Springer Nature champions inclusive leadership through Generation Valuable initiative designed to address the disability talent gap
Ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Springer Nature announces the name of the inaugural mentee/mentor partnership to take part in the new Generation Valuable initiative, which it was the first publisher to sign up to.
London | New York, 2 December 2022
The Generation Valuable mentoring programme, created by the Valuable 500, aims to develop the next generation of leaders with disabilities by matching a mentee with a member of its Executive team. The programme is specifically designed to address the gap in disability talent at all levels as well as the absence of disability leaders in the executive ranks.
Springer Nature is the first publisher to join the programme and today reveals that the inaugural mentor will be Carolyn Honour, Chief Commercial Officer and the mentee will be Jude Robinson, Global Head of Front End Development.
Jude was chosen following a global internal application process and selection panel. Since joining the company in 2004, Jude has played a key role in Springer Nature’s accessibility journey, including leading the team that produced the accessibility software Pa11y, establishing and heading up the Accessibility Enablement function and founding the Accessibility Steering Group.
The programme will begin in 2023 and Carolyn will meet with Jude throughout the year for a series of mentoring conversations and to share insights into senior leadership. As Generation Valuable mentee, Jude will have the chance to share his experience with members of the Executive team and co-create a ‘Blueprint for Action’ to inform our approach to improve disability inclusion at Springer Nature.
Commenting on the Jude’s appointment and the Generation Valuable programme, Carolyn Honour said:
“The Valuable 500 commitment aligns closely with our goals as a sustainable business and this new mentoring programme goes one step further, helping us build on the work we’ve done over recent years to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment at Springer Nature. Supporting our people and amplifying the voice of people with disabilities enables us to better serve all of our customers and wider communities, so there’s a direct link also to business performance. I look forward to getting started with Jude and working together closely to continue to improve our accessibility work.”
Jude Robinson said:
"As the Generation Valuable mentee, I’ll be helping to promote accessibility and inclusion as an opportunity for innovation. Embedding that mindset into our culture, and focussing on progress before perfection, is already resulting in really positive outcomes, and I’m looking forward to working with Carolyn to build on that."
ENDS
- For more information on the Valuable 500, and the Generation Valuable programme, visit their website.
- To find out more about Springer Nature’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, browse our dedicated DEI webpage.
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Maeve Dunne | Communications | Springer Nature
maeve.dunne@springernature.com
