Are the most important jobs those that shouldn't exist? With Naomi Sesay and Smruti Naik-Jones

Are the most important jobs those that shouldn't exist? With Naomi Sesay and Smruti Naik-Jones

Author: Deloitte UK October 1, 2024 Duration: 38:39
The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business
Business

Chief Happiness Officer. Head of Wellbeing. Chief Sustainability Officer. Diversity and inclusion leader.

A scroll on LinkedIn will point to many of these kinds of roles that exist within companies these days. But should they?

Being an inclusive business. Making sure operations are sustainable. And people are happy. 

These things have always been important in business. And our understanding of matters like diversity and sustainability has never been better. So, why is it still hard to see positive change in these areas?

Is it only by having dedicated roles that we can make progress happen? Does professionalising these areas unlock better investment rather than it being a side of desk project? And why is it then that we're still a long way from where we need to be?

In this episode, we're joined by Naomi Sesay, Head of Creative Equity at Channel 4, and Smruti Naik-Jones, Chief Sustainability Officer for Deloitte UK and North South Europe, as we ask: Are the most important jobs those that shouldn't exist?

How important are these roles in business and do they always have the desired effect? What would the world of work look like without them? How do these roles help us attract top talent and retain our people? And do they really help drive better business performance? 

What about their impact in helping us identify future policies? Do these roles encourage us to think and act differently when there's a strong leader paving the way? How do we make sure it's everyone's job vs working in silos? And will we ever get to a place where we don't need these roles?

Tune in to find out:

  • The reason your LinkedIn feed is full of creative job titles
  • The unexpected roles that are key to business performance 
  • Whether sustainability and diversity roles will ever stop existing 
  • How anyone can be part of driving meaningful change in their company

Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts

You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK

Guests: Naomi Sesay, Head of Creative Equity at Channel 4, and Smruti Naik-Jones, Chief Sustainability Officer for Deloitte UK and North South Europe

Hosts: Annie Wong and Stephanie Dobbs

Original music: Ali Barrett


In The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business, conversations move beyond surface-level trends to examine the underlying forces reshaping the commercial landscape. Hosted by Deloitte UK, this award-winning podcast creates a space where complex, pressing questions are met with clarity and depth. Every discussion is built around a single, significant inquiry, bringing in leading voices from across various sectors to unpack it. What you'll hear is not just commentary, but substantive strategic analysis and expert insights designed for leaders and professionals who need to understand the 'why' and the 'how'. The dialogue consistently returns to critical, interconnected areas like digital transformation, the practical implications of AI and technology, evolving leadership models, and the realities of the future of work. It also delves into core business strategy, the pathways to genuine innovation, and the urgent demands of sustainability and climate action. This podcast functions as a dedicated forum for thought leadership, where each episode provides a focused lens on the topics that define success and responsibility in modern business. The aim is to equip listeners with perspectives that are both broad and deeply relevant, turning abstract concepts into actionable understanding. It’s a resource for anyone looking to engage with the substantive ideas that are currently challenging and changing organizations worldwide.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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