BIMA Breakfast | Discover the Untapped Talent of Refugees

In a time of tech worker shortages, have you considered the potential within the skilled refugee community? If not, now is the time to explore how this can benefit your company while providing meaningful employment for refugees promoting inclusivity and making a social impact.

Join us for an inspiring and informative breakfast event organised by the BIMA Bridge Steering Group and BIMA DEI Council. This event aims to empower employers, prospective talents from refugee communities, and those in digital, design and tech agencies to understand and tap into the immense value and skills available within the refugee community.

📣 Why Attend:

• Learn from Success Stories: Be inspired by the journeys of individuals who have transitioned from seeking refuge to thriving in fulfilling careers in the UK. Learn from charities dedicated to helping refugees find employment and hear from an organisation that has successfully recruited refugees.
• Network: Connect with industry leaders, forward-thinking employers, and the vibrant community driving BIMA Bridge’s mission forward.
• Get Involved: Discover opportunities to contribute, whether by posting your first job as an employer or amplifying the initiative’s impact as a supporter.
• Discover BIMA Bridge: Learn about the mission of the BIMA Bridge Steering Group and BIMA DEI Council and how it is transforming employment and diversity in the digital sector. The BIMA Bridge Council have also recently launched a new platform dedicated to empowering asylum seekers and refugees with digital skills to find meaningful employment in the UK. Their jobs board is now live and ready for vacancy submissions. The jobs board is an exciting opportunity to discover a diverse pool of talent, each with a unique story and perspective, ready to contribute to your team. By engaging with the BIMA Bridge Council, you’re filling your talent needs and significantly impacting the lives of individuals eager to rebuild their careers in a new home.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join a community that prioritises diversity and inclusion.

Register now to attend and be inspired. Share this event with your network to amplify its impact.

Speakers:

Chandeep Khosa, DE&I Council Member at BIMA

With over 20 years of experience in the digital industry, Chandeep brings a unique perspective to the conversation about refugee talent in tech. As the founder and owner of 2Toucans Digital Agency, he’s not just talking about change – he’s actively creating it.

Chandeep’s approach to supporting refugees isn’t just business – it’s personal. Coming from a family with a migration background, he intimately understands the challenges of building a new life in a different country. His grandparents’ journey and determination to succeed despite numerous obstacles have shaped his commitment to opening doors for others.

At 2Toucans Digital Agency, Chandeep has developed a groundbreaking internship programme specifically designed for individuals who have sought sanctuary in the UK. Recognising that the lack of local commercial experience often becomes an insurmountable barrier for talented professionals, he invests his time, expertise, and resources in providing that crucial first step into the British digital industry.

“In tech, we often talk about skills gaps and talent shortages,” Chandeep notes, “but sometimes the greatest opportunities lie in looking beyond traditional recruitment paths.” His agency’s initiative has already helped numerous skilled professionals launch their careers in the UK digital sector, proving that with the right support, refugee talent can thrive and contribute significantly to our industry.

Join us to hear Chandeep share insights from his journey of building an inclusive digital agency and learn how your organisation can benefit from embracing refugee talent. His practical experience and personal understanding of the migration journey make him uniquely qualified to discuss both the challenges and immense opportunities in this space.

Svitlana Horodylova

Svitlana is passionate about helping Ukrainians step out of invisibility and contribute to the UK, which has warmly embraced them since the war began. With a background in journalism, she focused on social issues in Ukraine and played a key role in launching life-saving “baby hatches” in Odesa hospitals. Since arriving in the UK, she has retrained as a full-stack developer, completed multiple boot camps, and is currently interning as a web developer. Svitlana is committed to ensuring that the hard work and contributions of Ukrainians like her are recognized and appreciated.

Aziza Shirzad, Software Developer

Aziza’s journey began in Afghanistan and took her from seeking refuge in Pakistan to achieving success in the tech industry in London. Her family immigrated to Pakistan during her childhood, where she developed a passion for mathematics and computer science despite the challenges of displacement. This passion led her to a career in teaching, empowering young minds in public and private schools in Afghanistan.

Destiny later brought her to London, where she faced the challenges of adapting to a new culture and job market. Despite language barriers and cultural differences, Aziza’s resilience and determination saw her transition from teaching to the tech industry. With the support of mentors and colleagues, she thrived, learning the importance of resilience, empathy, and inclusivity.

Today, Aziza’s journey is a testament to the power of education and determination. She aims to inspire others to embrace diversity, pursue their passions, and navigate life’s complexities with courage. Through her story, she advocates for a more inclusive and vibrant tech community where every voice is heard and every individual is empowered to succeed.

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Join us for a morning of empowerment, insight, and collaboration as foster a more inclusive digital future.