Kirsti Godson

• Uncategorized
• South East England
• Business in the Community leadership

Kirsti Godson

Head of Social Impact

Thales UK
South East Leadership Board

Kirsti Godson is a dynamic leader with a deep commitment to social mobility and the transformative power of learning. She holds a degree in Biology and began her career in the food industry, where she worked in product development. Kirsti then transitioned into education, earning a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and teaching in the Further Education (FE) sector, where she discovered her passion for empowering individuals through learning.

Kirsti later shifted into commercial training, focusing on apprenticeships and workforce development, before ultimately taking on the role of CEO at a charity dedicated to helping disadvantaged young people secure high-value career opportunities. Her work in the charity sector underscored her dedication to opening doors for marginalised groups and creating pathways for social mobility.

After her successful tenure in the charity sector, Kirsti moved into the private sector, where she now serves as the Head of Social Impact at Thales UK. In this role, she continues to drive initiatives that support diversity, inclusion, and the advancement of underrepresented communities. Throughout her career, Kirsti has remained deeply passionate about unlocking opportunities for young people and making a lasting impact on society through education, empowerment, and leadership.

Kirsti is also the Chair of a Board of Trustees for a local Food Bank providing on-going support and advice.

Joining Business in the Community’s South East Leadership Board is a great way to further collaborate with like-minded individuals as ‘together we are greater than the sum of our individual parts’.

Julie Francis

• Uncategorized
• South East England
• Business in the Community leadership

Julie Francis

People and Customer Director

CMDP (Costain)
South East Leadership Board

Julie Francis is the People and Customer Director at CMDP – a joint venture between Costain and MWH Treatment working in partnership with its client Southern Water. In this role she drives CMDP’s commitment to its people, customer and social value orientated decision making. Julie provides thought leadership and influence strategic decisions ensuring they are underpinned by colleague voice within a commercial context. 

Julie has work with Costain for over 14 years as a people professional and inclusive leader with a strong social purpose and wants to make a difference to its customers and colleagues’ lives. Julie is passionate about using collective efforts to accelerate and facilitate greater impacts in the areas where it matters, acting as the company’s conscience, championing the importance of social value decision making and engagement.

With over 19 years of strategic and operational experience, Julie drives class-leading customer focus strategies that unite corporations and the community. As a member of the Business in the Community South East Leadership Board, Julie is keen to apply her knowledge in union with the rest of the board to help shape a legacy in the local community via strategic business decisions.  

Julie’s background is within the HR discipline and is MCIPD qualified.  She also certified in Customer Experience Professional Certification and holds a BA in Business Administration.

Jo Smallwood

• Uncategorized
• South East England
• Business in the Community leadership

Jo Smallwood

Head of ESG

Southern Water
South East Leadership Board

Jo Smallwood is Head of Environment Social Governance (ESG) at Southern Water. In this role she collaborates to embed environmental and social matters in business decision-making, governance, and reporting. This includes overseeing the community partnerships and programme team.

Jo has a strong belief in individuals and organisations taking a purpose-drive role to be resilient, satisfy personal and stakeholder needs, and tackle societal challenges with urgency and impact. She has 28 years of experience integrating sustainability and social value purpose within real estate, finance, and infrastructure organisations.

Jo appreciates the opportunity to learn and collaborate with like-minded individuals and organisations as a member of the Business in the Community South East Leadership Board.

Jo is a Chartered Environmentalist, alumni of the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership and holds an MSc in Environmental Policy.

Tracy Jones

• Uncategorized
• South East England
• Business in the Community leadership

Tracy Jones

Responsible Business Partner

Blaser Mills Law
South East Leadership Board

Tracy Jones is the Responsible Business Partner at Blaser Mills Law, a Commercial and Private services law firm with five offices in the South East.

Tracy has worked with stakeholders of Blaser Mills Law to create a Responsible Business Strategy and Purpose, and is now responsible for its execution.

With over 20 years’ experience as a lawyer, Tracy’s insight of law firm culture has led her to feel passionately that employers have a responsibility to foster an environment where colleagues feel valued, safe and supported.

Colleagues at Blaser Mills Law work together to foster an inclusive environment, with many employee led groups and initiatives established. Data collected confirms the positive impact of this work, with increased colleague engagement, increased feelings of being treated with “fairness and respect”, reduced absence and reduced attrition.

Alongside internal initiatives, the firm have established numerous community partnerships, with the goal of making long-term impact on some of the social issues present in the firm’s communities. Colleagues from Blaser Mills Law are at the heart of these relationships, co-creating and executing action plans.

Tracy is a huge advocate of Business in the Community (BITC) and encourages businesses to engage with the charity to learn the most up to date thinking around responsible business. She finds great value in being part of the South East Leadership Board, learning how different businesses deal with challenges. She believes that collaboration is the key to success and is always excited by the possibility of the collective influence of the Board to shape the future landscape.