Global Majority Mentoring Programme: Randall Whittaker’s Keynote Speech

Good afternoon, everyone.

It is a privilege to be with you today. I am going to start with an assumption: You are here because you dream of something bigger for yourselves and for the higher education sector as a whole.

My own journey to leadership has been shaped by diverse and sometimes difficult experiences. Born in apartheid South Africa, I have had the privilege of working across continents, starting as a musician and later finding my calling as an academic leader in the arts. Along the way, and still,  I’ve faced moments of doubt, systemic challenges, and environments that were not always welcoming.

I know what it’s like to feel you must work twice as hard for the same recognition, and to encounter ceilings that feel immovable. Yet, those barriers have not defined my journey. Instead, they have motivated me to work toward systemic change both for myself and for others.

As a leader from the Global Majority, I have always believed that leadership is not about personal achievement alone, it’s about creating pathways for others to succeed. The work of advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) requires more than good intentions; it demands structural and cultural shifts that challenge the status quo and empower underrepresented voices.

Beyond organisational policies, I’ve also prioritised mentorship and sponsorship, understanding that representation at the leadership level is critical for breaking cycles of exclusion. Mentorship provides guidance, but sponsorship goes a step further, it’s about using one’s influence to advocate for and elevate others. Many of us from the Global Majority have reached positions of leadership not because systems worked for us but because someone took a chance on us.

Through these actions, I’ve learned an essential truth: change is possible, but it requires courage and persistence. It requires being willing to question entrenched practices and to be uncomfortable at times. But most importantly, it requires collective action. Leaders alone cannot fix systemic inequities it takes an empowered community of individuals working together to create the future we want to see.

This work is not without challenges. It can be exhausting, and progress can feel slow. But the reward of seeing new voices at the table, of seeing doors open for others, far outweighs the struggles. It reminds us why we do this work not just for ourselves, but for the next generation who will stand on our shoulders.

That’s why this programme is so important. Its aim of diversifying leadership across London’s higher education sector is critical—not just for representation but for the innovation and richness that comes when leadership reflects the diversity of society.

This programme offers more than knowledge—it provides opportunity: This is your time to focus on yourself, your growth, and your aspirations. Too often, we are constrained by the systems we work within. Here, you can explore issues openly, with others who truly understand your challenges. The people in this room are not just peers; they are allies. You have the power to inspire and support each other, and to collectively push for a more inclusive and equitable HE sector.

For too long, professionals from the Global Majority have been told implicitly or explicitly that we must wait for permission to lead or fit into predefined molds. That ends here. Leadership isn’t about conforming; it’s about transforming. Your authenticity, experiences, and perspectives are your greatest strengths.

So, I challenge you to:

• Step forward with confidence and courage.
• Challenge the norms and structures that do not serve us.
• Build bridges for those who will follow in your footsteps.