Ola Kolade is Director, Employment and Skills at Business in the Community (BITC). With a background in business management and a passion for driving positive societal change, Ola has worked across financial services, project management, and employability programmes. Since joining BITC in 2020, he has focused on working with businesses to enhance education and employment opportunities, with a particular emphasis on social mobility and gender equality.
“Businesses must continue to commit to diversity and inclusion, even in uncertain geopolitical times.”
My journey into a purpose-driven career
I graduated from Brunel University in 2008 with a BSc (Hons) in Business Management and began my career in financial services and project management. However, I always felt a strong pull towards work that drives positive societal change. In 2012, I joined the National Citizens Service programme, helping young people develop employability and citizenship skills. My passion for the role of business in society led me to Business in the Community in 2020, where I now work with employers to improve education and employment outcomes across the UK.
Championing social mobility through business leadership
As Director, Employment and Skills at BITC, my role involves engaging with senior business leaders and government partners to drive action on social mobility. I collaborate with our network of employers to create inclusive employment opportunities and shape policies that support underrepresented groups. For me, collaboration is key — bringing together businesses and organisations with shared impact goals ensures that we drive meaningful change in education and employment.
Speaking out on gender equality for International Women’s Day 2025
To mark International Women’s Day 2025, BITC brought together over 60 employers to discuss the challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equity. Our panel explored the impact of artificial intelligence, the global EDI landscape and how to accelerate action on gender equality. As a father of both a daughter and a son, this issue is personal to me. More men need to engage in gender equality conversations, and I was proud to be part of the dialogue.
Key themes and insights from the panel
One of the most striking discussions focused on how businesses must sustain their commitment to diversity and inclusion, even amidst a challenging geopolitical landscape. Encouragingly, over 90% of attendees stated that their organisations remain committed to diversity in the UK.
While there has been progress in board-level gender diversity, women remain overrepresented in lower-income jobs — roles that are particularly vulnerable to AI and automation. A key takeaway for me was the responsibility I hold, both as a line manager and as a role model, in shaping workplace cultures that support women’s well-being and in guiding young men towards positive engagement in gender equity.
Taking meaningful action for workplace gender equity
Employers play a vital role in fostering workplace environments that support women. Line managers, in particular, need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to create inclusive cultures. BITC’s Opening Doors campaign helps employers remove barriers to women’s employment by improving work flexibility, promoting salary transparency and focusing on skills-based hiring. These changes make a real difference in enabling women to access and progress within the workplace.
The power of male allies in gender equity
Male allies have a crucial role to play in driving gender equality. This isn’t just a women’s issue — it’s a collective responsibility. The way we shape conversations at home, the policies we advocate for in society and the workplace cultures we build all contribute to the future of gender equity. I understand that some men may be hesitant to engage for fear of saying the wrong thing, but it’s vital that we foster an environment where diverse perspectives can be safely shared and learned from.
Join the conversation
I’d love to connect with the Womanthology community — whether it’s on LinkedIn or other social platforms, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to exchange ideas, share insights and build networks for positive change.
Looking ahead
Each year, BITC publishes the Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality list, and I’m looking forward to celebrating the 2025 edition in June. It’s a fantastic opportunity to highlight the progress being made by leading employers. On a personal note, I’m also celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary in September — my wife and I are planning a special holiday in November, just the two of us!
