July has been a busy month for Shoosmiths’ PROUD network! As well as launching its new name and logo (pictured), the network also hosted its first webinar – on supporting LGBT+ colleagues and building inclusive environments.
In a year when we haven’t been able to celebrate Pride in person, it was really important to us that we did something online - to bring people together, to be honest about our experiences, and to further the conversation around supporting the LGBT+ community (in and out of work).
Simon Boss, Shoosmiths’ Chief Executive and Sponsor of the network, took on chairing duties. He was joined by a fantastic panel of speakers, as we collaborated with worlds as diverse as professional services, education, and sport!
- Stephanie Hardy - Co-Chair for PwC's Midlands Diversity & Inclusion Council and committee member for Shine Midlands (PwC's LGBTQ+ staff network)
- Andrew Moffat MBE – CEO of No Outsiders charity and Personal Development Lead at Excelsior Trust in Birmingham
- Sirri Topping - Participation & Engagement Manager for LEAP Sports Scotland and project lead for Football v Homophobia Scotland in partnership with the Scottish FA
As well as sharing personal experiences, and comparing / contrasting experiences within different sectors, the discussion moved into the steps that all organisations can take to prioritise inclusion (and the potential ramifications if they don’t). If you are interested, the full recording is available to listen to below.
We’re looking forward to planning future events and are always open to collaboration. If you have any ideas, for topics, guest speakers, or anything else, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given. © Shoosmiths LLP 2024.