Stephen Frost - The Inclusion Imperative: How Real Inclusion Creates Better Business and Builds Better Societies

For Dad

S tephen Frost is a globally recognised inclusion expert, and Principal of Frost Included (www.frostincluded.com), an inclusive leadership and consulting practice. From 200712 he served as Head of Diversity and Inclusion for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

At London 2012, he was responsible for designing, implementing and delivering results in Diversity and Inclusion across a 200,000 workforce, 1.1 billion procurement budget, 57 delivery functions and 134 venues. His team achieved unprecedented workforce inclusion and established new standards in supplier diversity. It was the first time any Olympic or Paralympic Games had ever delivered such an inclusion programme.

From 200407 Stephen established and led the workplace team at Stonewall, Europes largest gay-equality organisation: establishing and growing the Diversity Champions programme; launching the UKs first lesbian and gay recruitment guide; establishing the LGBT Leadership programme in conjunction with Harvard University; and developing the Workplace Equality Index, which has become a standard performance measure across many global employers.

Stephen started his career in advertising where he worked on disability and age awareness campaigns and has worked in consultancy and communications in the USA, China, Greece, Tanzania and Israel. He teaches at Harvard University, USA, Sciences Po, France and in organisations worldwide. He advises the International Paralympic Committee, Novartis, BP and the governments of the UK and Singapore on inclusive leadership and diversity best practice.

He was a Hertford College Scholar at Oxford, a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He is Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (www.cipd.co.uk) and was elected recipient of the 2010 Peter Robertson Award for Equality and Diversity Champions. In 2011 he was named one of the top 100 influential LGBT people in the UK, and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. Harvard University awarded him a Visiting Fellowship in order to complete this book.

He can be contacted via www.frostincluded.com.

I n 1994, the Yorkshire Schools Exploring Society taught me I am part of all that I have met. I have been fortunate in life to meet some extraordinary people; smart people who care, many of whom share my passion for Diversity and Inclusion.

Marty Linsky and Dean Williams, for the leadership lessons that have stood the test of time and inspired a generation. Marie Danziger, for helping me find my voice and always believing in me. Steve Kelman, for focused advice (and lunch). Max Bazerman, for telling me to forget the agent and go direct. Iris Bohnet, for the Davos chat, the Fellowship invitation and the best supervision possible. Victoria Budson, Megan Farwell and the whole team at the Women and Public Policy Program who provided me not just with a Fellowship, but also with the space, time and support to get this done.

Loreen Arbus, Pamela Gallin, Francine Le Frak and the Harvard Womens Leadership Board. Margaret Traub, Phyllis Dicker, Tim McCarthy, and the team at the Carr Centre for Human Rights.

Mrs Hall, Mr Tibbitts, Mr Hartley, Mrs Galloway, Dr Coones, Paul Bennett, Felicity Callard, Ben Page, Tony Gomez-Ibanez; the teachers in my life who have got me from the beginning and been selfless in their help, advice and counsel.

Young Global Leaders Benjamin Skinner, Michelle Wucker, Lorna Sollis, Valerie Keller, Andrew Lee, Gina Badenoch, Stefan Reichenbach, Lucian Tarnowski and Mark Turrell, for the support and friendship. Kennedy School Leadership Teaching Assistants Shannon McAuliffe, Netaly Ophir Flint, Michael Koehler, Brent Hire, Tim OBrien, Francisco Lanus, Chris Lien and Andrew Johnston. Fellow Harvard colleague Paola Cecchi Dimeglio, for the sage and selfless advice.

Paul Deighton, the best Chief Executive in the world ever, really. Jean Tomlin, from whom I learned so much. Charlie Wijeratna, David Luckes and Dan Perret for hiring me. Sue Hunt, who defined triumph in adversity. Charles Allen, for the mentoring and wine. Tanni Grey-Thompson, for allowing us to believe in the British establishment again. Greg Nugent, Terry Miller, James Bulley, Debbie Jevans, Floella Benjamin, John Amaechi, Paul Elliott, Mike Brace, Ayesha Qureshi, Paul Ntullia and Barbara Soetan, for defining how a Diversity Board can drive change.

The Diversity and Inclusion team, who surpassed themselves and made history, Tom Secker-Walker, Lauren Finnegan, Jackie Parkin, Andrew Moncrieffe, Mark Todd, Margaret Hickish, Lou Oastler. The countless interns, Ben Supple, Garmina Jain, Laura Birkman, Jennifer Choi, Anne Babalola, Abdul Hassan, Kohinur Aktar, volunteers and corporate refugees Bernie Oastler, Joe Troedsen, Pierre-Louis Fayon and Darren Naylor who constantly inspired us through their selfless commitment. This book is also dedicated to one of our team who did not make it to the finishing line, the unique and brilliant talent that is David Morris.

All the friends who helped me with the proposal and who conscientiously scrutinised early drafts and provided honest and essential feedback, Dean Cerrato, Micaela Connery, Andrea Coomber, Joseph Dancey, Brooke Ellison, Steve Girdler, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Laurent Grossi, Steve Humerickhouse, Sue Hunt, Mike Innes, Danny Kalman, Andrew Lee, Michele Lucia, Laurie Neville, Tom Secker-Walker, Nick and Cherayar Selmes, David Young.

Mathew Smith, Nancy Wallace and the team at Kogan Page for believing in this project from its inception, and for counsel during the journey.

To my Mum, the nicest human being in the world, Emma my sister and hero and in memory of Dad. I love you unconditionally, I owe you everything and this book is for you.

Most of all, thank you to the men and women of London 2012 whose courage, creativity and talent showed the world what can be achieved when a diverse team pulls together and achieves its individual and collective potential.

Stephen Frost, London

I visited London in February 2010. Stephen Frost, the Head of Diversity and Inclusion at London 2012, had badgered my office for a long time and I was rather impressed with what he was doing, so I agreed to help.

I visited the Olympic Park and saw with my own eyes the transformation that was taking place. I met local school children and then returned to the London 2012 Offices to meet the Board. After a cup of tea with Princess Anne, I addressed the London 2012 staff, followed by a session just with the Heads of Department.

Not content with that, Stephen then had me address the great and the good at the Royal Society of Arts. I told him then that I would fix him, in a non-violent way.