The judging panels will come together to go through Top 10 submissions and decide on the winner. We have chosen judging panels of business and community leaders who are invested in their workplace and also the wider LGBT+ community. The Judging Panels will judge Oustanding Contribution to LGBT+ Life, Brand or Marketing Campaign, and the Business categories. Celebrity and consumer categories will be brought before a public vote.
Categories are:
Business Categories
- Exceptional Inclusion
- Future Leader
- Inspirational Leader
- Business Ally
- Diversity Hero
- Network Group (ERG)
- Inclusive Employer or Company
Individuals Category
- Outstanding Contribution to LGBT+ Life
Brand Category
- Brand or Marketing Campaign
Please enquire if you would like to receive more information on judging criteria or the nomination process.
Business Category Judges
Judging Panel
BABAK ERFANI
NETWORK RAIL
Babak joined Network Rail in 2009, and has spent his career working on the development, design and construction of major infrastructure projects. He led the design and construction of part of London’s Crossrail network, before moving on to head up Network Rail’s major investment programme in signalling and digital railway projects across the South West of the UK.
In 2013 Babak established Archway, the company’s LGBT+ employee network. Over the past six years it’s grown to become the largest LGBT+ network in the rail industry and in 2017 it won the British LGBT Awards’ employee network award. Since 2016 it has hosted a major industry annual conference on LGBT+ inclusion, along with a huge variety of events all over Great Britain, along with a ground-breaking training programme for allies. This year it joined the umbrella group for LGBT+ employee networks in rail across Europe, developing international links and sharing best practice across the continent.
In 2017 Babak was awarded an MBE for his work at Archway in recognition of the support it has provided for LGBT+ colleagues throughout Britain’s railways.
BOBBI PICKARD
BP
Bobbi is a senior project manager and incredibly active in the transgender awareness space. As the award winning Co-Chair of BP Pride’s Transgender Group she has been instrumental in changing BP’s level of transgender awareness globally. In addition to founding the multi-company transgender collaboration “Trans in the City” she provides free consultancy and training for schools and organisations through Transknowledge.co.uk.
Bobbi started transitioning at the end of 2017 and came out at BP shortly afterwards – she identifies as transgender, her pronouns being She and Her.
Bobbi is the singer and bassist in a band and has two amazing children
CHARLIE CLARK
MACQUARIE
Charlie has worked within the investment banking industry for 15 years and has enjoyed seeing a huge amount of change in this time. He joined Macquarie 3 years ago and has co-chaired Macquarie’s Pride Employee Network Group for the last 2 years. Under his stewardship, the network has expanded to enable the network to increase visibility, partnering with other networks to serve the entire LGBTQ+ community and their allies. This year the network has won several nominations and awards, including Highly Commended Network from Stonewall, shortlisted for top 10 network by Diva and played a significant role in Macquarie being named as the number one employer in the UK on the Stonewall Equality Index. Charlie’s work within LGBTQ+ doesn’t stop in the workplace, he also volunteers for the BeYou Project outside of work, which provides young LGBTQ+ people with a safe space to socialise, have fun and support each other.
HENRY GOSLING
TESCO
Henry started working for Tesco in 2004 while still at university. After completing his degree he worked his way through the internal management program holding a number of positions in stores before moving to Head Office in 2012 as a Project Manager.
In 2018 Henry started to work with the LGBTQ+ at Tesco Network helping to create the strategy for the coming years and to ensure that they support and challenge the business. Throughout his time in the network he has held many conversations with external speakers and used his own personal experience and expertise to help our colleagues understand more about the LGBTQ+ community, and ensure everyone is accepted at Tesco, without exception.
By working with the network it supported him in making the transition to Diversity & Inclusion Manager where he now supports all six of the Colleague Networks at Tesco . Using his expertise and skills he is not afraid to challenge the conversation and help to deliver Tesco’s ambitious D&I plans for the future. Most recently Henry helped Tesco to achieve a 142 place climb in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index where Tesco is now 23rd position.
KAYUS FERNANDER
CITI GROUP
Kayus Fernander helps to run the Global Clearing Payments Business at Citi, working with top-tier financial institutions around the world. A native of The Bahamas and now based in London, Kayus has embraced his role as a global citizen, having lived and worked in multiple jurisdictions and benefiting from a wealth of diverse cultural experiences.
Kayus joined Citi in 2012, after having attained an Economics degree from Beloit College and an honours MBA from Manchester Business School. His professional career has included working with an ETF broker on the Chicago Stock Exchange, as a Finance Analyst with a multi-billion dollar property developer and as an FDI Analyst in a public sector role.
