If you’re looking to access and support the pool of highly-qualified, diverse returner talent, please join us at our next Career Returners Employer Insight and Networking Event. At this free-of-charge online event, we’ll be talking about Returner Programmes in Practice.

We have a panel of our brilliant employer partners joining us, to share their own lived experience of returner programmes, both returnships and supported hiring into permanent roles. Our speakers are from leading returner employers BT, EDF and Gallagher Re. They include a Programme Manager, a Recruitment Manager, a Line Manager and a Returner, so you’ll benefit from hearing the viewpoint of all the stakeholders involved in making a returner programme successful.

Our panellists will share their experiences and practical insights – from gaining business approval, to hiring returning professionals, to integrating them into the business, together with the returner participant’s personal journey back into a professional role.

Following the panel there will be a Q&A. Then you will have the opportunity to connect with other forward-thinking employers in small groups, to exchange ideas and gain actionable guidance on creating a workplace that values experience, diversity and a fresh perspective.

Agenda (GMT)

09:15 – 09:20    Welcome & Intro

09:20 – 10:10    Panel discussion followed by Q&A

10:10 – 10:40    Shared learning breakout rooms

10:40 – 10:45    Closing comments

Panellists

Michelle Baggs, Head of HR, EDF Business Solutions

Michelle has been leading on EDF’s Returners Programme, for the last two years. The 6-month returnship has proved to be a really successful diverse talent pipeline. As a Heads of People, Michelle’s role forms part of the Customers and Corporate Division of EDF UK and is aligned with EDF Business Solutions. Michelle is responsible for designing a People Strategy, delivering interventions that create amazing people experiences which in turn drive amazing customer outcomes and a great place to work. 

Geoff Thorpe, Recruitment Manager, EDF

Geoff has a key responsibility to ensure diverse hiring across every area of the business and helped introduce the concept of a Returners Programme into EDF in 2022. Viewed as a rich seam of talent in a very competitive marketplace, the Returner Programme has become an established part of EDF’s recruitment strategy over the past three years. Geoff heads up the recruitment function for the Non-Nuclear divisions of EDF Energy and is responsible for overseeing the recruitment of circa 1500 new starters per year. 

Freddie Scarratt, Global Deputy Head – InsurTech & UK Head of Mortgage, Gallagher Re

Freddie was a line manager for Mellisa, a returner who joined Gallagher Re on a Supported Hiring programme. He is an enthusiastic advocate of the benefits of returner hiring. Freddie is Gallagher Re’s InsurTech Global Deputy Head, leading the offering in the UK, EMEA and APAC regions with a focus InsurTech reinsurance broking and client advisory. Freddie aims to bridge the gap between the insurance and technology sectors and enable clients to capitalize on the vast opportunities presented by the evolution of InsurTech. 

Pallavi Kejriwal, Returner Participant with BT 

Pallavi joined BT through the BT Returners Programme in February 2024, after a 8-year career break. Pallavi leads the Strategy and Operations function for the Digital Marketing team within BT Business. A strong advocate for employee engagement, she is also an active member of BT’s Gender Equality network, championing diversity and inclusion initiatives. Prior to her career break, Pallavi successfully managed her own business with a global career spanning the US, Mexico, and India.

Target Audience

The event is aimed at you, if you:

• Are considering running a returner programme in the future
• Are interested in building diverse talent pipelines
• Are implementing a returner programme with Career Returners and would welcome the opportunity to learn from others who have managed this successfully
• Are an experienced Career Returners returner-inclusive employer partner who wants to connect and learn from peers and to share your experience