Explore the unique journey and insights of Tara Forde, Head of HR Business Partnering and DEI at Experian UK&I, as she reflects on racial and ethnic inclusion, socioeconomic diversity, and her career path in this enlightening interview.
Tara Forde: My Journey
Something that’s not always known by glancing at me is that I’m Mixed Black Caribbean and White English, with my Black Caribbean heritage being on my dad’s side. He’s from Barbados which obviously makes me a descendent of the slave trade which has also had a profound effect on me when you consider the generational impact on Caribbean culture. It’s not always evident that I’m mixed heritage because I’m white-passing. I am sometimes considered Mediterranean, but I always feel some challenge in that my heritage isn’t reflected.
I’ve had a ‘white’ experience due to my features, but my siblings have darker skin and Afro hair – I’ve definitely had different lens in the world and different personal experiences than them. Seeing how my siblings, my dad, and my Caribbean family members experience the world versus how I experience the world has always been eye-opening. I recognise I’ve had an ‘easier’ time, having invites extended to into different parts of society and different things that my siblings who are different to me don’t have. I also do sometimes feel that sense of not belonging within my communities as well. It’s certainly a unique experience. But ultimately it is why I am so passionate about DEI.
I champion ERG’s like the Black Professionals network as I see exactly what the issue is for people of colour navigating the corporate world. When you add in that layer of my socioeconomic background and upbringing, my desire for DEI on all scales and levels becomes clear. I grew up in a council house and my family struggled financially. I didn’t really think about ‘breaking into the corporate world’. In fact, I had no idea that university even existed until I was around 14! When I was doing my GCSEs, it became clear that I was going to get good results, and that I was going to sit my A-Levels. After that, I could go to university, and so on. I went to one of the worst performing sixth forms in the country at the time. By doing well at school, a totally new pathway opened for me.
I went on to study English at university in Leicester, and after graduating and teaching for a while, I ended up at Coca-Cola. I was in an environment with schemes aimed at people like me: ethnic minority heritage from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Joining the corporate world and kicking off my HR career was a complete game changer for me as I was leading teams at only 24 years old and fast tracked into leadership roles thereafter very quickly.
My experience being dual heritage really shaped my career journey because it gave me the ability to accept and appreciate cultural difference. I’ve worked globally, working with teams located in India, Europe and North America. In my work at Experian as Head of HR Business Partnering and DEI, I believe I have a senior platform and need to use this for advocacy. Over time, I have become more confident in my assertion on these topics, but I recognise I am able to do this in part due to some of my privileges. I try to shine a light on the differing experiences Black-presenting and Black heritage people face compared to white experiences. Whilst I am a part of the community, I am also an ally. I am most proud of moments when I can influence decisions call out any perspectives that I know are harmful.
For any young women navigating their career’s, my words of advice will be…
- Find a way to narrate yourself and ensure you are showcasing your abilities. Don’t fixate on what you are not so good at – that’s not important and that can cloud what you’re great at. Leaning on good managers within your field of work and finding people to advocate for you works wonders for your self-belief.
- Lean into opportunities! Have that mindset that something might always lead to something else, whether it’s a conversation with a senior leader at work that leads to a project, or a conversation at an event that leads to an opportunity. At the end of the day, if we want to see change, we need to make it happen in some way. I really champion DEI initiatives because that’s one way we can see it happen. Having allies to help make the change matters.
Tara has shared some insights on diversity and socioeconomic inclusion in the workplace and why it matters. You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/zotrCnXctC8?feature=shared
This interview was conducted by Michelle Aboagye and Priya Kondola.
