* This event will run as a hybrid event meaning you can either attend in person or join us virtually on a link we will send you prior to the lecture. Please choose the ticket option to register based on how you wish to attend this lecture.

The University is delighted to have BAFTA award-winning broadcaster Carrie Grant MBE hosting an edition of our popular 'An Evening With' public lecture series.

Carrie will be delivering a lecture titled 'Finding Your Voice in a Loud World', which focuses on finding truly inclusive, collaborative approaches to work and life.

Finding Your Voice refers to the importance of feeling that you can advocate for yourself and find agency over your own life. It also refers to singing and the benefits that singing can bring to your physical and mental well-being, taking a deeper look at the fascinating science behind singing.

Carrie is also dedicated to giving a platform to voices of underrepresented communities, especially those with intersections such as being Afro-Caribbean and neurodivergent and/or LGBTQI+, those voices needing to be represented more widely in society. This lecture will also touch on the mental health implications of remaining unheard.

Biography

Carrie is a BAFTA Award winning broadcaster. In 2020 Carrie was awarded an MBE for her services to Music, Media and Charity. She is also a MOBO award winner and a BASCA recipient for her lifetime services to the music industry. In 2018 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts in recognition of her outstanding services to charity by the University of Bedfordshire's Faculty of Health and Social Sciences. Carrie is currently a reporter for BBC‘s flagship programme, “The One Show,” hosts a podcast for the elderly, “In Good Company” and co-hosts BBC Radio London’s Live Saturday Breakfast Show.

Carrie has been the President of the Unite Union for Community Practitioners and Health Visitors (CPHVA) as well as being the Patient Lead for the College of Medicine and an Ambassador for three charities: Crohns & Colitis UK (having had Crohn’s Disease herself for the over thirty years), The National Autistic Society and The Diana Award. She sits on the largest Transforming Care Partnership Panel in the UK. Carrie is a keen campaigner for change in Healthcare Systems and the celebration of Neuro-diversity in society. She is an anti-bullying Ambassador and promotes adoption. Carrie has chaired and given keynote addresses at many health and education conferences in the UK and worldwide including for NHS England, NHS Digital, NHS Mental Health Services, The Chief Nursing Officer’s Summit, The Rare Disease Awards and over 28 years many leading pharmaceutical companies.

She has participated in steering groups for white papers and has recently spearheaded gathering a group of experts in Autism in the UK to share best practice and promote change for females with Autism as well as supporting the launch of the world’s first All Party Parliamentary Group for ADHD. She runs a weekly support group for over 150 families.

Carrie is also a Leadership Coach and has worked with executives from companies and organisations around the world for over twenty years. Her work covers the basic areas of change management, team building, co-production and developing personal leadership brand. Companies she has worked with: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, The Home Office, BBC Worldwide, KMPG, Old Mutual, France Telecom, Coral, Lloyds TSB, Express Newspapers, BUPA, Skandia, Nike, Skanska, IMG, The Body Shop, Dixons, Shell, Ballet Rambert, Morrisons, B&Q, The NHS, Nationwide, The Audit Commission, Ernst & Young, Wagamama, The Post Office, Costa, British Gas, Wella, Wickes, Ebay and many others. Carrie has taught groups from 8 to 1,000 delegates.

As a vocal coach she has worked with Take That, Spice Girls, Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Lovato, S Club 7, Will Young and Lemar. As a singer she has worked with Diana Ross, Sting, Fat Boy Slim, Roberta Flack, Michael Jackson and Rod Stewart. She was a Judge on BBC1’s Fame Academy and coach on Pop Idol and is the co-author of the world’s top selling vocal coaching book and biggest selling online vocal coaching course.

Carrie is married to David Grant MBE and together they have four children special needs, one of whom was adopted. Carrie and David run a support group for over 150 families.