Beth reports directly to EY’s Global Chairman and CEO, and is a member of EY’s Global Executive, its highest management body. Since coming out in an ‘It Gets Better’ video in 2011, Beth has leveraged her global platform to champion LGBT issues. For example, she chaired the executive panel to unify EY’s LGBT networks globally and establish a new network identity under the brand, ‘Unity.’  This year Beth also provided a keynote at the US National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce conference and Out on the Street event, appeared at Japan’s SuperStar awards to celebrate LGBT role models, and was featured in Lord Browne’s book, “The Glass Closet.” Additionally Forbes has named Beth among its “World's 100 Most Powerful Women” seven times.

Paul is the CEO of this division as well as the executive sponsor of BP’s Pride Affinity Network. He is fully open and has been quoted on LGBT matters in the Times, the FT and the Evening Standard, as well as various in-house articles. He is committed to challenging the stereotypes and prejudices associated with the oil and gas industry. Paul was formerly a member of the BP Group CEO’s diversity council, Chaired his own division’s Diversity Council and helped launched the LBGT Professional Oil Industry Network in Singapore.

Robert is currently Chairman of NBC Entertainment and the first openly gay broadcast network chief. Throughout his career he has had a profound influence on LGBT visibility in popular culture, including his time as an Executive Producer on HBO’s Six Feet Under. In 2011 he was awarded the Stephen F Kolzak award from GLAAD and continues to be a role model and spokesperson for LGBT issues in business and media.

Claudia is two levels down from the CEO of IBM (440,000 employees) and reports directly to the head of her Division. As the IBM Global Co-Chair for the LGBT Executive Taskforce she has Rolled out Straight Ally Training and Certification to 440,000 IBMers worldwide, rolled out benefit equality to LGBT IBMers worldwide where it is allowed by law, shared best practices around the world with other corporations and sponsored 41 diversity network groups in 30 countries. Claudia also serves on the Board of Directors or Advisory board of 6 different LGBT organisations, in four different countries.

Brian is the Chief Executive of Shaftesbury PLC – a FTSE 350 Real Estate Investment Trust. His civil partner is an integral part of his working life and community of people he deals with regularly, creating an environment of openness where everyone feels comfortable ‘being themselves’. Brian is also a board member of Freehold – LGBT group for real estate professionals. His role also includes charity fundraising at networking events e.g. for Albert Kennedy Trust, FFLAG,GMFA, Switchboard, Diversity Role Models and Stonewall. He is also a member of Property Week’s OpenPlan diversity panel and a Stonewall Ambassador.

As Group General Counsel & Company Secretary at BT Dan is accountable for the delivery of legal, governance and compliance services to BT whose operations span 170 countries. He is the most senior “out” executive in BT, and Chairs BT’s Global Inclusion Steering Group which is charged with leading BT’s D&I efforts at home and overseas.  Dan has spoken at BT’s own LGBT network, Kaleidoscope, and over the years has mentored its leadership. Dan has also been a regular contributor to LGBT charities and was a judge for the recent Apollo Project Awards, which aims to recognise practical initiatives that really advance D&I. Additionally, in 2013, Dan received the Out & Proud UK Corporate Counsel Award, which was sponsored by Lavender Law.

Trevor is the founding investor in and Chief Executive Officer of C1 Bank, one of the 20 largest banks headquartered in Florida and of the 1% fastest growing banks in the United States. In 2006 Trevor, then aged 34, became one of the first openly gay investment bankers at Morgan Stanley to be promoted to Managing Director. Trevor and C1 Bank have been leading supporters of Equality Florida, the state's preeminent LGBT rights organization. Additionally, for his work at C1 Bank, Trevor was awarded the 2013 Ernst & Young Florida Entrepreneur of the Year in the financial services category.  In 2014 Trevor became the first openly gay CEO of a publicly traded bank in the United States when he took his company public on the NYSE (C1 Financial, Inc. NYSE: BNK).

Sally is a Member of Executive Leadership Team, reporting to the CEO and overseeing a 250 member global Corporate Affairs team. She has served as a guest speaker at several multi-national corporations during Gay Pride month, is involved with Pfizer’s LGBT Open Network and encourages LGBT interaction with elected officials. Additionally, Sally is active in The Human Rights Campaign (previously a board member) and was the campaign Finance Chair for Christine Quinn, LGBT candidate for New York City mayor (2013) as well as being a supporter and magazine contributor of the Victory Fund.

Mary founded her business 17 years ago when she left Harvey Nichols and is the majority shareholder with the title of Chief Creative Officer. The Portas mantra is Freedom & Responsibility; Freedom to be who you are while being a responsible member of the business. Mary is openly lesbian and has been a devoted member of Stonewall for 6 years.  She was nominated as Entertainer of the Year at the Stonewall Awards in 2008 and 2009 and has raised a great deal of funds for the organisation. Sexuality and understanding are always part of any of the regular appearances she make on TV as well as the regular speeches she delivers as part of her business life.

Over a career spanning 30 years Charles has held director, managing director and CEO positions in a number of major organisations including being a FTSE 100 CEO for over 15 years. He now chairs a number of organisations including Global Radio, ISS, 2 Sisters Food Group, and Endemol as well as sitting in the House of Lords as a working labour peer. He has had board responsibility or played an active role in diversity in a number of organisations in addition to those he chairs, including Tesco, Goldman Sachs and LOCOG the London organising committee for the Olympics and Paralympics. He is open and honest about his sexuality.

