Sandra works together with business leaders and government policy makers to influence action on race in the UK. Prior to working at Business in the Community Sandra worked for DWP and the Cabinet Office. Between 2012 and 2016, Sandra chaired the DWP Ethnic Minority Employment Stakeholder Group, advising the Government on employment barriers facing individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds. The Race at Work survey that she launched in 2015 and 2018 with more than 24,000 responses provided the evidence to create the McGregor-Smith: Race in the workplace Review Scorecard and establish the Race at Work Charter which now has more than 700 employer signatories.
In 2012 Sandra received an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours for Services to Black and Minority Ethnic people and in 2019 Sandra was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours list for Services to Equality and Diversity. Sandra also sits on the Royal Society Diversity Committee, the ONS Centre for Equalities and Inclusion Strategic Advisory Board and the Cabinet Office Race Board.
She is a big advocate of mentorship, sponsorship and allyship.