Why inclusion is facing a reckoning and why hope is on the horizon

When conversations around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) turn sceptical, it’s easy to think progress is stalling. But what if this moment is less an ending, and more a chance to evolve?

At IHR Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conference 2025, we welcomed Rachel Billington, a seasoned leader with experience across policing and global infrastructure. She challenged the “DEI is dead” narrative, showing that while pressures are real, they’re not new, and history proves inclusion efforts can