As a Vice President of Marketing at Google, Arjan is part of Google’s executive ranks, managing a large international team based in 43 countries. He openly and actively supports Google’s “Gaygler” Employee Resource Group and was recently an executive sponsor of the “Proud to Love” and “Proud to Play” YouTube campaigns, which prominently featured a pro-LGBT message on a global scale. He also created a network within Google’s Business Organization to help LGBT employees with professional development, and he serves as a mentor to LGBT Googlers around the world. Arjan is currently an active sponsor of GLAAD, HRC, and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

His current responsibilities are to manage Citi’s global partnerships with global, national and local organisations, clients and governments, supporting community development through economic empowerment and financial inclusion, with a staff of roughly 100. He is Citi’s Senior Business Sponsor for both the London & New York LGBT employee networks (Citi Pride) and one of Citi’s most senior Out executives. He has spoken at numerous internal management events, the last being “Managing the LGBT Workforce in the Global Organisation: Diversity Policies vs. the Rule of Law”. Having served on the board of THT in the UK for some years, Bob and his partner are supporters of THT’s Friends for Life, Stonewall’s Ambassadors, and the Human Rights Campaign (US).

Faried has been at SABMiller for 14 years and has recently been appointed as the Global Business Services Deployment & Transitions Lead within SABMiller’s global transformation program. He has been out personally and professionally and believes that being authentic and bringing one’s whole self to work is key to building trusting relationships with his colleagues. He has always had a deep commitment to challenging stereotypes and prejudices with respect to all aspects of diversity and feels that being a role model and a mentor encourages people to discuss LGBT matters that were not previously discussed in the organisation.  Faried is in the process of working with his colleagues in setting up an internal SABMiller LGBT network to provide a platform for LGBT staff and straight allies to formally engage with the business and he has also attended the Diversity workshop organised by the Lord Mayor of London to develop a Diversity Manifesto for the City of London.

Neil is one of the most senior leaders in Diageo, managing a direct team of 20 people who in turn work directly with marketing and commercial staff in over 180 countries across the globe.  Back in 2003, he established the Rainbow Network, Diageo’s Diversity and Inclusion group for LGBT employees and straight friends and allies. Thanks to the Rainbow Network  Diageo have continuously achieved a perfect 100% score in HRC’s Corporate Equality Index since 2005.  In 2013 the network was recognised by Out & Equal for their efforts in championing workplace diversity.  Neil is now the European Executive Sponsor, having handed over the chairing of the US group in 2013.  He is also an active supporter and donor to many LGBT causes including national organisations such as HRC and GLAAD as well  as locally focused organizations such as the Hetrick-Martin Institute for LGBT youth.

Joseph reports directly to the Chairman and CEO, Heading all media relations and corporate communications worldwide for JPMorgan Chase. He plays a key role in the company’s Global Diversity Initiative and serves as a mentor to his LGBT colleagues and a “Senior Champion” of the company’s LGBT group, Pride. Additionally, in 2014 he was appointed as vice-chair of the Empire State Pride Agenda, the largest civil rights and advocacy group serving LGBT New Yorkers.

Robert is currently the CEO and minority equity owner of global handcrafted luxury jewellery brand John Hardy. He is publicly out in all business situations and leverages both the advice and counsel of his Boards and Colleagues on issues critical to the LGBT community. Robert believes that an executive’s purpose is to create economic opportunity by delivering results, but that there is a concurrent goal: to make whatever business he is helming a force for positive social change. He has worked hard to advocate for LGBT people in business, including: submitting an amicus brief arguing the business case for marriage equality in California; chairing LGBT associate advocacy groups; ensuring that workplace policies successfully address LGBT equality; and speaking at LGBT Business Conferences such as Out & Equal.

Jan is one of the 70 most senior directors in the Group and is responsible for the leadership, oversight and governance of brand and marketing strategy worldwide. She is the very visible sponsor of the LGBT employee network Aviva Pride. In March she led a workshop attended by c45 marketing professionals on why LGBT issues were important to their customers. Additionally, Jan was elected chair of trustees at Stonewall in May 2014, and was part of the Purple Reign photographic exhibition created by Thomas Knights to celebrate the success of LGBT professionals and straight allies. She also participated on a panel of a diversity workshop at The Law Society in May and chairing the closing panel at Stonewall Workplace Conference in Manchester in June.

Mary Jo is an executive in 3M Company, leading one of 30 divisions. She has participated in dialogue sessions with the CEO on LGBT workplace opportunities and has individual meetings with employees concerned about “coming out” in workplace. Mary Jo is also involved in leadership development programs where she presents or participates as an executive, often discussing her spouse if questions around work/life balance or personal impact of being an executive are raised as part of the conversation. She is a member of LGBT employee resource group and serves as a mentor for employees. She regularly donates to LGBT organisations.

Julie is the region vice president of North America Services Delivery for NCR Corporation, the global leader in consumer transaction technologies. She leads an organization of over 4,600 service professionals across the U.S. and Canada. In her current company (2 years) and her prior company (25 years), Julie was an out executive and participated fully in all diversity ERGs. Her wife attends internal and external business functions with her. Julie also serves on the board of directors of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates (5 years), has attended the Executive Forum for 6 years and attended 8 Out & Equal Summits.

Liz is the most senior female Partner in the UK&I firm of 702 Partners and the most senior LGBT Partner. She manages over 8,500 people within the firm ranging from interns to partners on a regional scale. Additionally as the Diversity and Inclusiveness Co-Sponsor, Liz has been instrumental in the business ranking number 5 in the 2014 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index. She also provides informal mentoring to junior members of staff, and has been selected as 1 of 16 Global Stonewall Role Models. She also utilises her personal time to support Diversity Role Models and Food Chain.

