Choosing to Challenge - Stories from the front line

Join the HR team as we welcome three inspirational women leaders and University alumnae to talk about their careers. Our speakers Asha Devi, Cath Hannon and Alethea Fuller have all developed successful careers in areas where women are under-represented. In this event introduced by HR Director Gillian McGrattan, our speakers will share stories of how they have "Chosen to challenge" and reflect on women's equality in the workplace.

Asha Devi is a structural engineer who has been responsible for the development of some of the iconic buildings and landmarks in Birmingham and around the globe. The projects she has been involved with include Brindleyplace, HSBC tower at Canary Wharf, World Trade Centre, NY and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Alethea Fuller is the Deputy Chief Executive for the Police and Crime Commissioner in the West Midlands, and one of the most senior black women in policing.

Her background and extensive experience lies in local government, police governance and accountability, strategic policy development, commissioning and their legislative frameworks. Her current role includes assisting the PCC in holding the Chief Constable to account, fostering collaboration and partnership activity with statutory and voluntary bodies across the West Midlands – both regionally and nationally, and leading and managing an effective and efficient office.

She has particular skills in strategic commissioning, consultation and engagement, restorative justice, victim services and public policy. She is a strong community and public services professional who graduated from University of Birmingham with a Master’s in Public Management and Leadership. Her passion lies in community and voluntary sector involvement and co-production in the work that we do; work that impacts hugely on the communities that we serve and she works to bring ideas, people and inspiration to life.

She has 2 daughters of whom she is immensely proud, one a trainee manager for a financial institution, and the other a trainee solicitor; a single mother who has brought her girls up to feel able to take on the world!

In her personal life she is a Director for the Coventry Caribbean Association Limited and a Member of the Finham Multi Academy Trust, having been a school governor for 15 years and a Chair of governors for 5 years. She enjoys reading and going to the gym and is looking forward to the reopening date 

Dr Cath Hannon was born, lived and educated in Handsworth, Birmingham. Starting on the beat in Handsworth she spent over 32 years policing the West Midlands, leading national and international multi agency teams before retiring as a Detective Superintendent in 2010. She works with Alethea Fuller and is the Victim Champion and Strategic Board Member for the PCC.