Dr. Zoe Young 

Hi, I’m Zoe.  

My background is in academia as an organisational sociologist. After working in Big Four consulting, I founded Half the Sky to create a boutique consultancy where I could work closely with clients as an accountable partner on their people journey. To make change really happen, rather than just make noise about it. 

My expertise spans workplace culture, inclusion, people strategy and leadership, and I’ve spent over 25 years’ helping large organisations improve belonging, productivity, and performance. I’m on a mission to turn evidence-based methods into real-world, practical tools that transform behaviours across businesses.  

I focus on service-based sectors, particular teams that work with the public – whether that’s in the public sector or commercial businesses. These are fascinating environments with distinct challenges that are often overlooked. In 2026 I launched my In Tune™ team performance method designed specially for these kinds of workplaces.  

Most often, I’m called in when cultural transformation is critical. I’m best working closely with senior leaders at organisations that aren’t used to change – to design in transformation, or advise along the way. This includes major government departments, global law firms, regulatory bodies and front-line services. It’s work that needs to work, and investment that has to deliver. Recent clients include: HM Prison and Probation Service, Linklaters, Slaughter and May, Nando's, Royal College of Nursing, South Coast Nursing Homes, EY, KPMG.  

It sounds simple – helping people work well together – but as any leader of a large organisation knows, it’s anything but. People are complicated. And with many quick fixes and silver bullets out there, senior teams need a trusted advisor with stress-tested methods that work. 

I bring a fresh outside perspective and research eye, along with senior leadership presence. It means I can join the dots between the Board, department heads, managers, and practitioners at ground level.  

I’d love to hear about your current challenges, and how we can make your people your biggest advantage.

Contact me here for a confidential chat

Speaking

Zoe speaks at conferences and events, drawing on her academic research and many years in industry. Get in touch to discuss your needs and she can tailor a talk or session for your audience.

​​Contact me to discuss a keynote​

Expertise in detail

Subject areas:

  • Team dynamics and interpersonal conflict

  • Culture, conduct and inclusion strategies and interventions​

  • Leadership development

  • Management and team development

  • Organisational behaviour change​

  • Work design​

  • Flexible and hybrid working​

  • Bullying, harassment, discrimination

  • Sex/gender inclusion specialist

Industry Experience:

  • Government

  • Global professional services firms

  • Financial Services

  • Judiciary

  • Regulatory Bodies​

  • Professional Bodies

  • Trade Unions​

  • Services in Care, Justice, Defence, and Protective Services/Police

Corporate roles:

  • Founder and Director of Half the Sky

  • People and Change Consulting

  • Director of Equity Diversity and Inclusion

  • Academic Fellow at the Universities of Southampton and Sussex​  

Qualifications:

  • PHD Sociology​  

  • MBA (Distinction) ​  

  • MA (Econ) Social Research​  

  • PG (Cert) International Business​  

  • BSc (Hons) Psychology​  

Certifications / Accreditation​:

  • Organisational Cultural Inventory (OCI)

  • Leadership Styles (1) and (2)​

  • Team Styles

Books and publications

People Aren’t the Problem: Why the ticket to team harmony could be hiding in plain sight   

Beyond the Backlash: The Leader’s Guide to Integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, 2025  

Work After Lockdown: No Going Back. University of Southampton, 2022  

Women’s Work, Bristol University Press, 2018  

Selected speaker, panel and chair appearances: