Last month, No Diversity, No Deal (NDND) celebrated its 10th event in style. NDND has always been a movement grounded in a simple truth: diverse teams make better decisions, better deals, and a better ecosystem for founders and leaders. The conversations at this event reinforced that mission at every turn.
This event was proudly sponsored by Livingston James, Evelyn Partners, EY and Maven Capital Partners. For this milestone event, the MACHO framework provided a powerful structure to explore the behaviours and actions that bring NDND to life in practical, everyday ways.
NDND and MACHO are about shared responsibility – the small, deliberate “pebbles” that move mountains when carried together. Throughout the day, panellists took turns exploring topics using the MACHO Framework:
- Meaningful Mentors
- Amplify Awareness
- Capture Confidence
- Harmony with Home
- Orchestrate Opportunities
Livingston James Director, Sophie Randles and BGF Investor, Rory McPherson, explored a topic they both care deeply about: creating environments where the next generation can realise their potential, and how each of us chooses to “give back” is so important to help them to thrive.
Reflecting on the event, Sophie shared:
“For me, confidence is rarely innate; it’s shaped by the environments we build around people. Having the right coping mechanisms, and surrounding yourself with mentors and sponsors who stretch you, champion you and believe in you, is fundamental to unlocking that potential.”
Sophie also shared some key takeaways that were simple but powerful:
- Confidence is created by environment, not by personality
- Financial wellbeing and early education matter more than we acknowledge
- Sponsorship is transformative, someone backing you publicly can shift your entire trajectory
- Language shapes expectations, and expectations shape confidence
- Having good people around you to help advocate and develop you is crucial.
Sophie’s ask: Find your “positive peanuts” – the things that lift you up – hold them tight and share them generously.
Many thanks again to Rebecca Rennison, our keynote speaker and creator of Redefining MACHO, and to fellow NDND Founders: Jane Stewart, Sophie Randles and Alison Fitzsimons.
A massive thank you to our amazing panellists who also gave their time to share their insights: Marie Owen OBE, Richard Mathison, Richard Rainey, Paula Skinner, Anthony Quinn, Rory McPherson, Allan Cannon and Lorna Kelly; and to everyone who attended and contributed to such rich, honest conversation throughout the day.
We are proud that Livingston James is a founding partner of No Deal No Diversity alongside Evelyn Partners, and to collaborate with EY and Maven Capital Partners on such an important and energising event was a real privilege
If you would like to get involved in future NDND events, please contact Sophie Randles for more information: [email protected].