As a Diversity and Inclusion Leader, Kayus has a passion for exploring intersectionality, given his lived experiences as a Black, gay man from the Caribbean. He is a 2021 Stonewall LGBTQ+ Leadership Programme delegate and regularly serves as a facilitator and creator of Diversity and Inclusion initiatives within his industry. Kayus is keenly interested in topics ranging from racial and gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights and visibility, financial inclusion and social mobility. He lends his skills and passion to various pursuits: committee member for Citi Affinity Groups (including Citi London Pride Steerco), former President of Citi’s Toastmasters Club, and as a tenor in the Citi Choir London. The keynote speaker at the first ever TEDxCitiLondon and TEDxCitiDublin, Kayus encouraged his colleagues to embrace a more direct and open approach to communication.
MICHAEL HARVEY
HSBC UK
Joining HSBC in 2008, Michael has worked in several roles throughout the HSBC branch network. He began in his native Northern Ireland, before moving to London in 2012, to launch M&S Bank. Michael’s day role now involves working with HSBC groups global high net worth customers.
Since moving to London, Michael has been a committee member of HSBC Pride. For the last three years, he has been a co-chair of the group. Through this role, Michael has grown Pride membership to over 5000, driven cultural LGBT inclusion, and helped HSBC climb the Stonewall equality ranking.
Outside of work Michael enjoys LGBT spin class, James Bond novels, and spending time with his ever-growing collection of nieces and nephews.
PIPPA DALE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE
Pippa Dale, Director Issuer Services at the London Stock Exchange has built her career over many years, working at some of the most prestigious investment banks including Goldman Sachs, Society Generale, UBS, Barclays and most recently BNP Paribas. At the end of 2019 she joined LSEG, taking her wealth of knowledge in the bond market to build out their SparkLive digital marketing platform; driving forward the critical need to democratise capital markets in a sustainable way. Pippa, a confident out lesbian, has a unique commitment to the LGBTQ community. She founded LBTQWomen, an international network to celebrate the exceptional talent within the femme, butch, trans, bi and non-binary side of the LGBTQi community.
SCARLET-MARIE MORGAN
ALLIANZ
Scarlet Marie came out as a proud transgender woman during the Covid Pandemic 2020. Scarlet has worked within the insurance industry to change the way the industry sees not only the transgender community but the entire LGBTQ community. She has been a pioneer with raising awareness for the LGBTQ community. Scarlet has worked and ensured security with her team to protect transgender individuals when transitioning while working creating a transitioning policy. Scarlet has sacrificed her time and her privacy to be part of the legendary trans men and woman who path the way to make things a little bit better for the LGBTQ Community. Holding events and sharing her journey globally, with no question ever going un answered. Scarlet has encouraged trans people within the cooperate world to not hide away and has inspired some incredible work within Allianz insurance becoming Allianz Insurance first ever Transgender Ambassador.
Scarlet says, “I spent 30 years living in the shadow of a woman who hadn’t even been born yet… now born I have no intention of ever allowing anyone to feel they have to hide.”
SHAM MAJEVADIA
LEVI’S
Sham Majevadia is a Junior HR Generalist for the UK & Ireland for Levi Strauss & Co. Sham has always worked in the HR & Talent Acquisition field, previously holding roles with Topshop Topman & Primark. He is part of the leadership team for Unlabeled – Levi Strauss Europe’s LGBTQ+ and ally employee network – driving the Community pillar which involves outreach work, supporting external partners and inspiring members to give back to the community.
SHARON HAGUE
PEARSON
After graduating from Oxford University, Sharon taught in schools in Essex and Hertfordshire for 8 years before joining Pearson. Sharon has held a variety of posts at Pearson and is currently Managing Director of Pearson School Qualifications. Her responsibilities include the development and delivery of Pearson portfolio of UK qualifications and assessments globally together with the services that support teaching and learning in both primary and secondary schools.
Sharon has extensive experience of working closely with governments, schools and other partners to provide services that help children and young people make progress in their lives. Sharon is a passionate advocate for inclusivity both in the workplace and within education.
SUSAN O’BRIEN
JUST EAT TAKEAWAY
Susan O’Brien joined the Just Eat family in April 2016, initially as a consultant then moving into the Global Brand Director role and later promoted to Global CMO Just Eat. Following the merger with Takeaway.com in 2020 she was asked to take on the additional responsibilities of Global VP Brand for the newly merged organisation. As part of her role, Susan works closely with and supports all of the Just Eat Takeaway.com’s 25 international markets, sharing learnings, delivering marketing best practice and global creative and media campaigns. Susan is a board level marketer having enjoyed successful stints at BSkyB and Virgin Media before starting her own consultancy where she worked with brands such as the BBC, Amazon Prime and Vodafone across numerous international markets.
