Network Buzz Issue 3

BUZZ ISSUE 3 | March 2015

www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk

COVER STAR

EY SIKH NETWORK

2015

A network that’s taking network events to the next level

We reveal your 40 Awesome Networks

NICKY MORGAN MP

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We talk networks with the Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities

RBS Focused Women’s Network | Darcy Oake | She Inspires Me |

HEATHER PEACE

Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service ‘Firepride’ |

We chat to Heather about her new ‘Little Bird’ tour

Stonewall Equality Walk | Nicholas McCarthy | Network Eye | + much more

Presented by

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Network Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk

BUZZ The UK’s first magazine for

Network Groups

4|

Introduction

5 |

What we’ve been up to

6-9 |

Introducing : EY Sikh Network

10-11 |

Interview : Nicky Morgan MP

12 |

Interview : Nicholas McCarthy

14-15 |

Cheshire Fire & Rescue

35-38 21-23 Service, Firepride Network

14-15

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32-33 28-29 JOIN OUR MAILING LIST AND KEEP UPDATED ON OUR EVENTS, PUBLICATIONS, NEWS AND COMPETITIONS. REGISTER AT www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk

16 |

Coming soon

17-19 |

She Inspires Me

21-23 |

RBS Focused Women’s Network

25 |

Get involved

26-27 |

Stonewall Equality Walk

28-29 |

Interview : Darcy Oake

30-31 |

Network Eye

32-33 |

Alex Gwynne : Networks

35-38 |

Interview : Heather Peace

40-42 |

Awesome Networks 2015

43 |

Entertainment features

Network Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk | 4

Editor & Chief Executive Thomas Anderson @thomasinmanc thomas@inclusivenetworksuk.co.uk Advertising info@inclusivenetworksuk.co.uk Inclusive Networks & OUT in the UK logos Designers Up North www.designersupnorth.com Cover Photo Amit & Naroop Contributors Thank you to everyone that spared the time to contribute to our third edition. It wouldn’t have all been possible without this incredible support. Big thanks to my partner Matthew for his continued support.

PROUD SPONSOR

20TH JUNE www.portsmouthpride.co.uk

disclaimer

Welcome to Network Buzz A warm welcome to all of our 'Friends of Inclusive Networks', we're delighted to have you with us.

It's been non-stop at Inclusive Networks HQ since the last issue of Network Buzz. I’ve met so many fantastic networks all over the UK, each at different stages of their journey, but each doing great things to support inclusion in the workplace and beyond.

I was personally thrilled with the positive reaction from the announcement of our inaugural Awesome Networks on 12th February and the emails and calls I received from network leads saying how the news had increased their profile internally and encouraged more support for their work really made it all the more special. There were over 1500 individual RT's on Twitter following the announcement and coverage by the likes of East Midlands News, We Are The City, Co-operative News and Huddled. It was also fantastic to see many of the organisations the networks represent publish the news on their corporate websites, showing real pride in their networks. These included Ogilvy & Mather, UK Parliament and Leicestershire Police. Big congratulations again to all of the networks

featured. To find out how you can nominate your network, and to view the list of Awesome Networks, see pages 40 - 42.

February was LGBT History Month which is always an active month for network group events and community initiatives. Thank you to everyone who supported the month and helped raise awareness of the journey to the point we’re at now, and the many challenges still facing lots of LGBT people changing the hearts and minds of many people is going to take a bit of time!

March sees us all come together to celebrate International Women’s Day, held on 8th March each year.

EY have recently announced that at the current rate, it will take almost 80 years to achieve global gender parity.

They said: “Accelerating women’s advancement is not just a fairness argument; it’s also an economic imperative that creates higher growth, increased prosperity and stronger communities.”

We’re busy planning our very own Inclusive Networks events and the very first awards dedicated to network groups of all diversity strands and sectors, the Inclusive Networks Awards - taking

place on 19th November at Band on the Wall in Manchester. We can't wait to share more info about both with you all. Nominations for the awards are open now!

This issue is one of our most diverse yet and features many great contributions and features. We find out more about three awesome networks and they share lots of top tips and advice, hopefully you’ll find some of this useful.

We have lots of fantastic advertising and sponsorship opportunities available that we think offer amazing value for investment and also support sustaining and developing our work. If you'd like to know more, please get in touch.

Please also get in touch if you’d like to share your work, or need any support developing or getting your network off the ground.

Together we can achieve so much more.

