Nadia Bob-Thomas
Nadia Bob-Thomas (International Relations and Development Studies 2002) is Head of Inclusion and Wellbeing at London Fire Brigade.
Nadia's story
After graduating from Sussex in 2007, Nadia has forged a strong career in the public sector career, initially working for the civil service and then the blue light sector. She currently holds a senior Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) and wellbeing role for one of the country’s leading blue light services in which she has designed and implemented strategies that have guided them out of special measures to receiving a ‘good’ inspection rating within 18 months.
Nadia will be speaking at our Sussex Connect event – Thriving at Work: Balancing your career with your wellbeing, where she’ll be sharing practical strategies for building and maintaining resilience in times of change and tips for thriving in your career and wellbeing.
What led you to Sussex and the course you studied?
It was the first and only university I visited, and I instantly fell in love. Once I arrived, my world opened to new subjects, which ultimately led to me changing courses in the second year to study International Relations and Development.
Your areas of expertise include designing systems and interventions to address organisational cultural issues and build capability. Where do you start, and what is the most exciting aspect of this work?
In my work I follow two very simple principles:
- Keep things simple. We’ve all been in meetings full of unnecessary jargon and convoluted words where almost all attendees leave with varying understanding of the issues discussed. Keeping things simple not only means using plain English but also results in increased engagement and inclusion of others.
- Meet people where they are at. This means developing solutions that make sense in the reality that they will be operating in. Often, I see proposals for aspirational interventions that, although great in theory, in reality just set people up for an immediate failure.
The most exciting aspect of my work in DEI is leading with a cocreation approach that brings different groups of people together and empowers them to build solutions to their issues, thus giving them voice and agency in spaces where they believed they had none.
In times of change, how do you maintain your own levels of resilience and what advice would you share with friends or colleagues on managing change?
John F. Kennedy is quoted as saying, ‘there is nothing more certain and unchanging than uncertainty and change’ and with this in mind, I would encourage anybody who may have attached negative connotations to the process of change to explore the reasons behind them. While there are many physical activities a person could do to increase their resilience, I find that sometimes the root cause can be found in changing of mindsets.
As a Christian, I lean in heavily to my faith. Through reading the lessons of the Bible and the power of prayer, it has taught me how to maintain a level of peace and joy despite life’s challenges.
Identify the things that contribute to you feeling that your wellbeing needs are being met – whether they are physical, psychological or social – and actively engage with them in a meaningful way.” nadia bob-thomas
International Relations and Development Studies
What skills and networks did you develop at Sussex?
I want to take this opportunity to talk directly to those students who may be struggling to build relationships, attend social events, keep up with the workload and look happy and ‘together’ all the time while doing so… and let you know that I went through all of this.
While I was at university everyone seemed to be having the time of their lives, while at points I felt I was fighting for mine. University was very alien to any environment I had previously been exposed to, and it tested and developed so many different aspects of who I was as a person which, in the moment, I didn’t have the maturity to fully grasp. Looking back, I can appreciate the life skills that were built.
I lived in Brighthelm and my flatmates and those that lived next door became firm friends. My best friend at Sussex (one of my neighbours), remains my closest friend to this day.
Do you have any green or red flags to share on what to look out for in prospective organisations regarding employee wellbeing and DEI?
It can be difficult to understand the culture of an organisation from the outside. However, a company with flexible working options, an Employee Assistance Programme and public DEI information, such as pay gap reporting, may be positive indicators, bearing in mind that sometimes these things aren’t reflected behaviours across the organisation.
Once inside, I recommend taking stock of the ethos of the organisation, its values and whether staff live up to them – and if not, do the HR policies protect you from and empower you to address any poor behaviours? My recommendation is to enter any work environment with a clear understanding of your red line, which from experience is likely to change at different stages of your career and life experience.
And sometimes, good old fashion conversations may be the best barometer. Seek the views of someone who is or has worked at a prospective company and ask them if they would recommend it to someone close to them. That usually elicits the most honest answers.
What top tips would you give to current students and recent graduates looking to balance their wellbeing with their career?
- Maintain clear boundaries and be brave enough to say ‘no’ to demands that cross these. This may be difficult at the start of your career but keep it in mind as you progress.
- Make sure you can identify the things that contribute to you feeling that your wellbeing needs are being met – whether they are physical, psychological or social (family, friends, finances) – and actively engage with them in a meaningful way.
The most exciting aspect of my DEI work is leading with a cocreation approach that brings different groups of people together and empowers them to build solutions to their issues.” nadia bob-thomas
International Relations and Development Studies
What can you tell us about how you maintain your own work-life balance?
As I’m a bit further in my career now, I have a stronger understanding of workplace politics which allows me to have strong boundaries and push back when they are crossed without concern of whether it will impact my likeability. Your wellbeing should always be your top priority, because it will be no one else’s.
And finally…
Your favourite place on campus?
I love the way the Library has such a presence as you approach the external steps and the vista once you climb them. Once inside, I would often lose myself to the nostalgia and history for hours!
What would be on the soundtrack to your time at Sussex?
N.E.R.D’s Run to the Sun. It evokes a sense of freedom and feelings of being infinitely happy, unrestricted and limitless.
Your standout Sussex memories?
I recall my days at Sussex with such vividness! From the first time stepping onto campus and seeing all the greenery, to the end of year parties on the Brighthelm slopes where my friends and I laid on one of the hills looking up at the blue skies, talking and laughing.
And receiving my degree certificate from the Chancellor Lord Richard Attenborough. I feel blessed to this day for being able to share that moment with such a great man.
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