Joy Burnford

Speaking topics include:

  • Why women don’t need ‘fixing’ – cultural change is needed to progress gender equality

  • How to retain women and close the gender pay gap

  • The importance of inclusive leaders with ‘D&I in their DNA’

  • The obstacles that women face even before reaching the office door

  • Navigating a route to gender equality – and how small shifts today can make big change happen.

Gender equality trailblazer, bestselling author of Don't Fix Women, host of The Equality Conversation podcast

Joy Burnford is the Founder and CEO of Encompass Equality (previously My Confidence Matters) and a recognised gender equality trailblazer.

With over 25 years' experience as a business leader, non-exec director, podcast host and speaker, Joy helps organisations accelerate their journey towards sustainable gender equality by providing them with strategic advisory services, research and a range of practical solutions that create equitable places to work.

As author of bestselling book ‘Don’t fix women: the practical path to gender equality at work’, host of The Equality Conversation’ podcast and contributor of over 70 articles on Forbes.com, Joy has interviewed hundreds of senior business leaders, board members, CEOs, authors and experts, and has been cited in national, business and HR press. She is an influential and experienced speaker, panellist and chair, inspiring audiences with her own personal stories and engaging style. She also sits on the UK’s Chartered Management Institute Women’s Advisory Committee and the Financial Times Women at the Top Advisory Board.

Joy is an active supporter of the Unleashed Women campaign led by the Hunger Project UK charity whose mission is to end hunger and poverty by pioneering women-centred strategies. She is also a Non-Executive Director and Vice President of the East of England Co-op, playing a key role in ensuring the long-term success of the business, shaping future direction and overseeing governance, policy and strategy decisions.

She is a busy wife and mum to two wonderfully different children and a puppy called Ziggy, and so understands the challenges that many women face on a daily basis!

  • "Joy delivered a great talk for Women in Banking and Finance. She is an engaging speaker and it was a fun, informative and lively session."

    Tara Zutshi, Women in Banking and Finance

  • "A highlight of our International Women's Day events was hosting the brilliant Joy Burnford."

    Natasha Whitehurst, Global Inclusion & Diversity Lead, Rolls Royce

  • "When Joy is on stage, she brings her expertise in gender equality, but also warmth, confidence and as her name suggests 'Joy'. A fantastic session."

    Neha Bhamre, Shawbrook Bank

  • "A relevant and engaging session on how we can all impact positive change."

    Dr Paola Gomez Pereira, Director, Haleon

  • "A brilliant interactive session which really did deliver and provide both an inspiring overview and practical tips to take back into the workplace."

    Fiona Murchie, Managing Editor, Relocate Global and Think Global People

  • "Joy supported our Empowering Girls event to help champion our vision to inspire girls to see the world as one of limitless possibilities. Joy is truly inspirational and it was clear to see that the attendees went away feeling enthused and energised."

    Nicola Griffiths, Principal of St Mary’s Colchester

  • “Joy made a fantastic contribution to our Women in Leadership Conference. She delivered a great session with some insightful and powerful takeaways and her messaging around progressing women into leadership roles really resonated with our audience.”

    Aleksandra Rogalska, Senior Conference Production Manager, IGPP Institute of Government & Public Policy

Watch Joy’s showreel

Watch this video to hear more about Joy, her passion for connection and collaboration and how we help organisations retain and progress female talent.

Membership and Speaker Collective

Learn more about Encompass Equality membership and our Speaker Collective to book Joy or one of our speakers for your client event, panel event or conference.