WINCIE KNIGHT
PARAMOUNT
Wincie Knight is VP Global Inclusion Strategy at Paramount. Knight is responsible for leading VCNI’s diversity and inclusion strategy in Australia, Canada, Israel and the UK, where she is a passionate advocate for championing a company culture centred on belonging.
Knight works collaboratively with all of Paramount’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), Proud is the ERG that focuses on enriching the professional development of LGBTQ+ employee and allies and champions community, key causes and building an inclusive culture, all whilst serving as an LGBTQ+ resource for the company. Under her guidance, ERGs empower all employees to develop initiatives that positively impact the business and build a sense of community.
Knight holds an MSc in Organisational Behaviour from Birkbeck, University of London where she conducted research focused on Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic employees in media organizations. In addition, she has completed an Executive Leadership Programme at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business in the United States.
Outstanding Contribution to LGBT+ Life
Judging Panel
DR S CHELVAN
33 BEDFORD ROW
Dr Chelvan is Head of Immigration and Public Law at 33 Bedford Row Chambers, and Legal Advisor to the Memorandum of Understanding 2 Coalition Against Conversion Therapy. Chelvan has a global reputation as a leading expert on refugee and human rights claims based on sexual or gender identity, or expression, practising in the field of LGBTQ+ Refugee Law for the past twenty years. In the past twelve months Chelvan has given evidence to Parliament on the specific vulnerabilities and dangers Queer Refugees will face as a result of the Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill. He is additionally profiled as a 2022 LGBTQ Trailblazer by Attitude Magazine. His drive and passion for positive change reflects his commitment to visibility and soft power as the greatest threats to discrimination, prejudice, and hate.
EILIDH ‘BOOM’ MACLEOD
GALOP
Boom has over 12 years’ experience working across the diversity and inclusion field, with a focus on LGBT+. She joined Galop as Head of Fundraising and Comms in November 2021, and is committed to using the power of ‘brand’ to expand the charity’s influence in order to reach as many victims and survivors as possible.
Previously, Boom was CMO for SPM Group Ltd, working to bring brands such as the British LGBT Awards to life, alongside developing diversity events and training programmes used by some of the UK’s largest organisations. She also has retail marketing experience with almost five years as a marketing executive for Breitling watches. She sits on the Advisory Board for the Privilege Project.
GURCHATEN SANDHU
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION
Sandhu serves as committee member of International Family Equality Day NGO, advising on non-discrimination based on family status in the world of work, a fellow of the Salzburg Global LGBT forum, a Sarbat LGBT Sikhs volunteer and a Board Advisor for We Create Space. Gurchaten is listed as the OUTStanding LGBT Role Model for four consecutive years from 2018 to 2021, an Honouree of the Out & Equal’s 2021 Global LGBTQ Corporate Advocate Outie Award as well as the winner of the British LGBT Award for Exceptional Inclusion 2021.
LIZ WARD
STONEWALL
Liz (she/her) is Director of Programmes at Stonewall. She has spent her career working in the charity sector fighting for racial justice, equality and creating a world where everyone is free to be themselves. Previosuly, Liz led The Advocacy Academy, the UK’s only Social Justice Leadership programme, launching campaigns focussing on decolonising the curriculum, improved legal aid for students, tackling police brutality and creating spaces for religious queer kids of colour. Outside of work she is a big football fan and plays for Goal Diggers FC, London’s biggest women and non-binary football club and was named on the Football Black List 2021 in the practitioners category.
PAUL MARTIN
LGBT FOUNDATION
aul Martin OBE is Chief Executive of LGBT Foundation – a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities. With a history dating back to 1975, they campaign for a fair and equal society where all LGBT people can achieve their full potential. Each year, LGBT Foundation supports over 40,000 people, achieving an average 98% satisfaction rating, as well as providing information to over 600,000 individuals online.
Paul has been actively involved in the LGBT Community for over 30 years. Paul was awarded an OBE in 2011.
PHYLL OPOKU-GYIMAH
UK BLACK PRIDE
Lady Phyll works with activists and changemakers across the African continent and the Commonwealth, to help shape strategies and raise money for ongoing efforts to liberate LGBTQ people impacted by discrimination, persecution and violence. She is regularly called upon to provide guidance, advice and leadership for LGBTQ civil society organisations and is co-founder of UK Black Pride and Executive Director for Kaleidoscope Trust, an LGBT+ International Human Rights charity.
In January 2022, Lady Phyll was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from London Southbank University in recognition of her decades-long work fighting for the rights of marginalised communities in the UK; and in October 2021, she was recognised for her enduring contribution to LGBTQ life in the UK with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the British LGBT Awards.
SUSIE GREEN
MERMAIDS UK
Susie first contacted Mermaids in 1999; she then became a trustee and has been CEO since January 2016. Over the years, she has helped the charity to reach out to thousands of children, young people and their families. Having worked in the third sector for over 20 years, Susie is committed to ensuring that all children are respected and loved unconditionally. She says: “I am passionate about working for Mermaids because without Mermaids, I would have been lost. Speaking to and meeting others was a lifeline for me. I don’t want a single young person or their family to feel as helpless and isolated as I did so many years ago.”
Brand or Marketing Campaign
Judging Panel
ABY HAWKER
TRANSMISSION PR
Aby Hawker is a chartered communications professional with more than 20 years’ experience. She has worked on national, regional and international campaigns for household brands ranging from British Airways and National Grid to Braun and Gillette.
In 2016 she was offered the role of communications lead for a start-up hell-bent on turning the woefully inadequate healthcare provision for trans people on its head. This role gave her a deep understanding of the challenges facing trans and non-binary people, as well as clarity around the urgent need for allies to be proactive in their support.
Today, Aby runs TransMission PR, a transgender awareness and inclusion consultancy focused on making PR, marketing and advertising campaigns inherently inclusive, rather than inclusivity being an afterthought.
CHRISTOPHER KENNA
BRAND ADVANCE
Christopher Kenna is CEO and Founder of Brand Advance Group which encompasses Brand Advance / DECA Diversity Media Consultancy, BA creative agency and technology platform Cultural Intelligence, a Startups.co.uk top 100 company the last 3 years (2021), and connects brands with diverse audiences globally, through Insights, Media and Creative that more authentically engages these communities.
Brand Advance Group was named (Campaign 2021 -media Business of the year) & (The DRUM – Diversity & Inclusion Company of the Year 2021).
Christopher is a member of the WFA Diversity Board, and as a mixed race, out gay father – he is a strong advocate for diversity and representations within media and advertsing. He is also on the advisory boards for ITV, London MetPolice and the V&A Museums.
An award winning entrepreneur having received the Innovator of the Year Award at the second annual Ex-Forces in Business Awards and was recently named on EMPower’s 100 Ethnic Minority Executives 2020 and OUTstanding top 100 LGBT Executives.
JERRY DAYKIN
OUTVERTISING
Jerry Daykin is a respected global marketer who has led digital & media for brands including Cadbury & Guinness, most recently leading advertising for GSK Consumer Healthcare across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. As a passionate proponent for the important of diversity & inclusion both within the marketing industry & the communications it produces Jerry is a World Federation of Advertising diversity ambassador and a voluntary director of the LGBTQ+ group Outvertising. He has campaigned for advertisers to defund hate & support diverse media titles, and presented as part of the Conscious Advertising Network at a UN Human Rights Council forum in Geneva.
MIKEY ROBINSON
GYMSHARK
Mikey Robinson is a content creative who has been bringing social-first campaigns to life for 10 years.
Career highlights include leading Three UK’s first ever LGBTQ+ Pride campaigns, recording a mindfulness podcast voiced by Lewis Capaldi, convincing Gemma Collins to try ASMR and turning Adwoa Aboah into London Fashion Week’s first AR model.
Most recently Mikey lead creative at Three UK’s in-house agency Studio Three working on strategic partnerships with LADbible, Snapchat, Activision and Chelsea FC.
He has since swapped 5G for fitness, taking the role of Social Media Production Lead at Gymshark, creating content for their almost 20m followers.
NWORA EMENIKE
CHAPTER Z MAGAZINE
Nwora graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2018, having moved to London from the vibrant city of Leeds at the tender age of 17 to gain a qualification in Advanced Marketing. He’s worked with Gal-Dem, the Advertising Association, Vizeum UK, the UK Government Communication Service and has represented the AA on the board of Outvertising- the not-for-profit LGBTQ+ advertising lobbying group. He is currently a Digital Communications Manager at the Royal African Society, and has a keen interest in the role media can play in promoting the fair and full representation of people from marginalised groups. You can read some of his work in the 2021 Google Rare Book, Campaign Magazine and Chapter Z Magazine, where he addresses the barriers those from marginalised groups face when breaking the glass celling and surviving & thriving in a western society.
Please enquire if you would like to receive more information on judging criteria or the nomination process. The Outstanding Contribution to LGBT+ Life category will return before a judging panel as well as Brand or Marketing Campaign, which has moved from a public vote to official judging.