Around 70 LGBTQ+ business leaders and allies heard from Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig on how the community can be models for young people, at Pride In Leadership’s summer social hosted by leading independent law firm Brabners.
Bev Craig was the guest speaker at the evening of networking and discussion at Brabners’ Manchester City Centre base at 100 Barbirolli Square.
The council leader shared her experiences of rising to become Manchester’s first gay and first female council leader. She also explored why it’s important to support young LGBTQ+ people, with many still facing challenges despite societal progress towards greater equality.
Brabners partner Steven Appleton, chair of the firm’s LGBTQ+ affinity group, and member of the firms’ colleague-led Together Action Group (TAG), which leads the business’ approach to driving inclusivity internally and within the wider legal profession, opened proceedings and welcomed guests.
The evening’s organisers, Pride in Leadership, work to elevate, connect and support LGBTQ+ business leaders through events, workshops, personal development programmes and in-company training initiatives.
Bev Craig, Manchester City Council leader, said: “To have so many ambitious LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and business leaders under one roof is representative of Manchester as a progressive and inclusive city. These leaders have found and created the opportunities that took them to where they are today.
“It’s important that we recognise our responsibility in leadership to create the same opportunities to support young LGBTQ+ people, who continue to face barriers in the community. Our excellent hosts Pride In Leadership and Brabners put on a fantastic evening of meaningful conversation about how to create a fairer, more inclusive city for all”
Steven Appleton, partner at Brabners, said: “It’s clear that all of us share the same goal of creating inclusive cultures in our respective industries, where no one feels that they must hide who they are in order to be successful. Stories like Bev Craig’s, and those of our friends and allies in attendance, can be powerful in inspiring the next generation of LGBTQ+ business leaders.”
Claire Ebrey, founder of Pride in Leadership, said: “Pride in Leadership works to elevate, connect and support LGBTQ+ leaders, and make them more visible. Hearing from Bev, an LGBT leader in one of the most senior roles in our region, was hugely inspirational for our members.”
Brabners’ approach to LGBTQ+ issues, led by its TAG, was recognised last month at the Manchester Legal Awards – with the firm taking home CSR Champions of the Year.
