Sophie Thornton is Head of HR at VINCI Energies UK & RoI, where she has led transformative people, culture and talent initiatives for over six years. With leadership roles spanning both VINCI Energies UK & RoI and its industrial brand, Actemium, Sophie has championed mental health programmes in partnership with Mind, developed robust talent and leadership pathways through the VINCI Energies Academy. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion - particularly the advancement of women in engineering and construction, Sophie decided to launch Elevate in 2024, a pioneering programme designed to nurture and grow female talent across the business. Her work exemplifies what it means to lead the change: building inclusive cultures, empowering future leaders, and driving meaningful progress in traditionally male-dominated industries.