Deirdre LaBassiere, LL.B (Hons), FTLS, is a distinguished leadership, governance and compliance expert with over 20 years’ experience across sectors including the NHS, housing, charity, not-for-profit and private industries. Her career is marked by strategic oversight and meticulous attention to compliance, as exemplified by her comprehensive governance review connected to the recent Post Office Scandal, which exposed critical failures and spurred essential reforms. In addition to her direct work in governance, Deirdre curates the prestigious Sir Adrian Cadbury Lecture on behalf of the Lunar Society - a role that underscores her thought leadership in the field. Her reputation as a sought-after public speaker further amplifies her impact, making her a regular contributor at high-profile conferences and seminars. Currently, she serves as interim Head of Governance and Company Secretary for Parasol Homes Limited, having previously held the position of interim Deputy Director of Corporate Governance at St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group. Her pioneering initiatives in the training and delivery of the new GDPR regulations in 2020 and 2021 set industry benchmarks for data protection practices, further solidifying her expertise. Throughout her illustrious career, Deirdre has been honoured with numerous awards recognising her exceptional contributions. In September 2012, she was acknowledged by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, as a Commonwealth Woman - an Agent of Change. She was also awarded the Civility Icon Award as Pioneer of the Year 2022 and recognised by iChange Nations as an inspirational role model for the rising generation, making a global difference. More recently, in March 2024, Business & Professional Women (Dominica) bestowed upon her the Outstanding Woman Award. She has also been shortlisted for the Women’s Awards 2024 and Role Model of the Year 2024 at the MBCC Awards. In December 2023, the New Street Consulting Group Interim Awards highly commended her performance in a transformation role at Magna Housing Limited, with judges impressed by the remarkable array of skills she demonstrated and the significant achievements realised in such a short period. Beyond her corporate roles, Deirdre has contributed to numerous boards over the past two decades, including those of the Black Solicitors Network, Future Melting Pot CIC and the Birmingham Leadership Foundation, and she now chairs the Legacy Centre of Excellence. Her commitment to social impact is further evidenced by her chairmanship of Women Acting In Today’s Society (WAITS) and her active involvement with the Birmingham Race Impact Group (BRIG), where she advocates for women’s empowerment and racial equality. As a former Chair of the Lunar Society, Deirdre played a pivotal role in transforming the organisation by spearheading initiatives that brought together leading experts from various sectors to address contemporary challenges. Her dynamic leadership not only enhanced the Society's influence on issues related to the Covid19 Pandemic and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives but also fostered a collaborative environment that nurtured emerging talent and strengthened the professional community. Additionally, her entrepreneurial spirit shines through in the development of her family’s estate in Dominica into a health and well-being resort, also providing affordable housing for employees - a project that honours her father’s legacy and embodies her dedication to social justice and community upliftment.