinforced the importance of fostering an inclusive workplace. The Jewish Community at Man Group celebrated the High Holydays, sharing the significance of these spiritual observances. Closing the quarter, a Breaking Barriers Skills Workshop helped the refugee clients of Breaking Barriers to build capabilities to overcome professional challenges. The NextGen Buddy Scheme that ran in September was a wonderful example of inclusion in action, welcoming the new graduates, apprentices and interns of Man Group by ‘buddying’ them feel welcome.

It was wonderful to see the NextGen Buddy Scheme initiative foster a welcoming environment for new joiners. Being involved with the administration of the
initiative, I saw firsthand how buddies who are existing Man colleagues can help ease the transition, offering guidance on workplace culture and practical tips where needed. It’s rewarding to see these connections thrive, with participants praising the support and confidence their buddies provide.

In September, we organised a Wellbeing Fair to emphasise our commitment to fostering a supportive and healthy workplace culture, helping employees thrive, both personally and professionally. The event aimed to highlight the wide range of benefits and support available to employees, from mental health resources to physical wellness initiatives, ensuring everyone feels empowered to access the tools they need. The atmosphere was engaging, offering opportunities to learn, connect, and reflect on self-care.

In the final quarter of the year, Amigos de Man hosted Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations in October in our different offices around the world, showcasing the rich traditions and contributions of Hispanic cultures. BEAM marked Black History Month with a BEAM lunch and an inspiring talk by Fudia Smartt all on the theme: Reclaiming Narratives. Access Ability organised a Neurodiversity Lunch & Learn, raising awareness and fostering understanding of neurodiverse experiences and highlighting the support available at Man Group. Additionally, a World Mental Health Day event with Eric Burl and Stuart White shone a light on the importance of speaking more on the topic of mental health in the workplace.

In November, ‘A Conversation on Leadership’ with Dr Lissa Young provided thought-provoking perspectives on leadership and personal growth. The month also saw the launch of WomanTalk, a new initiative to discuss health topics that can often be seen as taboo in the workplace.

December began with our annual #PositivelyPurple Week which included International Day of Persons with Disabilities. An Access Ability Café created space for open conversations, and FAM ended the year on a joyful note with the Children’s Festive Party.

WomanTalk emerged from many conversations between Rebecca and Alex about their passion for holistic health and wellbeing. It became clear that they both had a desire to share knowledge, personal experiences and tips that can be incorporated into the everyday lives of all women at Man, as well as providing insights and understanding for allies too. Building on last year’s successful event, they look forward to hosting relaxed and informal sessions to foster open dialogue about women’s health in the workplace.

BEAM’s Black History Month celebrations included a keynote event — Reclaiming Narratives with Fudia Smartt. We were really pleased to welcome Fudia back to Man Group again. This was an insightful and honest session. Fudia explored the complex narratives surrounding Black people in the UK, the science behind stereotypes and their impacts. Her explanation of understanding proximity and perception gaps and their impact in the workplace led to lots of questions from the audience. This was an event we all learned from — we are looking forward to her next visit!

I was diagnosed with unilateral hearing loss about four years ago, and it is amazing to be in a country and company that supports me and my career, enabling me to be the best version of myself and helping me in ways that don’t let my disability hold me back.
Hearing loss comes with its own challenges, as with all disabilities, and I am so glad that I was brave enough to ask for the help that was readily available for me and improved my life (especially my work-life).

Celebrating ‘Positively Purple Week’ in December really emphasises the value that disabled individuals can bring to a workplace and raises awareness on how workplaces can support them so they can thrive.

Want to find out more more about DEI at Man Group? Check out their article below: