My husband, Robin Schneider, who has died aged 64 after suffering from bowel cancer, was a global expert on diversity and inclusion.
Brought up in a close-knit and multicultural family of Swiss origin, Robin possessed an innate understanding of the transformative power of diversity. Through the consultancy we ran together for more than 30 years, Schneider-Ross, Robin influenced corporate mindsets worldwide, showing that diverse teams foster greater innovation and better problem-solving, leading to increased profitability and sustainable growth.
He worked internationally with many leading corporations, such as Aviva, Barclays, BP and Shell, as well as Vodafone, where he ran diversity leadership workshops across the globe, and in the UK he contributed to more than 20 government commissions.
Some of his landscape-changing work for the UK government included working with the Patten commission in 1998 to help redesign the Police Service of Northern Ireland as part of the Good Friday agreement. He also worked on the development of the public sector equality duties that helped pave the way for the Equality Act 2010.
Born in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, to Monique (nee Luthert) and John Schneider, managing director in the UK for Lurgi Engineering, Robin was educated at Merchant Taylors’ school, Northwood, Hertfordshire, and studied modern history at St John’s College, Oxford.
His first job came in recruitment with Esso UK at Fawley Refinery in 1981. He then worked in industrial relations with the company, and by 1988 rose to head of staff relations in London.
We met in 1985 at Fawley, where I also worked in industrial relations, and married two years later. In 1989 Robin and I left Esso to found Schneider-Ross. Together we wrote From Equality to Diversity: A Business Case for Equal Opportunities (1992).
Robin retired from the consultancy in 2022. His commitment to making the most of society’s rich diversity has undoubtably contributed towards a more equitable and inclusive world.
Outside work, Robin had a great zest for life and was known for his resounding laugh. He was a fearless skier, whether on black runs in the mountains or less conventionally attempting to ski in the Wiltshire downs. He was never happier than sharing good times – often over food and drink – with family and friends. He loved the community and the landscape around our home in the Pewsey Vale, Wiltshire.
I survive him, as do our children, Tom and Sophie, his brother Peter and mother, Monique.
