Episode 194. Transforming Workplaces with Data, Inclusion and Purpose - Kate Mathias, Global Chief People Officer, Clyde & Co

Kate discusses driving change through inclusive people strategies rooted in strong commercial foundations. For example, Kate shares the story behind LifeWorks, the Clyde & Co’s gender-neutral parental leave policy that provides six months of fully paid leave. Backed by a strong business case, the policy has driven real impact - boosting retention, engagement, and uptake among men - showing how HR can influence both culture and business outcomes. Kate also shares how Clyde & Co is creating new pathways into the legal profession through initiatives such as solicitor apprenticeships, a paralegal academy, and the award-winning LIFT programme. These efforts support underrepresented talent by removing traditional barriers and offering paid placements. Rooted in the firm’s strategy of enabling everyone to thrive, this work reflects Kate’s own journey as the first in her family to attend university. Kate shares one wish for every HR leader: to build commercial and data-led storytelling capability, sharing her view that understanding business drivers and using data to make a compelling case is key to driving positive change.  Thank you to Kin&Co for sponsoring this episode  What makes an organisation thrive in today’s complex world? It’s not just about strategy or financial results - it’s about culture.  This episode is sponsored by Kin&Co, a certified B Corp and female-owned consultancy on a mission to make work better for 10 million people by 2030. Kin & Co believe that the most impactful organisations will cultivate thriving, human-centred cultures where people are motivated by purpose, resilience, and empowered to perform at their best. Drawing on cutting-edge behavioural science and an inclusive approach, Kin&Co help global organisations transform their cultures, sparking lasting behaviour change that drives measurable impact on strategy, people, and performance. Their new model for organisational change is shaped by deep experience in culture transformation. If you’re intrigued, Kin&Co invites you to explore your own organisational culture with their free Thriving Cultures Diagnostic - a simple, insightful tool backed by behavioural science and inspired by nature. It provides a clear snapshot of your current culture and suggests practical actions to drive better behaviours, strategic shifts, and stronger organisational performance.  To learn more and take the diagnostic, click here: Kin&Co. 👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community You’ll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.  Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn   Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work? Each month we recommend a book that challenges, motivates and uplifts, every pick is selected to spark meaningful conversations and personal growth. Our June Book of the Month is The Joy of Work: 30 Ways to Fix Your Work Culture and Fall in Love with Your Job Again by Bruce Daisley. Who, wonderfully, is alumnus on this very podcast!  Bruce offers a refreshing and radical rethink of how we can transform our workdays - a guide packed with energising, evidence-based ideas that show how small changes can reignite joy, connection and purpose in our everyday working lives.  Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab a copy, and we hope you enjoy this month’s Uplifting Book!