"Open conversations are the key to moving things forwards"
Founded by William Lloyd-Hayward (Brightstar) and Andy Shields & Amy Loddington (Barcadia Media), the Alliance has a clear mission: to support, represent, and advocate for LGBT+ individuals across the financial sector. As research shows that LGBT+ people are nearly twice as likely to lack confidence in the financial services industry (44% vs. 25% of people who don’t identify as LGBT+), the PIFA seeks to address these disparities and create meaningful change from within.
Pride in Finance Alliance members will be encouraged to promote an open workplace where LGBT+ employees feel safe and empowered, appointing LGBT+ champions to provide a voice and key point of contact. They will be supported by the Alliance to review their internal practices and policies and develop training programs which address prejudice and discrimination in the workplace, and all members will be asked to share their progress and examples of good practice to help support one another.
As PIFA members, firms will be supported by a comprehensive resource bank with tools for attracting, supporting, and retaining LGBT+ talent within the financial services industry; in-person and digital events to allow for networking and sharing experiences and dedicated social media community groups. The Alliance will also undertake an annual confidential survey to provide targeted action plans for members.
A number of industry businesses have already signed up to the Alliance - including Brightstar Financial, Sirius Finance, Knowledge Bank, MovinLegal, Altura Mortgage Finance, Coreco, Twenty7Tec, MTF, OMS, Enra Specialist Finance, DigitalCat Consultancy, Connect Mortgages, L&C Mortgages, Made Events, Together, and MQube.
Businesses interested in becoming Pride in Finance Alliance members can contact William Lloyd-Hayward on william.lloyd-hayward@thebrightstargroup.co.uk or Amy Loddington on amy@barcadia.media.
Project lead William Lloyd-Hayward said:
“It has been a journey to launching the Alliance but one I am incredibly proud to see come together. Respecting difference, promoting allyship and championing the creation, development and enhancement of safe and inclusive spaces for the LGBTQ+ community within our industry, to be who they are and love who they are and who they want is something I want to do all I can to advance.”
Gareth Lewis, MD of MT Finance said:
“We are delighted to be joining the Pride In Finance Alliance. As a firm we are committed to ensuring we provide the most open and supportive culture we can to not just our staff, but to all our customers and are looking forward to engaging with the Alliance on building greater allyship across our business and the wider market”
Nicola Firth, Founder & CEO of Knowledge Bank said:
“I’m proud to be a supporter of the Pride in Finance Alliance both personally and as a signatory with Knowledge Bank. Open conversations are the key to moving things forwards to ensure that we are always open and inclusive. Allyship is something that I am passionate about and I won’t feel that our job is done until no one has to explain who they were born to be. I’m really looking forward to working with the team on this going forwards and being that change.”
Communications lead Amy Loddington added:
“The Pride in Finance Alliance is not about perfection but progression. We’ve seen great strides made with initiatives like the Women in Finance Charter and Race at Work Charter, and we hope that with the support of the industry, we can inspire the same kinds of conversations, support and engagement with LGBT+ issues with the Pride in Finance Alliance.”
