30 October 2025

We sat down with Kombo Magara, Jactin House member and Global Talent Business Partner at Thoughtworks, to explore what it takes to attract, retain, and develop diverse talent, and how both leaders and professionals can create more inclusive workplaces.

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As Black History Month 2025 comes to an end, the theme "Standing Firm in Power and Pride" serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, strength, and achievements of the Black community. It also invites reflection on how organisations can translate those same values into action to create workplaces where every individual, regardless of background, can thrive.

To explore what this mission looks like in action is Kombo, a commercially astute Global Talent Business Partner at Thoughtworks, a global technology consultancy specialising in software engineering and AI. With an MBA in Senior Leadership and a passion for mentoring and inclusion, Kombo’s career journey reflects both strategic acumen and a steadfast belief in the power of representation.

A Global Perspective on People, Growth, and Purpose

At Thoughtworks, Kombo partners with senior leaders across global marketing and go-to-market divisions to align people strategies with business goals. Her focus is to ensure that the right talent, leadership, and skills are in place to drive commercial success.

Outside her corporate role, Kombo also channels her expertise into social impact, serving as Chair on the Board of Trustees for Trafford Domestic Abuse Services.

Career Growth Isn’t Always Linear

Kombo studied Politics with International Relations at the University of Manchester, driven by a desire to make a difference. She began her career on the NHS graduate scheme, choosing the HR Management pathway to gain hands-on experience in shaping organisational decisions.

Seeking new challenges, she transitioned into tech at Fujitsu, moving through roles from HR Consultant to HR Projects Team Lead, where she managed organisational transformation projects and a team of eight. Her curiosity about the business side of tech led her to pursue an MBA, which prepared her for senior people roles at Wejo, SafetyCulture and, ultimately, her current role as Global Talent Business Partner at Thoughtworks.

“From a career development perspective, progression isn’t always linear - sometimes it comes in the form of sideways steps.”

Representation Matters at Every Level

When choosing where to work, Kombo was intentional.

“Before I chose Thoughtworks, I wanted somewhere where representation was there already. When I saw the board, it definitely attracted me.”

Diverse leadership signals that inclusion isn’t just a talking point, it’s embedded into a company’s values. For today’s candidates, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, that authenticity is essential.

Kombo Magara, Global Talent Business Partner at Thoughtworks

Advice for Emerging Professionals: Be Visible, Be Curious, Be Your Own Brand

Kombo’s advice to underrepresented professionals is simple but effective:

• Be visible. “Walk around your office, hold doors open, introduce yourself. Don’t limit your interactions to just your department - you never know who will be your advocate.”

• Be curious. “Be curious about people’s career journeys - most are happy to share. Find someone in the role you aspire to and ask how they got there.
• Be your own brand ambassador. “When you go for opportunities, show people why you deserve to be there - not as a Black person, but as an individual. Lead with your track record of impact”

Kombo encourages professionals to build relationships both inside and outside of work through networking.

“Attend events at work as well as outside it. Maybe you have an affinity with a charity or community group - those spaces can help you expand your network and open unexpected doors.”

She also highlights the importance of building resilience through community.

“Surround yourself with people who build your resilience. A strong support network is important, especially one with people you can have honest conversations with.”

In today’s era of hybrid and remote work, maintaining visibility and connection can be more challenging.

Some people have said they preferred working from home during Covid because it reduced the need to code switch, which is understandable. However, Kombo reflects that much of her career advocacy came from in person conversations in the office.

At Thoughtworks, initiatives like “coffee roulette”, which randomly pairs remote colleagues for virtual chats, help recreate those spontaneous moments that build trust, relationships, and visibility.

Advice for Leaders: Diversity Starts with Networks and Intentional Action

Kombo challenges leaders to look beyond recruitment metrics and examine their professional circles.

“I like the phrase ‘your network is your net worth’ - and if your LinkedIn connections all look the same, it becomes an echo chamber.”

Building a diverse workforce starts with building a diverse network. That means:

• Proactively connecting with talent from underrepresented backgrounds.
• Knowing who the diverse talent already inside your organisation is.
• Avoiding the trap of only hiring diversity at entry level.

Visibility and advocacy matter just as much as hiring. Kombo highlights that opportunities like promotions or key projects often come because someone said someone’s name in a room. Senior leaders shouldn’t leave it to diverse or junior colleagues to “make their own way into the room.”

“Representation matters, especially in leadership roles. There are many experienced professionals from underrepresented groups - don’t give too many people the burden of being the first.”

Ultimately, Kombo reminds leaders that talent doesn’t look one way.

“Sometimes it’s better to go for someone hungry who hasn’t had the opportunity in your industry yet - and develop them. That creates loyalty and long term success.”

Kombo taking part as a panelist during Colony's 2025 International Women’s Day event

How Thoughtworks Champions Inclusive Growth

At Thoughtworks, inclusion is more than policy - it’s practice. Kombo highlights several initiatives that put this into action:

• Thoughtworks University (TWU) is an immersive program that helps graduates and career changers transition into tech, opening doors for people from a variety of backgrounds.
• In addition, Thoughtworks supports Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) - employee-led communities that foster dialogue, mentorship, and a sense of belonging across race, gender, sexual orientation, and other shared interests.

Standing Firm in Power and Pride

As Kombo reflects on her career and the broader mission of inclusion, her message aligns perfectly with this year’s Black History Month theme.

“From the perspective of an underrepresented individual, I believe in standing firm in your power. Take time to understand what makes your heart sing - and pursue that.”

For leaders, that means creating systems where all employees can do the same.

For individuals, it means standing firm in your strengths and your value.