Equality Starts at Home
Claire Thomas is the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Hitachi Vantara, responsible for developing and implementing a strategy for diversity, equity and inclusion through programs that reflect the various backgrounds, passions and interests of the company’s current and future workforce.
Prior to taking on this newly created leadership role in 2022, Claire spent 10 years in technology sales at Hitachi, leading the EMEA Digital Solutions sales team focused on delivering innovative, data-driven solutions to meet client needs across several industries. Prior to that, she spent five years at Microsoft, which originally sparked her interest in how technology can benefit society. She is the recipient of multiple awards, including Role Model of the Year and Returner of the Year 2021 in the Women in Tech Excellence Awards.
Claire has a passion for diversity and inclusion, holding roles on the Women of Hitachi employee resource group and the Global Diversity Council, as well as leading corporate social responsibility efforts. She believes that a respectful environment allows people to feel accepted and authentic, freeing them to do their very best work and leading to exceptional client and partner outcomes. Claire is committed to improving diversity of all forms within the technology sector and champions both technical and non-technical career paths. As a recent returner to work after two maternity leaves, she is also deeply passionate about supporting working parents as they manage the parenting journey while building a fulfilling career.
Claire lives in London with her husband and two young sons, and her happiest times are around a table chatting with friends and family over a good meal, skiing or travelling to explore new cultures and practicing her Spanish.