2023 Global Leaders in Consulting: Belinda Parmar OBE

Belinda Parmar OBE is a diversity campaigner and the CEO of The Empathy Business and a Non-Executive Director for the Service Justice Board. Belinda uses the science of empathy to change the way companies transform their organizations focusing on leadership, communications and operations. She is the creator of the Global Empathy Index which was published in the Harvard Business Review- the first index to measure empathy and inclusion at scale. Belinda was awarded an OBE in 2015 by the Queen for her services to women in technology. She also has a law degree and a languages degree and believes that the magic in companies happens when you combine rational and emotional thinking to drive change. Belinda works with large companies to implement hundreds of 'nudges' and interventions that organically build an empathy revolution and give people simple practical ways they can create more inclusive cultures. Her focus is on belonging and diversity and creating more courageous cultures.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

During the pandemic, I finished a law degree at University of Law to use my knowledge to regulate social media platforms. I did this while raising two teenagers single handedly and running my business. I have been campaigning against and raising awareness of tech addiction, holding tech companies to account. I shared my insights on BBC World Service and BBC Woman's Hour to help other parents to feel that they are not alone in having tech challenges. I have run local workshops in North London with mums who are also struggling to navigate healthy tech usage with their children.

What advice would you give a professional just beginning a career in consulting?

Ask forgiveness not permission. It's been my motto over the last 20 years and it has really helped me to align my values with my actions.

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

The ability to talk about profit and purpose with leaders in business. I believe that the corporate world not only needs more empathy but it can benefit from more empathy. I have shown with our Harvard Business Review Empathy Index that more empathy drives better revenues. Empathy is good business!

What's the best advice—personal or professional—you've ever received?

Align your work to your values. If you can create work or find a job that aligns with your identity and beliefs, it never feels like work! Being inauthentic to who you are is exhausting and not good for your mental health. Strive to find work that you believe in and work with people that believe in you!

What does being honored as a Global Leader mean to you?

It would mean the world to me as we are constantly trying to improve the corporate world, one nudge at a time and it would be amazing to be recognized for this. In times of crisis, we need the corporate world to understand empathy and this would be an amazing opportunity to help drive the corporate empathy agenda together.