Dr Heather Melville OBE CCMI
Heather is a Senior Managing Director at the executive search firm Ridgeway where she leads the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Practice.
With a career spanning over 40 years, Heather brings a wealth of experience across corporate and international banking, technology, and most recently in professional services, which positions her to advise leaders on both the challenges and opportunities in building commercially strong and inclusive businesses. She has a proven track record of helping companies to attract, develop and retain the very best talent whilst ensuring they create inclusive cultures that nurture innovation.
In 2017, Heather was awarded an OBE for her work, as well as an Honorary Doctorate from Portsmouth University, recognising her influence and impact on diversity in business. In 2021, Heather received the prestigious President’s Medal for Leadership from the British Academy of Management. She holds a number of trustee positions, is Chair of CMI Women and Patron of Women in Banking and Finance, and is also a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), a global network of C-Suite leaders.
In January 2023, Heather will officially take on the role of Chancellor of the University of York, helping them to drive inclusion across the university, to attract more diverse students and to collaborate with business leaders to build more inclusive businesses.
