Kate Headley

Positive, disruptive and unafraid to ask the difficult questions, Kate has created impact and change through her ability to reach senior decision makers and influencers in government and businesses.

A qualified HR leader whose career began at Marks and Spencer, followed by senior roles at Manchester City Council and Capita; Kate is driven by her belief in the importance of breaking down barriers to employment and allowing unseen talent to shine.

Kate co-founded the Clear Company in 2003 and has successfully grown the business to one with a global reach, clients include Lloyd’s of London, Skanska, Ofcom, The Civil Service, the Co-op and DWF. With her practical, empathetic and pragmatic approach, these organisations are leaders in their sectors around inclusive hiring and talent management.

Leading and influencing beyond her own business, Kate founded and continues to chair the UK’s ‘Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative’ (RIDI) in 2011. A successful not for profit movement to increase disability confidence in the UK recruitment industry, RIDI has changed the lives of more than 500,000 people with disabilities since 2011.

Kate is a Government advisor on disability and diversity and serves on the external ‘Panel of Experts’ to the UK Cabinet Office. She is a founder partner of The Government’s Disability Confident Campaign, which celebrated 10,000 employers becoming disability confident in the 2 years since launching.

Kate has Lupus, an auto immune condition requiring regular medication and extra care. The condition has caused significant sight loss during the last 5 years.

“The impact of major sight loss no longer has to be career ending, our world of technology, innovation and inspirational talented people makes the impossible, possible. I continue to grow the business with amazing colleagues, changing attitudes and global business culture so that all difference is valued and celebrated”