Josh is a Senior Director, responsible for leading the growth of LinkedIn’s Marketing Solutions business across the EMEA region. He leads a team of 150, helping marketers to identify, target, and engage with the world’s most influential professionals. In July 2014, Josh published a blog post, outlining the positive effects that his decision to come out had on his job satisfaction, workplace relationships, and career confidence. He is a prominent supporter of Out@In, LinkedIn’s corporate programme for LGBT employees, frequently attends work events with his partner, and acts a spokesperson for LinkedIn appearing at Industry event and in the press, all the while being authentic to his true self.

David is the Global Sector Head for Advanced Manufacturing and Technology at Pinsent Masons and a member of the senior leadership team, overseeing 500 employees in UK, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pac in his sector. He acts as a senior LGBT role model within his own business and externally and regularly speaks to colleagues, clients and other businesses about how to make the workplace more inclusive for LGBT staff. He is now working on how PM addresses LGBT issues across its international offices, including becoming a member of Stonewall’s new Global WEI initiative. David was the Chair of Stonewall from 2003-2012 and has recently joined the board of the Human Dignity Trust. He has also recently been appointed as a Director of the Big Lottery Fund where he will champion LGBT issues.

Paul is the Chief Risk & Compliance Officer at Bloomberg reporting jointly and directly to the Founder, CEO and Chairman and managing teams across the globe. He has been involved in the launch of ally networks at Aviva and Bloomberg, has been a mentor to LGBT staff and has spoken on numerous panels and conferences about being an out senior leader. Paul is also a strong supporter of Stonewalls Diversity Champions program ensuring firms that he worked at were members. Additionally, Paul has supported The Albert Kennedy Trust, acting as an advisor and gaining financial support for the Purple Door Program (Aviva sponsorship) he is involved in Out on the Street in the USA as a leadership board membe

Angela has worked with Aviva for a number of years, previously as Chief Actuary and currently as Chief Risk Officer of Aviva Life. She has been completely out for a number of years, plays an increasing role in the Aviva Pride network and has contributed to Aviva’s “It gets better project”. Additionally, she has recently joined York's Fairness and Equality Board which aims to tackle many forms of inequality and unfairness in York, including LGBT issues.

As China Managing Partner, Justin is responsible for the Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai offices. He founded the firm’s LGBT network in the London office in 2007, and helped to shape their LGBT programmes. On moving to the Hong Kong office, Justin then established the network for Asia and supported the launch of the Australian LGBT network. Additionally, Justin is the Asia representative in the recently formed Global D&I Council.

Louis is Chief of staff, global director office of the Chairman & CEO and executive communications and vice president Dow Olympic Operations. As Dow’s Chief of Staff, Louis works with the most senior leaders not only within the Company, but with other businesses, government entities and non-government organizations around the world.  He always brings his ‘whole’ and open self to work not only driving toward business goals, but passionately advocating for workforce equality and representing Dow’s Gays, Lesbians & Allies at Dow (GLAD) employee network as management sponsor. Louis is also a Member of the Board of Directors of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute and partners with groups like GLAAD and Out & Equal, in both a personal and a professional capacity.

Michael and eight other partners run the firm's highly successful Competition Practice across hubs located in London, Brussels and Hong Kong, overseeing 71 legal staff.  Michael is one of three openly gay partners at the firm, and took on the mantle of being Champion of the LGBT Network, which under his steer has become the most active and visible staff network within the firm. Michael is a role model and mentor for LGBT and non-LGBT staff both informally and as part of CONNECT – the Slaughter and May in-house cross-group mentoring scheme. Additionally, Michael has led Slaughter and May in the support of external organisations such as the InterLaw Diversity Forum, the Albert Kennedy Trust and Stonewall, alongside the Network's work in supporting pro bono clients.

As Global Head of Communications Tim is responsible for all corporate and business communications by the company, and is an adviser to the executive management group and other top management. He is a visible LGBT role model and plays an active role in its network and furthering LGBT issues internally and externally. He provides regular advice to the bank’s Diversity & Inclusion team, and is an advocate for the LGBT agenda with its senior executives. He is also a supporter of Stonewall and the Albert Kennedy Trust.

Richard is a senior executive and one of the top 100 people in the banking group. He uses his position to encourage people not feel they need to hide their real selves in the workplace and to know they have a senior ally confidant and supporter. He has been an active sponsor of the Stonewall youth leaders program and mentor a number of LGBT colleagues. Additionally he helped to organise the Audacity Talent rising Conference as part of the Lord Mayors appeal and her talent agenda.

Jo reports directly to the global president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises and is responsible for a team of 100 people. Jo ensures that all employees undertake diversity training and all employee benefits are open to same sex couples, including healthcare and cruise holidays. She recently spoke as part of the BFI’s Flare festival, which celebrity cruises was one of the primary sponsors. Additionally she is a regular speaker on inspiring LGBT individuals to have the confidence to achieve success. She is also an Honorary Professor at the University of West London.

Crawford is the Deputy CEO of M&S Bank, he is also an Executive Director and sits on the Marks & Spencer Financial Services plc board.  As the only LGBT Director in the business, Crawford is passionate about acting as a role model to the LGBT community, not only within the business but also externally. Over the past 12 months Crawford and the team at M&S Bank have implemented an LGBT support network and Crawford chairs the recently formed M&S Bank Diversity & Inclusion Committee. He works to proactively communicate that the business is a welcoming and diverse employer. Crawford also supports Stonewall and has completed M&S Bank’s first submission into the Workplace Equality Index.

