Women Diversity and Channel Awards: Interview with HP

Inclusion is embedded in our channel strategy because our partners and customers expect us to reflect the communities we serve.

Why is it important for HP to support diversity initiatives and the wider UK channel community?

At HP, we believe inclusion is a catalyst for innovation and long-term business success. Supporting diversity initiatives, both internally and across the UK channel, helps us build environments where varied perspectives fuel creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration.

One example of this commitment is our Inclusion Festival, a multi-site event held across 11 locations in Northwest Europe, including five cities in the UK & Ireland. The festival brought together employees to share experiences, celebrate differences, and build allyship, demonstrating how inclusion can be both meaningful and impactful.

Beyond this, our Business Resource Groups (BRGs) — such as Pride, Next Gen, Women’s and Multicultural — regularly lead initiatives that amplify underrepresented voices, foster career development, and build bridges across teams. For instance, our Women’s BRG has partnered with external organisations to promote STEM careers for girls, while our Next Gen BRG has hosted reverse mentoring sessions that connect early-career talent with senior leaders.

These efforts not only strengthen HP’s culture but also contribute to a more resilient and inclusive channel ecosystem.

What role do diversity, equity and inclusion play in shaping HP’s channel strategy and partnerships?

Inclusion is embedded in our channel strategy because our partners and customers expect us to reflect the communities we serve. A diverse partner ecosystem brings richer ideas to market, supports equitable access to technology, and builds deeper customer relationships.

The Inclusion Festival helped spotlight this by placing BRGs at the centre, showing that diverse voices are not a side initiative, but integral to how we collaborate and grow. Similarly, our Women in Tech roundtables and supplier engagement series led by the Multicultural BRG have helped elevate diverse-owned businesses and inclusive procurement practices.

These programmes demonstrate that inclusion is central to how we deliver value and build long-term partnerships.

How is HP working with partners to help customers navigate the biggest tech challenges today — from AI to sustainability?

HP is working closely with partners to help customers address today’s most pressing tech challenges, including AI adoption and sustainability. We believe inclusive innovation, where diverse perspectives shape technology, is key to solving these responsibly.

For example, HP’s recent AI PC campaign in the UK explored how AI can help workers reclaim time from repetitive tasks and focus on what matters most. The campaign was backed by research from HP’s Work Relationship Index, which found that nearly two-thirds of UK workers believe AI will make their jobs easier. This insight is guiding how we design and deploy AI-powered solutions in collaboration with our partners.

On the sustainability front, HP continues to invest in circular economy models and digital equity programmes, ensuring that innovation benefits everyone. Together with our partners, we’re aligning around responsible innovation that delivers meaningful outcomes for customers and communities.

What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders coming into the channel?

The best advice we could give is being bold and proactive in championing inclusion. Leadership is not just about the business results, it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels they belong and can be inspired and empowered to be at their best.

At HP, our Next Gen BRG plays a critical role in amplifying early-career voices, creating a platform for younger colleagues to share their perspectives, challenge traditional thinking, and develop as future leaders. They organise networking opportunities, reverse mentoring, and learning sessions that help us stay in touch with the priorities of emerging talent.

For the next generation of channel leaders, embracing diversity, listening actively, and leading with empathy will be just as important as business acumen. Building diverse teams, seeking out different perspectives, and never underestimating the value of authenticity are the key to achieving great business results while maintaining a healthy and inclusive workspace.

What excites you most about the future of the channel, and how do you see HP contributing to it?

What excites us most is the opportunity to build a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable channel ecosystem. The future will be shaped by how well we harness diverse perspectives to drive technological progress and respond to numerous global challenges.

At HP, we’re proud to contribute by embedding Inclusion into everything we do, from the big events that unite hundreds of employees across our market, to the daily work of our BRGs n championing inclusion at every level. Combined with our investments in AI, sustainability, and partner enablement, we see a future where the channel not only drives business growth, but also has a positive, lasting impact on society.