“You can’t be what you can’t see.”
As David Ward, Associate and former Co-Chair of GatenbySanderson’s LGBTQ+ Affinity Group, puts it, visibility remains a powerful driver of inclusion and progress.
At GatenbySanderson, Pride Month is both a moment to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities and a time to reflect on the ongoing work required to build truly inclusive organisations across the public sector, education and not-for-profit space.
What is the Pride in Leadership Series?
The Pride in Leadership series brings together senior leaders, board members and LGBTQ+ voices to share insights on leadership, inclusion and organisational change.
Across 2024-2026, our interviews explore:
- Career journeys and lived experiences of LGBTQ+ leaders
- Leadership visibility and representation
- Barriers, challenges and strategies for inclusion
- How organisations are embedding diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in practice
- Real leadership decisions where inclusion is tested under pressure
Our aim:
To provide practical leadership insights that inspire action, strengthen governance, and support more inclusive leadership at every level.
Pride in Leadership 2026: Moments That Matter
In 2026, the series evolves. Our theme: “Moments That Matter: Leadership Decisions on Inclusion”, shifts the focus from personal storytelling to real-world leadership decision-making.
This year, we explore:
- How leaders balance inclusion with operational and financial pressures
- The role of boards and executive teams in accountability
- What happens when inclusion is challenged or deprioritised
- The systems and governance that enable or hinder inclusive leadership
New interviews for 2026 will be released throughout Pride Month.
Pride in Leadership Interviews 2025
Our 2025 series featured a diverse range of senior executives, public sector leaders and community voices, sharing personal experiences and leadership insights:
- Steve Russell, Chief Delivery Officer & National Director for Vaccination & Screening, NHS
- Sharmila Kar, Joint Director – Equality & Engagement (Manchester Locality/Manchester City Council)
- Professor Ken Sloan, Vice Chancellor, Harper Adams University
- James Doble, Chair of LGBTQ+ network at Stoke-on-Trent City Council
- Nick Crofts, Chair of Wythenshawe Community Housing Group
- Catherine Dixon, CEO, and Chair – Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Stonewall
- Craig Jones MBE, Chair of Fighting with Pride
- Ayla Holdom, Helicopter Pilot for the National Police Air Service
Plus: An exclusive Local Government Leaders Podcast episode with Sharmila Kar.
These conversations highlighted visibility, resilience and leadership authenticity, alongside practical approaches to fostering inclusive organisations.
Pride in Leadership Interviews 2024
Our 2024 series brought together leaders from across governance, public service and professional sectors, offering perspectives on inclusion, leadership and systemic change:
- Robbie Turner, Director of Inclusion and Diversity at RIBA
- Lee Marshall, Chief of Staff of the Church of England Pensions Board
- David Ward, co-chair of our LGBTQ+ Affinity Group at GatenbySanderson
- Katherine O’Donnell, co-chair of our LGBTQ+ Affinity Group at GatenbySanderson
- Peter Molyneux, Chair of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- David Blackburn, Chief People Officer at the Financial Services Compensation Scheme
- Craig Beaumont, Chief of External Affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses.
- Dr Neil Bentley Gockmann OBE, CEO WorldSkills UK.
- Wanda Goldwag, Chair of the Financial Services Consumer Panel
- Iain Anderson, Non-Executive at The University of St Andrews and Innovate Finance
- Ian Adams, Director of Membership & Stakeholder Engagement at NHS Resolution
- Rob Krzyszowski, Assistant Director, Planning, Building Standards & Sustainability at Haringey Council
- Dr Ann Limb, CBE, Chair of The UK Innovation Corridor and the Scouts
- Lisa Wainwright MBE, CEO, Sport and Recreation Alliance
- Jan Gooding, experienced NED, coach, speaker and columnist
- Dinesh Bhugra, Emeritus Professor of Mental Health and Cultural Diversity at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London.
Please note: Roles and organisations may have changed since publication.
Why LGBTQ+ Leadership Visibility Still Matters
The message behind this series remains clear: representation alone is not enough, but it is a critical starting point. By sharing real leadership experiences, we aim to:
- Increase visibility of LGBTQ+ leaders at executive and board level
- Provide practical guidance for embedding inclusion into leadership and governance
- Encourage organisations to move from intention to action
- Highlight where systems, not individuals, need to change
Key Leadership Insights from the Series
Across all interviews, several key themes consistently emerge:
- Inclusive leadership is a daily practice, not a one-off initiative
- Systems, governance and accountability drive real change
- Leadership visibility must be matched with action
- Boards play a critical role in sustaining inclusion under pressure
- Diverse perspectives lead to better decision-making and outcomes
About GatenbySanderson
GatenbySanderson is a leading executive search and leadership advisory firm, working with organisations, executives and boards to build inclusive, high-performing leadership teams across Education, Not for Profitand Public Sectors.