Antonia is a founding Equity Partner of a business that she formed in 2007. She has always strived to be the true her. Transitioning in 2000 in a very male dominated working environment, where there was no history or visible LGBT influences to draw on, was her first step to being proud/loud/visible in the workplace. She has also been a Trustee of The Chartered Surveyors Training Trust for 10 plus years, and a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors, through which she aims to press for LGBT awareness within the Construction Industry. She is also assisting (on a pro bono basis) the Albert Kennedy Trust to relocate their offices currently in London,  attended and participated as a panel member at ‘Out on the Street’ last year, and recently assisted Lord Mayor Fiona Woolf’s Lord Mayors Appeal, as a panel member in July at the Audacity event.

Jim is the Head of Corporate Intellectual Property at A&O London, co-chair of the firm’s global Life Sciences sector group and Chair of A&Out (A&O’s global LGBT network). As chair of Allen & Overy’s LGBT network, he has the primary responsibility for acting as visible senior role model.  The network is now an international network involved in business development, graduate recruitment, mentoring and social responsibility activities. He has also organised a firm wide talk by Peter Tatchell on human rights and LGBT equality campaigning, and acts as mentor to junior LGBT staff. Additionally, in his spare time he has acted as a mentor to LGBT students through the DiversCity Role Model scheme and is a supporter of the Albert Kennedy Trust.

Andrew runs Gatwick’s strategy and regulatory function, leading a team of up to 30 senior leaders during a regulatory review.  He is part of a drive against minorities bullying (including LGBT) for staff at the airport, led by Gatwick’s HR team.  This has led to changes in HR policies and a focus on bullying issues within their company counselling service. As a personal role model – he has always been out at work and within his peer group community, and has supported other LGBT colleagues who have struggled with equality issues at work. He keen to take up opportunities outside of the workplace to tackle discrimination issues, where he could make a pertinent difference, in the future.

As Executive Director Lord Black is one of the most senior members of the TMG’s 1,000 employees. He is strongly committed to equality in the workplace and leads by example, supporting organisations such as Stonewall and Pride. He has also worked with other LGBT partners including Pink News. He constantly champions LGBT causes, most recently homophobic bullying and amendments to the criminal justice system and as active patron for those convicted of gross indecency before the law changes. He also works with the Human Dignity Trust taking on discriminatory legislation in the Commonwealth.

Jonathan has recently taken on the role of Global Chief Marketing Officer at Airbnb. Leading brand marketing, performance marketing, in-house creative and communications and PR. In his previous role at Coca-Cola he was the executive sponsor of the LGBT Business Resource group and the first openly gay executive leader. In February 2014 he also led the creative agenda on the Super Bowl campaign, which saw the first same sex parents in a Coca-Cola TV ad. He is also a sponsor and monthly donor to HRC and in October will be the keynote speaker at the ReachingOut conference.

Peter is a Managing Director in GTO and is running the Business Change and Transformation piece across large technology programs. Peter is the co-chair of dbPride UK, DB’s LGBT Employee Network since 2012, and was instrumental in the establishment of new chapters in Italy, Ireland and Spain.  He has become an active mentor to both out and closeted colleagues and he is available to anyone who asks for his support. Additionally, Peter is a Stonewall Ambassador and does charity volunteering for and makes financial donations to Rainbow Trust, Albert Kennedy Trust and Diversity Role Models.

Margaret is currently a Senior Advisor, a position of her own design, which is a rough equivalent to CIO emeritus. Margaret transitioned from male to female in 2002 while maintaining her role and visibility in the investment community. She has been actively involved in supporting transgender employment rights including numerous speaking engagements at corporations, congressional committees, universities, and conferences.  She has also supported transgender individuals by providing expert testimony and via academic scholarships, and she has been the recipient of numerous recognitions including the NGLCC Courage in Business Award.

Dennis leads McKinsey & Company’s Organisation Practice in the UK and Ireland and is the global Co-Leader of McKinsey's Diversity Matters research initiative which is investigating the relationship between Gender, Racial and Sexual Orientation diversity and company performance. Since taking over the leadership of Gays and Lesbians at McKinsey (GLAM) in London 2.5 years ago, Dennis and his colleagues have developed it into a high-performing successful cohort with strong leadership and ally support.  McKinsey has built up its LGBT executive and community outreach through hosting LGBT and HR executive roundtables, joining Stonewall, and supporting LGBT executive leadership development and community events including events for OUTstanding, Out Leadership, and others.  Dennis is also a Stonewall Ambassador.

Margot is responsible for the strategic growth and development of the company in Ireland. Under her leadership, Sodexo was a founding partner and signatory of Ireland’s first Diversity Charter.  Margot is on the leadership team for Sodexo's global Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) network which has been influential in ensuring LGBT issues are included in Sodexo’s Global D&I strategy and that practical guides to LGBT inclusion have been developed for use across the globe. Margot was also the founding chair of Sodexo’s Women Work network and is a board member of GLEN (The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network) in Ireland.

Debbie is a member of the Executive Team at NEST, and is personally responsible for all of their inclusion and diversity practice. She is fully out at work acts as a confidante and mentor to many people, both inside and outside of work. Prior to NEST Debbie was Director of Campaigns and Public Policy at Stonewall, where she campaigned to lift the ban on gay men and lesbians in the armed services, equalise the age of consent, and repeal section 28 amongst other things. She has recently been elected Chair of Governors in the small Church school her children attend, making her the first non-Christian, non-straight and non-white person to be elected to that position.

