Published on in Responsible Business

I’m proud to be part of an organisation with the right values. I’ve been at Fujitsu for many years, having started as a graduate, and the reason I’m so happy here is that it’s a place that champions and celebrates everyone from any background.

So it’s great to see Fujitsu’s spirit of inclusion being recognised by EMpower in their latest Role Models list. The lists showcase visible and inspiring Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) role models from across the UK, Ireland, Europe, United States and Canada.

I’m honoured to be included in the 100 Ethnic Minority Executives list this year, especially as I’m alongside my wonderful colleague Madhavi (Maddy) Reddy.

And I’m also thrilled to see that another member of our team, Dewole Aradeon, features in the EMpower 50 Top Ethic Minority Future Leaders list. A huge accolade that’s very well deserved!

Both Maddy and Dewole are excellent ambassadors for Fujitsu. They set an example which shows us that our backgrounds are not a barrier; they are part of what makes us so successful.

And this belief sits at the core of our business. We talk a lot about human-centric innovation, which means we want to make things better for people. But we can only achieve this if we represent a real mix of people – like our customers. Bringing together a diverse range of views is the best way to understand our customers, and it always produces the most innovative and unique results.

This is why we’re committed to the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) movement. Our recent work has included initiatives such as promoting role models through our BAME network and encouraging reverse mentoring schemes. We’re also rewriting job adverts in a more inclusive language to attract a wide pool of candidates, and we’ve created a Responsible Business Board which reviews our progress to ensure we don’t falter in our path towards our D&I goals.

This hugely important work is something we’re all involved in. Maddy is the Executive Sponsor for Schools Engagement and was previously Chair of the Cultural Diversity Network, alongside her work as an advocate for diversity in technology. Dewole coaches black entrepreneurs in the UK and the US, and acts as Non-Executive Director of OneWorld UK, which leverages IT to empower disenfranchised people worldwide.

And as for myself, I’m privileged to be the Executive Sponsor for our Cultural Diversity Network. This role enables me to utilise my passion for workplace inclusion and diversity to make a real difference to the company and the colleagues that mean so much to me.

All of us hold senior positions in the business, with prominent (and busy) day jobs alongside our D&I work. This shows that Fujitsu is a company that really does practice what it preaches. Everyone is able to thrive here, because diverse backgrounds are vital to making our business work – especially at the top!

I’m honoured to be among so many role models, because I know how important they are. I think BAME individuals who have achieved personal success should share their achievements in order to encourage the next generation of ethnic minority leaders. I hope it’s how we will inspire the diverse leaders of tomorrow.

It’s an incredible achievement for three members of the Fujitsu team to have made these lists. It reflects the fact that diversity and inclusion is a fundamental part of who we are. Across all levels of the organisation and in all business activity, Fujitsu aim to be a place that empowers everyone – and I couldn’t be more proud.

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Rupal Karia

Head of Public & Private Sectors at Fujitsu UK & Ireland
Rupal leads Fujitsu's business serving public and private sector organisations in the UK, encompassing Retail, Hospitality, Public Sector & Government, Manufacturing, Utilities, Telecoms and Services.

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