Emma Nicholas is a People & Capability Business Partner at Serco Defence, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping inclusive and high-performing workplaces across Australia’s defence sector.
A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Emma leads initiatives that support the successful integration and ongoing support of veterans, reservists and Defence family members within Serco’s workforce. She partners with leaders across Serco’s contracts to ensure veterans not only transition smoothly into civilian roles but thrive in careers that value their service, leadership, and operational expertise.
Her work includes building veteran-friendly policies and championing psychological safety and wellbeing in high-performance environments. Emma collaborates closely with senior leaders and HR teams to align people strategies with Serco’s business objectives, ensuring inclusive practices are embedded across all levels of the organisation. Her focus on veteran engagement, Indigenous participation, gender equity, and cultural safety has helped Serco Defence foster a more reflective, diverse, and capable workforce.
Since 2022, Emma has been the driving force behind Serco’s commitment to veterans, Reservists and Defence spouse employment, consistently championing initiatives that recognise, support, and empower ex-service personnel within the organisation.
Emma was instrumental in developing, launching and maintaining SercoVets, an employee support group providing community, advocacy, and visibility for veterans, reservists and Defence spouses across Serco. Her leadership has ensured that SercoVets voices are heard and supported at every level.
She has led the development and implementation of veteran-supportive policies, including flexible working options and also created a centralised Veteran Information Portal – an accessible, all-in-one resource that equips veterans with the tools and guidance they need to thrive from day one.
Understanding the critical role recruitment plays in veteran employment, Emma developed a bespoke Learning Module for Serco’s internal recruitment team to educate them on the unique characteristics of Veteran employment prospects seeking work with Serco. The training is delivered annually and a mandatory part of a recruiters onboarding. This training ensures recruiters understand how to remove any bias, and understand the enhanced value veterans could bring, how to translate Defence experience into private sector roles, and why veteran, reservist and Defence spouse inclusion is a strategic advantage to Serco.
Her work has transformed Serco’s approach to veteran employment, embedding lasting cultural change and directly improving the experience for hundreds of veteran candidates and employees. Emma is relentless in the continuous development of Serco’s Veteran strategies and works tirelessly to develop and evolve people-solutions that support Veterans and their families in working at Serco.
Emma Nicholas is more than a leader—she is a passionate advocate, educator, and changemaker. Her vision and dedication make her a true Champion of Veteran Employment.