As Managing Director Consumer Telco at Microsoft, Marianne has very carefully crafted an aura of openness, often in countries where LGBT issues are particularly sensitive. Marianne sits on the World Wide Board of GLEAM: Gay and Lesbian Employees at Microsoft and she also personally mentors a few GLEAM-ers to help them to be authentic in the workplace. Additionally she can often be heard speaking at events held by initiatives such as Women in Wireless and Gay Women’s Network (GWN).

Phil is a 20-year veteran and partner at Bain & Company. He led the opening of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office in 2013 and currently serves as its managing director. While at Bain in the late 1990s, he co-founded BGLAD, Bain’s LGBT-employee network, which also acts as the LGBT undergraduate and MBA recruiting arm, in which Bain invests heavily, to identify and hire talented LGBT professionals. BGLAD helped to earn the firm a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, which Bain has successfully maintained for the last seven years. Additionally from 2003-2009, Phil served on the board of GLAAD, including four years as board co-chair. He also served as chairman of the board of then NASDAQ-listed PlanetOut, which owned brands such as Out and The Advocate.

Daniel is equity partner, a US securities lawyer and the head of the International Capital Markets group at CMS Cameron McKenna. Concurrently he also is the Diversity & Inclusion Partner and regularly meets with all the diversity networks in the firm. Daniel has played an active role within CMS, supporting its LGBT network through internal social gatherings as well as implementing support structures that involve protection against bullying/harassment and regularly reporting to management about the development of diversity policies. Daniel is also a Stonewall Ambassador, the founder of InterLaw Diversity Forum, has launched Apollo Project, and most recently embarked upon the Purple Reign initiative, a photographic project that highlights LGBT role models in different industries.

Chris reports directly to the COO who in turn reports to the CEO and sits on the Senior Leadership team. He was one of the founders of the Telefonica UK LGBTQ network in December 2013 and has since been the Executive Sponsor of the group. He is the most senior out person at Telefonica and writes a personal and business weekly blog on their Intranet site talking about Inclusion issues covering LGBTQ, gender and other Diversity. He is an active member of Stonewall attending their Workplace conference and helping to drive their focus on the WEI. Additionally Telefonica, under Chris’ leadership is one of the founder members of CheckOUT, the LGBTQ retail network.

Michael reports directly to the Group CEO of The Economist Group and is a member of the Group Management Team, placing him within the top 0.8% of the organisation. Since joining The Economist Group in 2006, Michael has been completely and continually open about his sexuality with all staff members, both those more junior and those more senior.  Michael has also been a regular participant in diverse leaders networking events in London, meeting with and discussing LGBT issues with senior management from across a range of industries, helping organisations to confront and address LGBT issues. Additionally, he regularly mentors young, diverse team members in various offices and helps them work through any issues they may have about their sexuality and how it may impact their careers.

Sadiq is the Chief Strategy Officer of Lufthansa, the world's largest aviation group and was the youngest Senior Vice President to have ever been appointed. He is recognised as one of the industry's leading thinkers, delivering the first airline TED-Talk, serving on the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council for Travel and lecturing at Stanford University. He sits on the board of the airline SunExpress and is Chairman of Lufthansa Consulting. He is a frequent speaker at major LGBT career events and founded Lufthansa’s first LGBT management network. He has visited over 115 countries and holds degrees from Cambridge University and Harvard Business School.

Mike is a member of the Senior Management Group of Morrisons. He has been a pioneer of LGBT rights in particular, and the importance of diversity in the workplace more generally, in business and in the marketing industry. A long-standing supporter of The Albert Kennedy Trust, Mike played a supporting role in the setting up of LAGPA – the Lesbian and Gay Police Association more than 20 years ago.

Matthew is on the Board of the Services Division of Balfour Beatty, reporting to the Divisional CEO, directly managing 12 people. As a director he has responsibility for 8,000 employees across the Division. Matthew chairs LGBT at Balfour Beatty, which he launched in 2013, and which by 2014 went Group-wide. In 2014 He convinced Balfour Beatty to join Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme. He has personally coached a trans employee, who will come to work as herself in October. Additionally, in September, Matthew organised the network’s first external event with Lord Browne of Madingley and launched a diversity Code of Practice for the Infrastructure Sector.”

Alison has worked with Standard Chartered for over 10 years, including 5 years spent as CEO of Standard Chartered Jersey. Now, as Programme Director Simplification she is an active member of the SC LGBT network, a regular speaker at their LGBT events, and is thoroughly open about her sexuality in all aspects of her life.

Patrick is a Deputy General Counsel at Accenture, leads the global function focussed on employment law, compliance and regulatory matters. He reports directly to the General Counsel and is a member of the Accenture Legal Executive Leadership team. In his additional role as the Executive Sponsor of the Accenture UK LGBT Network, Patrick acts as the interlock between the Accenture UK Executive and the LGBT Network committee to ensure an inclusive workplace for LGBT employees. He reverse mentors Accenture Leadership on the importance of inclusive ways of working encouraging them to consider initiatives that could be undertaken to support LGBT employees as well as raise awareness and enhance understanding amongst the UK workforce.  Externally to Accenture Patrick acts as a mentor to other organisations sharing best practice on LGBT equality in the workplace.

Elyse has been CEO of Boston Community Capital for 17 years. The organization, which she helped found in 1984, has invested over $1 billion to create affordable housing, jobs and opportunities for low-income people across the United States. Under Elyse’s leadership, BCC has a decades-old non-discrimination policy that includes language prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. They also strive to be a “lifecycle employer,” with family-friendly policies that benefit all staff, including LGBTQ employees. Additionally, Elyse served for many years in a leadership role on the GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders) Board and earlier this year accepted the Susan M. Love award from Fenway Health, an internationally renowned health institute for the LGBTQ community.

