Research Advisory Board

Open for Business’ Research Advisory Board comprises a group of experts that includes researchers, economists, academics, and policy specialists. The board members are consulted on Open for Business’ methodologies and approaches to data use, and between them scrutinise our research reports as part of their production processes.

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Birgit Neu is an independent Senior Advisor focussing on the crossroads of inclusion, AI and the future of work. She supports organisations with strategy design and implementation, change management, research and communications practices. Previously Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at HSBC, Birgit has had a broad career spanning digital, retail, publishing and financial services. She is a Visiting Lecturer on inclusive AI for Warwick Business School. She is also an advisor to Nexus LGBTQ+, the UK network for LGBTQ+ ERG leaders, and co-founder of KNIT, the UK network for DEI professionals.

Birgit Neu

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Theoretical neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author who is frequently featured in The Financial Times, The Atlantic, Quartz and The New York Times; Speaks regularly on AI-driven research into inclusion and gender in business; Former visiting scholar at UC Berkeley's Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience.

Dr. Vivienne Ming

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Teaches diversity and inclusiveness. His research concerns international human rights law in general and the rights of LGBT+ people in particular. He is now working on a project on human rights in Africa.

Matteo Winkler

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Worked as International Consultant from Sitges, Spain, mainly on organisational and strategic reviews for LGBTIQ organisations and networks, as well as key population networks working on HIV issues.

Paul Jansen

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Research Fellow at Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford; Economist with international experience in the finance and technology sectors; Researches global labour market trends.
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Pawel Adrjan

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Economist and author. Presenting macroeconomic and political economic views, with a focus on the economic costs of prejudice and the role of business and investors in promoting diversity and inclusion.
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Paul Donovan

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Former Global Program Director for Open For Business and researcher on the connection between LGBT+ inclusion, economic growth, and business performance.
Works with businesses, academics, and activists on exploring novel ways to improve businesses' impacts on the environment and human rights.

Drew Keller

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Egerton Neto is a technology policy strategist specializing in the intersection of technology and diversity. He is a founding member of the International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE), an institution established during his tenure as the Manager of the Programme on Democracy and Technology at the University of Oxford. Since he came out as a gay man in one of Brazil's largest newspapers, he emerged as a prominent advocate in the field of Diversity and Inclusion, having worked in various capacities within Brazil's government, NGOs, and academia. He earned a Master of Public Policy from LSE and is an Aspen Institute New Voices Fellow and a Connected by Data Fellow. His work has been featured at The New York Times, Project Syndicate, El País and The Washington Blade.

Egerton Neto

Chief Executive at Ditch the Label. Formerly at Open for Business, Just Like Us, Mind and Stonewall. Judge for the World Economic Forum’s Lighthouse programme and Commissioner for the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. FRSA.