Top 10 Inspirational Leaders 2021

In alphabetical order

You cannot vote in this category.
This category is judged based on evidence provided according to the British LGBT Awards criteria.

ALEX KALOMPARIS

Gilead

In January 2017 Alex joined Gilead Sciences as Vice President for Public Affairs. He is responsible for all communications and patient advocacy activities across Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. In addition to his day job he is also the Executive sponsor of Gilead’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group in Asia, Australia and Taiwan.

Now in its third year, the group have partnered with HR to develop an LGBT+ recruitment and onboarding strategy, run numerous awareness sessions for employees including on trans inclusivity and mental health, promoted and lobbied for the new gender identity transition policy and ensured Gilead was represented in Pride events in countries around the world. They have also established a mentoring programme for colleagues based in countries with fewer rights for LGBT+ people and established an employee fundraising campaigns for organisations like Kaleidoscope and the Albert Kennedy Trust.

Externally Alex is an active speaker and campaigner on LGBT+ inclusion in the workplace, including the Pink News Parliamentary Reception, IE LGBTQ@Work event in Madrid, the LGBTech Roundtable in Tel Aviv, London’s Lord Mayor’s LGBTQ+ event. He has been recognized by the Financial Times as the OUTstanding top 100 LGBT+ Executives for 2018 and 2019.

JONATHAN TAYLOR

BNP Paribas

As Head of Communications for BNP Paribas Global Markets, Jonathan is an advocate for inclusion, using the channels at his disposal to spotlight diversity role-models and bring visibility to under-represented groups. He has co-chaired the BNP Paribas Pride UK network for 2 years, engaging with senior management on LGBTQ+ rights, building on the bank’s strong relationship with groups like UK Black Pride, and playing an active role in its global Pride presence in 22 locations worldwide. The bank’s active and engaged Pride network, including members from graduate to MD level, has worked incredibly hard through lockdown to push forward on issues like visibility, intersectionality, and trans rights.

JOSH GRAFF

LinkedIn

Josh joined LinkedIn – the world’s largest professional network – in 2011, and is now the EMEA & LATAM Managing Director. He is responsible for driving culture, revenue and member growth & engagement across the region. He is the Global Executive Sponsor for LinkedIn’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group Out@In, where he has developed a dedicated program for high potential, high performing LGBTQ+ talent, as well as partnerships to elevate LGBTQ+ business voices amongst LinkedIn’s 750 million members. Josh was recently a Commissioner on the HIV Commission, whose goal is to eliminate HIV transmissions in England by 2030.

JULIA ATWATER

Atos

Julia leads a team of Customer Experience (CX) and Communications professionals responsible for transforming Financial Services clients. Julia co-founded Atos’s global LGBT+ Allies network, which has since grown to 1300+ LGBT+ colleagues and allies in 32 countries. An outspoken LGBT+ role model actively contributing to all of Atos’ diversity networks, Julia places great importance on intersectional inclusion. She regularly presents to internal and external senior stakeholders, sharing best practice and challenging leaders to create more inclusive work environments. As Manager of York RI Ladies rugby team she ensures that LGBT+ inclusivity is at the core of their culture.

LUCY BRADBURY

AECOM

Lucy Bradbury (she/her) is a Sustainability Manager at AECOM and Co-Chair of Building Equality in Greater Manchester. Lucy specialises in project managing AECOM’s response to the climate emergency and leads on initiatives to reduce AECOM’s operational emissions. As the Co-Chair of Building Equality Greater Manchester, Lucy co-ordinates multiple construction and engineering organisations with the aim to make the industry more inclusive and welcoming for the LGBTQ+ community.

LUCY MCKILLOP

Clear Channel

By day Lucy is head of Brand Marketing for outdoor media owner Clear Channel UK. She is also the first bisexual woman to be joint-CEO of Outvertising, the ad industry’s volunteer run advocacy group. A good listener who accidentally interrupts people more than she’d like to admit, she’s commercially minded, is creative and enthusiastic.

In non-work life, she’s a big fan of a kitchen disco, relies heavily on Hello Fresh, is a mother and wife, sister and daughter. Of a weekend, she’d like to think she’d be found sipping wine while reading a good book or doing yoga. But is more likely to be caught watching Netflix and eating take away. Balance is key.

NICCI TAKE

MERCER

• Used to be a boy but she’s alright now!

• Is Head of Growth for Mercer Wealth

• Spent 44 years pretending to be male and trying hard to fit into a role that, like a bad suit, didn’t fit

• The past 9 she’s been wearing haute couture that does fit and spends her time trying to change the world, one bigot at a time.

• Works in London but lives in Liverpool with her wife and 3 kids, all of whom don’t miss her as much as her cooking.

• An international professional stand-up with 3 Edfringe shows.

PAUL DONOVAN

UBS

Paul Donovan is the Chief Economist for UBS Global Wealth Management, providing analysis of global economics, policy and politics. Paul has been using economics to advocate diversity and inclusion with a focus on LGBTQ+ rights for a decade – within UBS, with clients, and in the global media.

Paul’s writings in favour of marriage equality were a first in the financial markets. They inspired his book, “Profit and Prejudice” (2020) in which he argues that economic change will increase prejudice against the LGBTQ+ community and others. Resisting prejudice is vital to achieving economic success, and companies must not be neutral in this fight.

RICHARD MOOR

National Grid

Richard is a Portfolio Manager at National Grid creating long term business results through leadership, communication and commercial alignment. Richard is passionate about people driving cultural change through motivating teams. He uses his strategic leadership skills to create sustained value, empowering his team to bring their whole self to work.

Richard is dedicated to inclusion and, having co-chaired the LGBTQ+ network at his former employer, is an active member of Pride, motivating the ERG to be bigger, better and bolder. Richard leads from the front promoting the #thisisme agenda.

Richard talks openly about his husband and two adopted children.

STEPHEN JACQUES

Key Assets Group

Stephen is an internationally recognised role model and inspirational leader who uses his platform to champion LGBT+ inclusion. At work he is a strong advocate and visible role-model for LGBT+ colleagues, foster carers and young people.

In 2020 Stephen was involved in the development of a refreshed employee diversity network and equality charter, This is Us, which introduces mentoring opportunities for LGBT+ employees. Stephen always supports and sponsors company initiatives focused on LGBT+ inclusion, celebration and awareness.

Outside of work he is a prominent speaker on LGBT+ inclusion, a Board Director for an LGBT+ charity/publication and actively supports LGBT+ initiatives.