Denny is Head of Strategy and Planning at BSkyB and sits on Sky’s creative senior leadership team. He is open and out in his personal and professional life and believes in the power of authenticity in leadership and a diverse and inclusive environment at work. He has served as a mentor to emerging LGBT talent and is an active member and supporter of HRC, Stonewall, GLAAD, and is an Albert Kennedy Trust Purple Circle Donor.

Veit is the Chief Operating Officer of Maitland Group and as such manages a team of c.700 people spread across twelve countries and territories in Europe, Southern Africa and North America & the Caribbean. Veit manages the team within Maitland which has rolled out the firm’s first diversity and inclusion training. He has also acted a mentor and coach to another senior LGBT leader and is a role model for all aspiring LGBT professionals in business.

Sandy is the SVP of Talent at Yahoo, where he oversees all hiring at Yahoo. There are less than 20 SVPs in the company and it is the second most senior role after the CEO. He is also the chair of Yahoo’s LGBT Employee Resource Group (ERG).  In addition to attending HRC events, Sandy has led , attended and spoken at inclusion events ranging from Pride to OUT MBA and Trevor Live.  Currently, he is working with OUT and the Global Equality Fund to further their efforts in the LGBT arena. He also donates to charities that support inclusion on a regular basis, as well as participating in AIDS and HRC events as well as other local inclusion and charitable events.

Matt advises large, mostly US-based multinationals and is the UK lead for Deloitte’s consumer business tax practice, which is the firm’s second largest industry. He is also a member of the firm’s tax leadership. Matt has always been open about his sexuality within Deloitte and with his clients. He acts as a mentor for LGBT people at Deloitte, both informally and also formally through Deloitte UK’s GLOBE network of 260 people. Matt has also been a panel member for organisations such as Interbank LGBT forum. He speaks on panels, drawing on his experience as father to two boys to speak about gay parenting as well as more generally on being out in the City.

Scott is CEO of Camco Clean Energy plc, Executive Chairman of REDT a new renewable energy storage technology, and he holds non-executive director roles for International Emission Trading Association and Cenergi. As a CEO of a public company Scott actively promotes diversity and is out to all of his staff, investors and advisors globally, including offices in many emerging markets where LGBT role models don’t exist (for example they have 6 offices in Africa, including Uganda and Kenya). He recently set up the Clerkenwell professional gay club and actively supports Albert Kennedy Trust, Ben Cohen foundation and Terrance Higgins Trust.

Vincent is Managing Director and the Regional Group Chief Audit Executive for Société Générale and is completely open about his sexual orientation, both inside and outside of work. He is both the founder and Chair of the Société Générale LGBT Network and has presented to school children on the topic of homophobic bullying and the importance of language both in 2013 and 2014. Additionally in 2013, he won ‘Diversity Champion of the Year’ at the Out in the City & G3 readers awards and he ranked #42 in the Guardian’s World Power List 2014.

Coutts is one of the largest, if not largest, Private Banks in the UK. Since joining 26 years ago Mike has maintained his position as a consistently successful banker and is currently a Managing Director and Senior Wealth Manager. He is a keen promoter of Diversity at Coutts and speaks openly and passionately around the bank and with the CEO and Group CEO on LGBT issues. In 2010 Mike lobbied and started a LGBT Group within Coutts as well as promoting speaker events, including training sessions for staff about LGBT related issues which has made the workplace more welcoming and raised understanding of LGBT issues. Mike was an operator for the LGBT switchboard for a number of years and has been a supporter of THT, Stonewall and the Human Dignity Trust.

As Wells Fargo’s Director of Social Media, Renée Brown leads a team of 35 direct reports team members, orchestrates integration with 75 social practitioners, and leads an executive steering committee. She was an executive sponsor with Wells Fargo of PRIDE for several years and in that time successfully influenced the implementation of tax gross up for domestic partners and added the addition of self-identification to the HR system. Renee has also been a HRC Federal Club member more than 5 years, is a current member of the Out and Equal board of directors and a contributor to the LGBT Fund in Charlotte, NC to support LGBT non-profits to thrive.

Jeff has held a number of senior roles at Barclays since joining the organization from Lehman Brothers in 2008.  His most recent role is as the Global Head of Trading for Barclays Wealth, where he oversees a team of 118 staff.  Jeff is currently on the Barclays Global Oversight Board for Spectrum, the firm’s LGBT employee network.   He has led efforts that resulted in Barclays becoming the first financial institution in the United States to make domestic partnership benefits for LGBT employees equal to that of straight employees, as well as being involved in the launch of their Ally program.  He served as a board member of GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis) and since moving to London he has spoken at both the Stonewall Workplace Conference in Cardiff and in Edinburgh and is actively engaged with the Albert Kennedy Trust.

Richard sits at executive board level, is directly accountable for team of 130 and champions diversity in the workplace as well as the inclusive nature of the Debenham’s brand. He encourages support for key LGBT events and for the recent Pride weekend in London, the Oxford Street flagship store dressed its windows over to a “Freedom to be fabulous” which was then repeated in Manchester later in the year. He encourages LGBT awareness in brand communications, for example, their latest Weddings brochure includes photography of same sex couples. Richard has also recently engaged with OUTstanding in order to try and increase external involvement with LGBT issues.

Steve is one of 14 managing partners of the firm, managing 80 employees (the whole London office). He has held events for clients globally (including Dell, Facebook and Google) where the firm’s lawyers talk about coming out and succeeding at the workplace – for LGBT and non-LGBT clients.  He is also a Stonewall Ambassador, a donor to Albert Kennedy and a trustee of a charity that works with disadvantaged youth in eleven Asian and African countries. Additionally, Steve was involved in the start-up of the European same-sex ballroom dancing circuit in the late 90s/early 2000s, including winning a silver medal for Latin American ballroom dancing at the Gay Games in Amsterdam in 1998.