Thomas Anderson

Network Buzz Editor & Founder & Chief Executive of Inclusive Networks and George House Trust Ambassador

WWW | www.facebook.com/inclusivenetworks & /OUTintheUK | @IncNetworks | @OUTintheUK | @NetworkBuzzMag | info@inclusivenetworksuk.co.uk | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk

Let’s stay connected

©2015 OUT in the UK Ltd registered in England and Wales no. 08975724 All rights reserved. Material is strictly copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from OUT in the UK Ltd is forbidden. We’ve taken great care to ensure the accuracy of the information in this magazine but we cannot accept responsibility for omissions or errors. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of OUT in the UK Ltd. Images included of people do not indicate their sexuality.

EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION

5 | Network

Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk

Some highlights since our last issue

We’ve only gone and won a gold award

We have a date and venue for our awards

We found out on 4th March that our website had been awarded a ‘Gold Website Award’ by Mumpreneur UK. Our website was considered by three professionals within the online industry who marked the site based on a range of criteria. On adding the scores together, we're delighted to have won a Gold Website Award.

Websites can also receive the Bronze and Silver Website Award.

Thomas Anderson, Founder and Chief Executive of Inclusive Networks said:

We're delighted to announce that our inaugural Inclusive Networks Awards reception will take place on the evening of Thursday 19th November at the iconic Band on the Wall venue in Manchester. Band on the Wall is a not-for-profit venue run by registered charity Inner City Music. We're happy to be supporting the venue and we hope you'll be joining us at this very special event. A limited number of tickets will go on sale soon. To register your interest in tickets, costing only £80 per ticket, please email us at

“What a surprise to find the notification in my inbox. We’re a! rea!y proud of our website and excited about the upcoming developments too.

The website was only launched at the end of October 2014 so to receive the award so early in to our journey makes us very happy and very proud. Big thanks to a! of our contributors and to Matt at our design agency Designers Up North for the great work setting the website up to our very tight brief. I hope you’re a! enjoying the regular and original content. The best is yet to come!

Thank you to Mumpreneur UK for the recognitions, it means a lot.”

info@inclusivenetworksuk.co.uk Nominations for the fourteen categories close on 5th July. For more info, sponsorship info and to nominate, visit www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk/ awards/

8,800+ Twitter followers.

Follow us and join in the conversations at @IncNetworks , @OUTintheUK & @NetworkBuzzMag

Watch out for our first ever Awesome Network event In collaboration with charity Action for Children, we’re developing our very first Awesome Networks events, where the panel of speakers will be made up of representatives from our fantastic Awesome Networks. The first event will be held in London in the first week in May. We’re still working on the detail but it’s shaping up to be a great, and different event! Spaces will be very limited, register your space by emailing us at

info@inclusivenetworksuk.co.uk In other, related news, our Chief Executive, Thomas Anderson, was delighted to be asked to appear in the March edition of the Action for Children LGBT network, Celebrate, newsletter. It really is a great network group publication. Well done to the team coordinating the network. You’re doing a great job!

March 2015 | Network Buzz | 6

INTRODUCING

EY SIKH NETWORK @EYSikhNetwork

EY has a strong commitment to bringing together the right teams for clients from across the global organisation. Diversity & Inclusiveness is a key factor to ensuring differences are celebrated and everyone’s voice is heard and valued.

Here Co-lead of the EY Sikh Network, Indy Hothi, tells us more about the Sikh Network at EY and its initiatives.

7 | Network

Buzz | March 2015

Amarjit Singh

Partner sponsor of the EY Sikh Network.

This photo was taken exclusively for the SINGH Project exhibition that was hosted by the EY Sikh Network

Our history The EY Sikh Network (EYSN) was setup in 2011 as a part of EY’s interfaith network and wider commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Its aim was to provide a forum where anyone can openly discuss issues that they face, a route to leadership, and a platform to raise awareness of the Sikh faith.

We have grown considerably to become the largest corporate Sikh network within the City of London. The Network started with approximately 50 members and now we stand at over 300 internal members and c. 700 external members.

Our aim As mentioned above, the aim of EYSN is to raise awareness of the Sikh faith within the corporate environment. In order to do this, the EY Sikh Network focuses on three distinct areas, which we feel really add value to the EY community:

Education This fits in with the overall objective of raising awareness of Sikhism given the unique physical appearance of practicing Sikhs (e.g the turban and the beard). This

quickly made an impact with employees in the firm and also nationally with external Sikh organisations supporting the work we have done.

The Arts Sikhism has a strong link to the arts dating back 500 years, including a variety of mediums. EYSN believes art transcends human barriers such as ethnicity and gender and helps to provide an inclusive viewpoint of the world. EY shares our passion and has been supporting the arts for over 20 years, sponsoring some of the most successful art exhibitions in the UK, most recently the Late Turner Exhibition at Tate Britain.

