Director at Arup and Global Leader of the Civil Engineering and Utilities Skill Network. Chair of the Manchester Climate Change Partnership, and member of the GM Business Board.
I have been to a few awards events in my career. None like the British LGBT Awards that I had the great privilege to attend last night, as a nominee for Business Ally of the Year. A wonderful mix of activities, business groups and celebrities, celebrating the successes in achieving more inclusive workplaces of the past decade, but also making clear that there is so much more to do. Best acceptable speech (and there were many great ones) was from Sue Sanders founder of Schools Out, about the vital work they do with teachers and students to make schools inclusive places. Loudest cheer, well close to me, was for the Diversity Hero Award to my Arup colleague Zoe Megins-Davies. They would not forgive me giving a plug to the planned National Transgender Memorial in Manchester. Very pleased to have been nominated for an award, but all respect to the winner of my category Adrian Mardell CEO of Jaguar Land Rover for the great work he has done. Final thought, perhaps exemplified by Adrian. Working for inclusion in business is not a Duty, it is not a diversion from running a business. Creating businesses where we can attract the best people to work with us, where they can bring the best of themselves to work, is fundamental to business success. Great to see so many businesses understand that fundamental point. We are not yet where we need to be, where events like last night are not necessary, but so good to celebrate the successes that have been achieved. https://lnkd.in/eEGHV7Xy
Consultant, researcher, placemaker, speaker & advocate
4wThanks Mike, it was so wonderful to celebrate with you. If I may also plug the fundraiser... https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/national-trans-monument 👀