Previously CEO of DEPFA ACS BANK, Julia is now a Managing Director running four Debt Capital Markets businesses across EMEA. She has been an MD for over a decade and has been openly gay in the City since 1999. Julia often represents BofAML at various LGBT events and currently acts as co-chair of the firm’s LGBT Group which spearheaded the development of the Global Ally Programme that now has over 2,300 participants.

Tim is a Global Practice Group Head and Managing Director in the Corporate & Investment Bank Legal Department responsible for J.P. Morgan’s Equities business and for Global Regulatory Reform. Tim was the Chairman of the London chapter of Pride (the LGBT internal network) from 2004 - 2011. He is also a Stonewall Ambassador, a supporter of the Human Dignity Trust and of the InterLaw Diversity Forum. He has also participated in the Purple Reign initiative.  He is an elected Alderman of The City of London. Tim was announced In house finance lawyer of 2014 by the Legal 500 UK in October.

Harry is Chief Executive, championing architecture and the RIBA’s 40,000 members around the world. He has hosted LGBT events at the RIBA, including  Freehold -  bringing together LGBT people from across the construction industry. The RIBA’s staff survey shows that 93% of staff feel that ‘people are treated fairly regardless of their sexual orientation’; an increase of 1% from the previous year. His primary focus in recent years has been inside the workplace, however, in previous years he chaired JAT – originally the Jewish Aids Trust – that provided sexual health information and campaigning within the Jewish community. He was also an active campaigner for equal marriage.

Steven joined Fujitsu nearly 19 years ago as a programmer and earlier this year was promoted to Executive Director Public Sector, taking a position on Fujitsu’s UK & Ireland leadership team and operational board. When, in 2013, Fujitsu began to promote diversity, Steven decided to get involved. He formed Fujitsu’s internal LGB+ networking group, Shine, as well as co-drafted Fujitsu’s first submission to the Stonewall WEI. He regularly raises LGB+ topics on internal social media, actively encourages staff participation in London and Manchester Pride events and hosts meetings with champions from other companies, sharing ideas on how to develop and support LGB+ programmes.

DLA Piper is one of the largest law firms globally with more than 80 offices around the world and as the partner responsible for pro bono and Corporate Responsibility, Nicolas reports to the International Board. Recently Nicolas has drafted a Human Rights Policy which was approved/adopted at Board level,  was a founding member of the firm's UK LGB&T network, joined Stonewall as a corporate member and has provided sponsorship for the Winter Carnival in support of the Albert Kennedy Trust. He is also a member of the Public Interest Law Network's LGBT taskforce, and provides support to the Human Rights Law Centre.

Andy is a Partner within the UK firm of PwC which has over 17,000 PwC staff in the UK. In January 2012 Andy designed and sponsored the launch of the PwC internal LGBT network and made it open and inclusive for Gays, Lesbians and Everyone Else, (GLEE@PwC). According to their latest 2014 people survey the LGB and T community within PwC in the UK now feel more engaged than their ‘straight’ counterparts. Andy is now leading 3 new initiatives designed to help create an even more inclusive workplace – Reverse Mentoring, Talent Watch and Integrated D&I. He is also a trustee for Diversity Role Models an Ambassador for Stonewall, a trustee for Action Breaks Silence and a School Governor. Andy was awarded the Stonewall 2014[x-apple-data-detectors://8] Senior Champion of the Year award at this year’s Stonewall Awards and was listed 39th on the 2014 World Pride Power list.

Svetlana is a Vice-President, and a global head of function. She has a team of 16 people in Paris and New York and works across all levels of organisation, from junior managers to board directors. Svetlana was open from day one to everyone in the organisation, even asking about HR about attitude to LGBT employees during her job interview. She was interviewed by Financial Times “Strategies for same-sex postings” as a case study. She also supports a Russian on-line community ‘Children 404’ by publishing her life story to show a positive role model/example, as well as  supporting/mentoring a few young LGBT people. Svetlana has supported quite a few appeals on gay rights, globally (UN) and locally (UK, Africa).

For over a decade, Peter has created powerful campaigns that have engaged political audiences and influenced government policy. He was made the youngest Associate Director at Arup, where he provides strategic counsel to the Chairman and coordinates the public affairs of firm’s venturing activity in the UKMEA region. He founded Connect Out, the UK’s first LGBT network in the engineering sector, and organised for Lord Browne to present the firm’s first annual LGBT Address, which is now a regular event (speakers have included Evan Davis and Beth Brooke). Peter also lobbied his Chairman to extend the firm’s Diversity Committee to include a representative of the LGBT community. He also supported Lord Browne’s Book ‘The Glass Closet’ and is helping to coordinate the public affairs campaign for Pride in London 2015

As the HR Director for the new Financial Conduct Authority. Jacqueline is accountable for building the capability and effectiveness of the City's newest watchdog and its 3000 employees, who regulate the UK's financial markets and industry. She has made a conscious choice to be out from the beginning of her career 20 years ago and operates on the principle of ‘be the change you want to see’. She currently sits on the FCA's Diversity and wider Operations Committees and attends the FCA RemCo. She has been the Executive Sponsor for the LGBT network during her time at Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays. She has been a Stonewall trustee for ten years and was Chair of the Stonewall Board from October 2012-May 2014. In 2010 Jacqueline published the Truth About Talent which advises leaders on how to future proof their businesses with diversity.

