About Us
Making workplaces better for everyone
We are privileged to work across both the public and private sector including many companies in the FTSE 100 & 250 and Fortune 1000.
From its foundation in 2014 by adventurers, entrepreneurs and speakers Debra Searle and Hayley Barnard, Mix Diversity has grown to be one of the most respected and sought-after Diversity & Inclusion consultancies in the world.
Built from expert communicators and facilitators with lived experience, the Mix team is uniquely placed to help people shift their perceptions and foster real change. There are no box-tickers here: we put real thought into what we do – creating usable, bespoke DEI solutions that actually make a difference.
Hayley Barnard
Chief Executive Officer
Hayley is a highly acclaimed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategist and Executive Coach who is trusted by senior leaders and global Boards. Founder of Mix Diversity, she has partnered with organisations including JLR, Altrad and Forvis Mazars to embed inclusion into leadership and culture. With 20+ years as a non-executive director, Hayley brings governance expertise and commercial insight. Known for her candid, practical style, she helps leadership teams to future-proof their organisations by aligning leadership, culture, and innovation.
Stef Clifton-Sprigg
Client Director
An experienced DEI change partner, Stef drives global transformation programmes that embed inclusion into organisational culture. Blending strategic insight with creativity, she delivers audits, inclusive communications and leadership interventions. Stef has co-designed e-learning in 30+ languages and advised clients including Glanbia plc, Eurovia and Specsavers. Currently completing an MBA at the University of Exeter, Stef has a Certificate in D&I from Cornell and First-Class Honours in English. Stef partners with leadership teams to align inclusion and culture with performance and purpose.
Wendy Patterson
Operations Manager
Wendy is the operational heartbeat of Mix Diversity, ensuring complex client programmes run seamlessly from start to finish. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and calm, systematic approach, she thrives on making good things happen behind the scenes so clients experience high‑quality outcomes. With deep expertise in operational leadership, Wendy coordinates global programmes, aligns teams, manages timelines, and upholds the highest standards.Dedicated, precise, and client‑focused, Wendy ensures every transformation is delivered with care and lasting impact.
Leela Bassi
EDI, Bullying & Harassment Trainer
Tom Crawford
Leadership & Culture Consultant, Exec Coach
Ebony Owusu-Nepaul
Intersectionality & Race Consultant
Paul Helsby
Policy and Employee Relations Specialist
Kris Bachoo
EDI & Psychological Safety Trainer, Exec Coach
Aaron Gabriel
Inclusive Communications Consultant
Pauline Isherwood
EDI Expert Trainer & Facilitator
Wendy Sales
Reward & Pay Gap Consultant
The Mix Approach
We approach everything we do with enthusiasm and passion because we believe giving everyone a seat at the table is our responsibility. All our work, from training shop-floor staff to presenting to your board of directors, is designed on four key principles:
Spark change
We spark change in the right places, making sure it sticks. We make it in two places – within leadership and on a personal level. We work with these two variables to ensure we make the biggest impact possible.
This means that our message hits home and provides people the motivation to change at work and in their daily lives. We also help smooth transitions for leaders, ensuring they’re able to focus on what’s important.
Candid but kind
The work we do is sensitive, because bringing people face-to-face with their bias and privilege can be challenging. Showing people a side of themselves they didn’t realise was there, and giving them the space to come to terms with it, requires clear communication and understanding.
We hold kindness and fun in high regard because they help us instil comfort and bring down walls. We call it ‘candid but kind’: we’ll show you your blind spots and what to do about it in no uncertain terms, but we’ll walk the journey with you, and help you overcome it. You’re here to do the right thing, and we’re here to help.
Everything DEI
It feels like the world is changing faster than ever before. People see themselves and their workplaces differently, raising new questions around who we should be and what is and isn’t acceptable.
We help companies navigate this ever-changing world to meet their diversity and culture goals. We never drop the ball, no matter what clients throw our way. Whether it’s a talk or training, or something bespoke that’s never been done before – we’re ready to build it with you.
If it falls under DEI, we have a solution for you.
This is personal
Making workplaces better for everyone is a responsibility that Mix takes very seriously.
Each project is guided, not only by expert knowledge and experience, but by our passion to help people feel that they belong, that they can give their best and be noticed.
Diversity and Inclusion is a daily endeavour, not a once-a-year update, so we’ll continue to offer advice, updates, and perspective to help you make the changes you need to build a better workplace. From the simple stuff, like wording an email, to bigger things, like your recruitment process.
Find out more
Wherever you are on your inclusivity journey, Mix can help get you where you want to go. Get in touch to find out more.
Thought leadership
Expert insights, tips and resources for a better workplace culture
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Case Study: Building Inclusive Leadership Across 11 Countries
Specsavers, one of the world’s largest optical and audiology businesses, partnered with Mix to build inclusive leadership capability across its global workforce. Together, they created a bespoke programme that challenged assumptions, supported cultural change and aligned with company values, then scaled it globally through localisation and a train-the-trainer model.
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Inclusive Leadership Guide
A Mix deep-dive into Inclusive Leadership: what it means, why it matters, what it looks like, common challenges and how to bring it into your organisation (and make it stick).
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Unlocking the value of intergenerational teams
Mike Mansfield and Stef Clifton-Sprigg explore the business value of intergenerational teams, challenge common assumptions about age, and share practical ways leaders can create more inclusive, collaborative workplaces.
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