Siwan Smith

Award-winning Diversity & Inclusion specialist and Vice Chair: Board of Trustees, mentor and equalities champion

Associate Director for Diversity & Inclusion at Anchored In, an organisation dedicated to helping companies, academics, and entrepreneurs bringing their science and engineering ideas into commercial life, Siwan works to make innovation more inclusive, through strategy, design and programme development, and engaging workshops.

Within Merseyside Police, Siwan is lead on the development and implementation of the Force’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Strategy. Overseeing 2 teams and 7 staff networks, Siwan works across all areas of Merseyside Police to ensure diverse voices are included and heard.

In her previous role as Knowledge Transfer Manager for Diversity & Inclusion at KTN, Siwan worked to ensure diverse innovators have access to the support and funding opportunities they need throughout the UK’s innovation eco-system.

Siwan was programme manager for Innovate UK's Women in Innovation and Young Innovators programmes, supporting thousands of innovators through workshops, webinars and 1:1 support.

Passionate about gender equality, social mobility, and youth development, Siwan has designed and delivered workshops and events for over 6,000 business innovators.

A graduate from the University of Chester, Siwan has worked across several technology sector areas and has extensive expertise in marketing, PR and events management.

A trained presenter and facilitator, Siwan is passionate about enabling and empowering women and underrepresented groups into business innovation and employment.

Siwan is Vice Chair of the Board of Trustee’s for Blue Coat School in Liverpool, a trustee member for Like Minded Females Network, and a former steering committee member for Digital Boost, which help charities and small businesses get the essential digital skills they need, as well as previously volunteering for Manchester Pride.

Siwan didn’t have many role models in her younger years who excelled in corporate roles. From the first generation in her family to go to university, and from a working class background, within a working class city, Siwan is now committed to using her voice to show others that you don't need to come from a privileged background for your voice to be a catalyst for change.

Never afraid of a challenge, Siwan has overcome many obstacles in her way, including sexual assault, mental health issues, and two brain tumours. However, she classes these setbacks as a driving force for her career and wants to use her experiences to inspire others and motivate them to keep pressing for change.

---

---