In addition to Harry's global leadership role, he is the Department Manager for London's IT & Commercial practice and is Chair of the Firm's Global LGBT Initiative. Harry is a highly visible champion within Baker & McKenzie's London office and across the Global firm - attending without fail every LGBT/Allies Network meeting, seminar and social event and driving forward the Firm's Global LGBT Initiative with great gusto.  Harry is also actively involved in Stonewall and is on the Human Dignity Trust legal panel, for whom Baker & McKenzie act pro bono.

Nicholas leads performance and talent management at Thomson Reuters, a company of 53,000 that provides information for professionals around the world. He sits on the global Talent & Development Leadership Team, and chairs the UK chapter of Pride at Work, the company's LGBT business resource group. He recently co-led a global initiative to crowd-source ideas from employees to help customers serve LGBT markets, and ensured the company's first presence at Pride in London in 2013 and 2014. He has organised high profile events about workplace equality for LGBT people, and pioneered use of Thomson Reuters social media channels to promote its support for LGBT equality. While working at Google from 2005 – 2008, Nicholas established its LGBT network (Gayglers) in EMEA; he has been a Stonewall Ambassador since 2013.

At the age of 36, Robert is the Executive Director of Resources, leading more than 500 people across Finance, Treasury, IS&T, HR, Facilities Management and Learning & Development, as well as the Executive and strategic lead for Diversity and Inclusion. He is personally engaged with Circle’s diversity initiatives, initiating Circle’s first ever diversity conference for non-Executives and leading their first ever bus at London Pride. Under Robert’s leadership Circle Housing’s LGBT Network Group has increased from 20 to 70 members, and the organisation has jumped 106 places in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index during 2013/14.

Darren is part of EDF Energy’s Strategy and Corporate Affairs division. He supports the CEO and Executive Team on sustainability and responsible business practice, and voluntarily on LGBT issues as part of the Chief People Officer’s D&I Action Group. He chairs EDF Energy’s LGBT Supporters Network, created LGBT e-news, published an employee LGBT supporters role models guide, and recently hosted an LGBT health and wellbeing event. Darren is working with EDF Energy’s employee D&I Networks to launch Stonewall’s NoBystanders anti-bullying campaign across the company. He is active with Stonewall on the 2014 Youth Talent Programme and as a schools LGBT speaker. He volunteers as part of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s new Diversity Working Group.

Michael is the public representative of the firm and is responsible for strategy setting, as well as the management and direction of the business. He presents in person at twice-monthly induction meetings for new staff and always mentions their active LGBT group, always stressing that if anyone sees, or is a victim of discrimination in the workplace, they can contact him directly. He is also a Stonewall role model, co-ordinated Fieldfisher’s participation in the London Pride march and regularly attends internal and InterLaw networking events. Additionally he, along with Fieldfisher, are great supporters of Diversity Role Models, including supporting their annual Carnival fundraiser.

Mark is one of a team of 6 at senior executive director level including five women and one gay man (Mark), reporting directly to the Group CEO. They are all passionate about ensuring that the workplace is as welcoming as possible for LGBT individuals. Mark has supported Retail Trust for many years and is currently an ambassador for 'Macmillan Cancer Support’ in addition to his involvement with OUTstanding.

As one of the senior partners in the firm Isabella is able to influence business decisions as she is consulted on income, staff, technical and ad hoc matters. She is the first, and as far as she is aware, the only person in her workplace to come out as transgender, demonstrating to staff & clients that the firm is LGBT aware and friendly. In order to be fully open in the workplace she issued an email to staff and clients (over 200 copies) advising of her gender transition from male to female. Isabella is also actively involved in charities, with the aim of making Jewish organisations more inclusive of LGBT people.

David Lyon joined Tony Blair Associates in 2012 to grow and develop its business activities. David is the Board Managing Director of the company and leads a team of advisory professionals operating around the globe. Prior to working at TBA, David spent 29 years as an investment banker.  As a senior MD at Barclays Capital, he was the Chairman and Executive Sponsor of Spectrum.  David has always been honest, open and direct about his sexuality and is a long term supporter of THT, Stonewall and the Albert Kennedy Trust.

Tim Millward is founder and CEO of Extrastaff Ltd, one of the UK’s fastest growing and multi award-wining high street recruitment brands. A passionate entrepreneur and majority shareholder, Tim has driven Extrastaff from inception to 12 profitable locations throughout the South East. Committed to diversity in a sector not traditionally known for its inclusion of LGBT issues, Extrastaff has one of the lowest internal staff turnover figures in the industry and state of the art equal opportunities and diversity policies. Tim is an active supporter of the Terrence Higgins Trust, Diversity Role Models, Stonewall and the Elton John Aids Foundation

Pierre is Deputy General Counsel for the EMEA region, reporting to the General Counsel based in Sunnyvale (California), who himself reports into the CEO. He has been out inside and outside of work ever since he initially started working at Disneyland Paris as a cast member in the Park. Pierre is actively involved in supporting initiatives for LGBT employees internationally, positioning himself as executive sponsor of local projects.

Andrew is Vice Chairman of Hudson Sandler, a PR firm with 40 people, and was previously one of the senior 5 management team of a 200 person PR company. He thoroughly believes that his sexuality should have no bearing on how he conducts his job, and to this effect works to normalise LGBT identities in the workplace. He has been involved with a number of organisations over the years that have supported LGBT groups and individuals, including the London Lighthouse, THT, Supper Club, the Albert Kennedy Trust and Radius. He has also recently launched Building Futures, a new project with CHIVA (the Children’s HIV Association) which hopes to mentor prenatally infected HIV positive people.