Claire Thomas Chief

My Hitachi Journey 

I have recently returned from maternity leave and started a brand-new role as Hitachi Vantara’s first Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer (CDIO). This newly created role is focused on creating an inclusive work environment for all, celebrating unique and different perspectives and making sure our employees can be themselves so they can contribute fully in their roles.

I joined Hitachi ten years ago from Microsoft. I moved from software sales to professional services sales as I wanted to play a bigger role in delivering tangible outcomes for clients from technology initiatives and see the end-to-end process.

I spent 7 years in individual sales, working with clients across multiple industries including retail, consumer goods, chemicals, manufacturing utilities and energy. I loved the variety that my role provided, meeting new clients, developing new propositions, working with different virtual teams each week, and travelling to new countries. Over time, I moved into sales leadership, giving me the opportunity to develop different skills such as coaching and mentoring.

During my 10 years, I have always been involved in Corporate Social Responsibility activities, leading the EMEA team and being part of the UK&I Women of Hitachi committee. When the opportunity to apply for the CDIO role came up and dedicate 100% of my time to these efforts I was really excited to apply, but I was on my second maternity leave and unsure if I should. I received great support during the process and was ultimately chosen to take on the role, with Hitachi Vantara waiting for me to return to work to start the new role.

My Career Highlight

If I picked one career highlight, it would be breaking a Guinness World Record with our charity partner St Mungos. At a company conference, we crowd sourced ideas from all employees about how we could best support the homelessness charity raise awareness for a campaign that was going to 10 Downing Street and UK Parliament. One team came up with the idea of breaking the world record for the longest number of sleeping bags in a line and we did it! It was fantastic to see an idea from our employees made a reality and I was very proud to be involved.

What keeps me here

I stay at Hitachi Vantara for the same reasons I joined ten years ago – talented people; great team spirit; variety; a focus on doing good for society as well as our clients; and continued opportunities to grow and develop as an individual.