Q&A: How ‘Unlocked’ Helped Zafirah See GSK as an Inclusive Employer
Name: Zafirah Nurmamodo
University: Aston University
Degree: International Business & Management
Career: Aspiring Human Development Leader & Environmental consultant
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zafirah-nurmamodo
How did you hear about the programme? A fellow Aston student posted it on the Women in Business Society group. I was intrigued and applied!
GSK and AE both have helped me boost my confidence and to believe in myself. I feel as though the sky really is the limit now. This experience has been invaluable.

Hi Zafirah! Thanks for taking the time to speak with us. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My brother and I were raised in Leicester, a town in the East Midlands of England. My family started from humble beginnings, both parents were immigrants, moving from India and Portugal. They worked incredibly hard doing night shifts at the local hospital. We all squeezed into a small flat until I was 7.
I never really thought about my future in any career sense. I’m told I was pretty insistent that I would be the first female astronaut on the moon though.
I loved to create solutions to problems. Helping others makes me happy. I didn’t know anyone from the corporate world who I could turn to for advice. Sadly, most of my family connections were in other fields. This put me at a disadvantage, as I think I would have really got a lot from some work experience to help me better navigate the world of work.
Since starting University, however, I’ve engaged with every opportunity possible. I’m on and International Management course and although I still don’t have a clear set career path yet, I’ve really enjoyed working with people to tackle the challenges they set us. I feel myself gravitating toward sustainability or business innovation?
How would you summaries the GSK Unlocked programme?
Inspiring. A wonderful opportunity to develop yourself both personally and professionally. I’ve learnt so much about myself and my capabilities as a result.
What were you hoping to get out of GSK Unlocked?
I was hoping to get a deeper insight into GSK. In my experience, you simply can’t get a full picture from an insight day. I was also intrigued by the personal development aspect of the programme. This development component was designed around GSK’s core values, which are accountability, teamwork and courage.
I thought I could develop myself in those attributes. I like to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone. I thought immersing myself into those qualities might be an interesting approach to my development.
Another aspect that appealed to me was having a mentor. Getting access to someone at GSK is a tremendous help. It allows you to investigate and understand their company and their culture, as well as having an experienced sounding board to help me figure out my career.
GSK and AE both have helped me boost my confidence and to believe in myself. I feel as though the sky really is the limit now.

How has the experience of ‘GSK Unlocked’ been, when compared to your expectations?
GSK Unlocked has exceeded my hopes for the programme. The teams at GSK and Arrival Education have been so accommodating. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I have definitely developed through this experience.
The programme offered teamwork exercises; engaging discussions with leaders and directors at GSK; including with Chris Macrae (HD of Talent Management) and Graham Rivers (VP Finance Controls). As well as having a GSK coach and mentor.
Through this programme, I’ve come to see how committed GSK are developing their inclusivity. They really focus on attracting diverse talent and creating great cultures. This forward-looking commitment sits alongside their core work of developing innovative strategies to optimize patient care.
We got access to a lot of their current strategies and practices, such as their joint venture with Pfizer. Although I knew the programme involved some personal development, I didn’t realise how beneficial the coaching sessions would be in particular.
Through that coaching experience, you were encouraged to reflect and set targets. You work with your coach on those targets and they would support you to achieve them. Offering insights and recommendations along the way. Additionally, my coach gave me links to various industry professionals. They have been so generous with me, helping me outside of the programme too.
What would you say to your peers about GSK, as a result of your participation? Would you recommend other socially and ethnically diverse talent apply to GSK?
GSK were definitely welcoming. From the first session in April onwards, you felt that they really invest in creating a great culture. As you looked around the offices, you can see people like you. There’s a real representation of diversity there. You also feel their commitment to innovation, which resonated with my career interests.
I would strongly encourage my peers to apply. GSK are committed to widening their staff base, so they can access people with a variety of experiences and diverse thoughts. GSK has a very open-minded and collaborative culture. Staff are definitely encouraged to be their authentic selves.

What’s been your favourite moment so far?
The mentor and coaching sessions were my favourite activity. It was really energising to have a connection with someone with experience. On a personal level, I was encouraged to be my authentic self. In those sessions, we investigated where my true passions might lie.
It felt so exciting, to have video calls from my university library staircase about re-prioritising my goals. Or to listening to recommended inspirational TED-Talks. All of that input finally led me to have the courage to start something of my own. My very own Podcast.
GSK and AE both have helped me boost my confidence and to believe in myself. I feel as though the sky really is the limit now. This experience has been invaluable. I have the additional confidence knowing I can still continue to keep in touch with my mentor and coach.
We focused on courage as a key GSK value, and through this programme, I believe my courage has improved tremendously, to the point where I’m constantly challenging myself and even encouraging others to challenge me too. This is something I wouldn’t have imagined I’d be able to do before this programme!

