About our founder

With a dynamic and non-traditional career journey, Jacqui Lloyd is a passionate advocate for leadership development, inclusion, and lifelong learning. 

Her career began in  Early Years Childcare and Education, later expanding to working with children and young people with learning disabilities. She then transitioned into regulatory roles, serving as a DayCare Regulation Officer and later as an Ofsted Inspector. A return to academia in 2007, where she earned her MA, reignited her love for learning and set her on a new professional path. 

A pivotal moment came through a chance meeting which led her to a career in corporate talent development: Jacqui joined Microsoft, working in recruitment and HR, before moving to Citigroup in 2017 to lead their apprenticeship programmes.  

Throughout her tenure at Citi, Jacqui played a key role in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Learning & Development (L&D), and Talent Acquisition, developing  award-winning  talent programmes and championing inclusive workplace strategies. Objectives included improving business performance, strengthening workplace culture and attracting, developing and retaining the “brightest and the best” in highly competitive markets for talent, always with a focus on diverse talent, and those from under-represented communities.

As a qualified and accredited executive coach, Jacqui has empowered countless leaders to unlock their full potential. She is also a renowned DEI advocate and speaker, recognised for her groundbreaking work in LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion.  

In 2024, Jacqui founded The Empowerment Academy - a culmination of her lifelong passion for enabling individuals and organisations to grow, lead, and thrive.