Our CEO Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE has been selected to join the OUTstanding LGBT+ Executive List 2021 by INvolve, a global network championing diversity and inclusion in business. Supported by Yahoo Finance, the list celebrates LGBT+ leaders who are breaking down barriers and creating more inclusive workplaces across the world.
Commenting on this recognition for his work in leading initiatives in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in business, teaching and training, Neil Bentley-Gockmann says:
I am honoured to be included on this list and while I am delighted to be recognised as a role model, I believe that there is still so very much more that we need to do to make education and workplaces more equitable for LGBT+ young people.That’s why I remain committed to championing our work with our partners at WorldSkills UK to improve access to training, jobs and apprenticeships so that we can help many more young people, from all backgrounds, get the best start in work and life.
Founder and CEO of INvolve, Suki Sandhu OBE, says, “I’m thrilled to be celebrating this trailblazing group of global LGBT+ and Ally Role Models who are championing inclusion and inspiring the next generation of talent. It’s vital that the LGBT+ community can succeed and be authentic in business and beyond, and these Role Models are essential in dismantling barriers to progression and creating opportunities for LGBT+ employees to thrive.”
Judges for the nominations representing a range of business leaders in their fields were:
- Jim Fitterling – CEO, Dow
- Dawn Airey – independent Director, Grosvenor Estates
- Ashok Vaswani – Global Consumer and Payments Head, Barclays
- Harriet Green – CEO and Chairman, IBM (Asia Pacific)
- Suki Sandhu – Founder, INvolve
- Lianna Brinded – Head, Yahoo Finance
As part of our work in improving diversity and inclusion we host the annual Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Heroes Awards in partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners to celebrate individuals going the extra distance to improve EDI in education and business.
Nominations for the Awards are now open and nominators can put themselves forward or a third party and the categories are:
- EDI Initiative of the year sponsored by Toyota Manufacturing
- Diversity network of the year sponsored by Air Products
- Inclusivity in excellence sponsored by Palo Alto Networks
- Rising star award
Concludes Neil Bentley-Gockmann: “It is only through the continuous and concerted efforts of leaders at all levels throughout education and business that we can achieve the level playing field we need to allow all young people to be able to reach their potential.”
