The Making Sponsorship Work initiative brings together perspectives from senior business leaders, governance experts and leading researchers working at the intersection of leadership, talent and organisational effectiveness.
Contributors include:
Nick Kirk
Chief Executive Officer
Michael Page
Nick joined Michael Page in 1995 specialising in sales recruitment within the technology sector. He progressed through a number of leadership roles before being appointed UK Managing Director in 2018. In 2021, he joined the Executive Board, extending his remit to include North America. Nick became Chief Executive Officer in January 2023, leading the development of the Group’s new strategy. In his current role, he is responsible for the operational leadership of c. 7000 people in 34 countries giving him unparalleled exposure to managing businesses across different markets and cultures. He is a strong supporter of social mobility working with a small number of charities to open up opportunities in the workplace.
Sue Whalley
Chief People and Performance Officer
Associated British Foods Plc
Currently CPPO at ABF, Sue is a senior leader with broad experience and strong track record delivering strategic, operational, and transformational change in large FTSE100 organisations including digital transformation, leadership and culture development, and new business models. She has managed major service businesses at Royal Mail as CEO Post and Parcels UK, negotiated commercial agreements with Government and Unions, and led corporate change including IPO activity and responses to market and operational disruption. She is a former McKinsey partner, also now NED and Remco Chair at Centrica plc. She is active in diversity and inclusion leadership through advisory, mentoring and sponsorship roles.
Vivienne Artz OBE
CEO
FTSE Women Leaders
Through Vivienne’s various Board and C-suite advisory roles, and as Chair of numerous industry body and thought leadership groups, she is delighted to have the opportunity to work with leaders and experts to help shape the future, policy and actions of those focused on enabling an innovative and inclusive future for all.
Joanne Wilson
Chief Financial Officer
WPP Plc
Joanne Wilson is Chief Financial Officer at WPP plc and is responsible for all aspects of Finance, Real Estate, Procurement and Enterprise Technology. Joanne was formerly the Chief Financial Officer and Chair of the ESG Committee at Britvic. Prior to Britvic Joanne enjoyed a successful career at Tesco where she gained extensive experience both in the UK and internationally in a variety of financial and commercial roles. These included Chief Financial Officer of dunnhumby, a global leader in customer data science. Joanne began her career at KPMG, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant and spent three years in Hong Kong. She is currently a non-executive director of Informa plc (LSE:INF).
David Germain
NED/Board Advisor
Portfolio
David is a multi-sector NED who partners with executive teams and boards to shape strategy, uphold strong governance, and deliver sustainable value for stakeholders. With over 30 years in financial services, he brings a strong track record navigating complex regulation, leading digital, data, and AI-enabled transformation, and strengthening culture and diversity. He focuses on risk oversight, accountability, and organisational resilience, and is passionate about mentoring leaders, advancing ESG practices, and driving transformation across people, processes, and technology at global scale.
Prof. Elena Doldor
Professor of Leadership and Diversity
Queen Mary Business School
Centre for Research in Equality & Diversity
Elena is a recognised expert in leadership progression and inclusion, with 20 years of research, thought leadership and advisory experience. Her work has supported national reviews (FTSE Women Leaders, Hampton-Alexander and Davies Reviews), and helped leading organisations advance more inclusive leadership.
Dr. Madeleine Wyatt
Reader in Diversity and Inclusion
King’s Business School
King’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership
Madeleine’s research focuses on politics at work and sponsorship, and how these influence careers and workplace inequality. She has worked with leading organisations, public sector bodies and major political parties to address barriers to career progression.
