Exclusive Video: DE&I with Schneider Electric, MiCiM and NTT
Data Centre Magazine launched its debut fully online LIVE event via virtual events platform Brella in May 2023.
With attendees beaming in across the world, Data Centre LIVE reached a global audience of industry leaders and sector enthusiasts.
The DE&I Forum: Schneider Electric, NTT Data Centres and MiCiM
Led by BizClik managing editor and host Neil Perry, Schneider Electric’s Marc Garner, Sophia Flucker of MiCiM Ltd and Marientina Laina of NTT kicked off Data Centre LIVE with an insightful panel of DE&I in the data centre industry.
With more than 30 years of experience combined, the trio discussed the topic from a data centre perspective as well as how their companies are addressing the talent shortage.
“Are we doing enough at the moment” was the key theme highlighted by the speakers, with Laina saying “no, we can always do better.”
“It’s important to know that women in tech make up approximately 25% of the workforce, which is quite telling,” Laina added. “When I made the decision to join the tech centre, friends and colleagues asked ‘are you really sure, because it’s a very male-donminated industry?’ For us, increasing these kinds of figures is a commitment and a meaningful priority for diversity, equity and inclusion. Since FY21, we have managed to increase women’s representation from 11 to 28% in executive leadership. We are committed to do better and do more.”
Garner is Schneider Electric’s European Senior Vice President, promoted to the role in January for his leadership and commitments to data centre sustainability. The firm has been recognised by the World Economic Forum for its dedication to promoting inclusion and care, evident through its efforts to advance pay equity across all offices.
Schneider Electric’s Global Pay Equity initiative began almost 10 years ago and is now running in more than 100 countries, reaching 99.6% of the company's workforce by the end of 2020.
Director of Sustainability NTT GDC, Laina is an experienced environmental professional and has extensive experience in consulting, policy analysis and research. Before joining NTT in October 2022, Laina held senior consultancy roles - some revolving specifically around sustainability - at the likes of Schneider Electric and Deloitte.
Flucker is a Chartered Engineer who has worked as an engineering consultant on a variety of projects in several countries. In her roles, she has worked in delivering data centre design, commissioning, training and risk and energy assessments. Through her work at Operational Intelligence, Flucker was one of 100 individuals recognised with a IM100 Award, given to those who champion DE&I among other accolades.
To watch any of our other speakers from Data Centre LIVE, click here.
To find out more about Data Centre LIVE, click here.
To find out more about upcoming data centre events, click here.
To take a look at our previous events, click here.
