Justin Placide’s political journey started in 2009  where he worked as a deputy parliamentary clerk, and then as a ministerial relationship manager, for the UK Trade and Investment department.

In 2016, he moved into the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy, where he stayed until 2023. During that time, he worked as an Energy Intensive Industries Stakeholder and Communications Manager; Economic Shocks, Business Intelligence, and Sponsorship Assistant Director; Assistant Director of Business, Investment, and Growth; Head of the Northern Power House Team; Team Lead Manager; Head of Home Retrofit Enablers; and Head of Net Zero Governance and Fiscal Events.

In 2023, he joined the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as Head of Net Zero Governance, Ministerial Briefing, and Fiscal Events.

JUSTIN PLACIDE CAREER

On top of his work as Head of Net Zero Governance, Justin Placide co-chairs The Civil Service Race Forum (CSRF), a cross-government umbrella network supporting over 75 race network leaders in the UK. His leadership here has been instrumental in advancing race equality within the wider civil service. Justin has expanded the scope of these networks, shifting the focus towards capability building, policy, and inclusive cultural change. His contributions to the forum have seen progress in equality, diversity, and inclusion, positively impacting over 1,300 FAME members.

In collaboration with senior leaders, HR teams, and the FAME network, Justin has played a pivotal role in introducing targets to address the underrepresentation of black senior civil servants, and contributed to the department’s first Race Action Plan.

Justin Placide has also fronted job application workshops, regularly attracting over 200 attendees, recruiting diverse panellists to improve representation in recruitment exercises. He inspires and empowers others to reach their full potential; is a coach, mentor, and sponsor; and is always willing to offer guidance and review job applications.

Outside of his Civil Service commitments, he is an active member and trainer for his department’s School Outreach Programme, where he encourages students from diverse backgrounds to consider a career in the Civil Service. It is this dedication that has earned him the BEIS Unsung Hero Award, the Ethnic Minorities In Leadership – Race Network of the Year Award 2024, and recognition as one of the UK’s Top 50 Leaders for Kindness and Leadership 2020.

As well as his work in diversity and equality regarding race, he is also a longstanding LGBTQ+ ally, and has led initiatives to highlight the barriers faced by LGBTQ+ ethnic minority civil servants, particularly at the intersection of sexual orientation and race. He also placed a key role in establishing the first Queer, Transgender, Intersex, People of Colour (QTIPOC) Working.

His expertise is highly sought after across government departments, where he has been actively assisting in developing diversity, inclusion, and equality schemes to foster sustainable cultural change.

JUSTIN PLACIDE CORPORATE WORK

Justin Placide is recognised as a persuasive and passionate public speaker and has delivered keynote addresses at diversity and inclusion events, including Ethnic Minorities Into Leadership, Whitehall Industry Group Diversity Conference, the Scottish Government Race Conference, and Civil Service Live.

His corporate influence extends beyond speaking engagements. In 2021, he co-hosted the Civil Service Awards alongside Clare Nasir, and has conducted high-profile interviews with the likes of Sir Patrick Vallance, Professor Chris Whitty, and Sir Jonathan Van-Tam. In 2021, Justin organised the Civil Service’s fourth Ethnic Minority Men’s Positive Role Model event in celebration of International Men’s Day. During the event, he premiered the ‘Tackling Barriers in the Progression for Ethnic Minority Male Civil Servants’ video.

To bridge the gap between aspiring civil servants and senior leadership, Justin co-founded the SCS Masterclass Series, a TED-style initiative providing insights from senior leaders across the service.

Recognising the importance of digital platforms, Justin Placide has adapted his public engagement efforts to ensure that his workshops and talks are accessible to civil servants across the UK, including those in other regions and overseas. His workshops have covered topics such as leadership, microaggressions, social mobility, intersectionality, faith and belief, sexual orientation, and job application support.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book Justin Placide for your next live event.

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