The network has been sponsored since its launch by Amarjit Singh, who is a partner at EY. His support, guidance and advice has been absolutely invaluable.

Graduate recruitment EYSN members noticed that there was a lack of support in relation to graduate programmes and interview workshops for students from minority backgrounds, or the first generation of their family to go to university. The EYSN now runs a number of ‘Graduate Insight’ days for students at university who are considering a career in the financial services sector, where we try to inform students about the application process.

Find out more about careers at EY by visiting www.ey.com/UK/en/careers

Network Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk | 8

Our events

How do we make the network visible within the organisation?

To commemorate the Sikh festivities of Vaisakhi, which is essentially the New Year in Sikhism, the EYSN hosted the ‘Turbanology’ exhibition which was a week long event exploring the concept of meditation, history of the turban and Sikh contribution to the UK economy. It included talks from prominent British Sikh business leaders and a keynote speech by Dr. Vince Cable MP. The EYSN also hosted the ‘SINGH Project’ art exhibition, which aimed to capture the diversity of British Sikh men through two prominent symbols, the turban and beard.

The exhibition was on view at our offices in London Bridge for one week and subsequently we held a presentation exploring the inception, development and execution of the 'SINGH Project' from the creators, Amit and Naroop. The exhibition received wide acclaim and was featured in the Huffington Post, The Independent and The Wall Street Journal.

The EYSN developed a course with a British charity that has allowed attendees to learn the basics of Sikh history, musicology, philosophy and spirituality over the course of a few months, this course is now available online.

EYSN also maintains strong relations with other faith networks at EY, as we hosted an interfaith evening of musical meditation. The event featured a mix of eastern sounds with live performances including Qawwali from a Sufi artist, mantras from the Vedic tradition and Sikh Kirtan.

Support from EY EY have been absolutely tremendous in supporting the EYSN; the firm is committed to supporting diversity and inclusiveness (D&I) initiatives. Networks at EY have support from leadership and dedicated D&I colleagues who are always on hand to provide practical support. The network has been sponsored since its launch by Amarjit Singh who is a partner

In order to make ourselves visible within the firm, EYSN has a detailed communications plan which covers a number of avenues, notably communications to EY Partners, employees and wider D&I networks.

We at the network also create a detailed roadmap of events and content every year, which is then shared with senior leadership at EY to gain support and guidance throughout.

The awesome Co-leads of the network, Indy Hothi and Anisha Seth.

We at the network also create a detailed roadmap of events and content every year, which is then shared with senior leadership at EY to gain support and guidance throughout.

at EY, his support, guidance and advice has been absolutely invaluable. I now have the pleasure of a colleague and great friend, Anisha Seth joining me as Co-lead of the network during 2015. Tim Jarman, a D&I Director at EY, also deserves a special mention for all the advice and ongoing support.

With regards to internal communications, this comes through intranet, posters in communal areas and monthly email newsletters from the network which detail upcoming events and ways to get involved.

EY also produces a quarterly D&I newsletter, which is sent to all employees within the UK firm, this shares upcoming events between all networks and also recent news. This really allows us to raise awareness of the EY Sikh Network’s activities and involve all of our colleagues.

Personal impact For me, EYSN has been a great way to meet employees across EY and more importantly as my involvement has grown, I have had the opportunity to make some amazing friends. It has given me a deeper appreciation of EY’s approach to diversity and inclusiveness. The key for me really has been the inclusive culture which EY foster where everyone is valued and we are able to bring our differences to work each day. This encourages me to contribute my personal best in each and every endeavour.

It was announced on 12th February that the EY Sikh Network was one of our forty inaugural Awesome Networks - see pages 40-42 for the full list.

On hearing the news, Amarjit Singh, Partner Sponsor of the EY Sikh Network said:

“EY has made a public commitment to increase the diversity in its senior ranks. Our UK and Ireland Regional business aims to have 30% female and 10% BME representation in our new partner intake, measured over a rolling three year period. The EY Sikh Network is proud to help the firm achieve this aim and are honoured to receive this award.”

2015

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Network Buzz | March 2015

Chaz Fliy

Creative Director.

One of the exhibits in ject the fantastic SINGH Pro exhibition.

Watch out for our article about the exhibition at k w.inclusivenetworks.co.u

ww

Photo credit : Amit & Naroop www.amitandnaroop.com

Network Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk | 10

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Nicky Morgan MP Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities

What role does the education system in the UK have on educating children to understand and embrace peoples differences?

It is vital that all pupils leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain – and teachers have a key role to play in ensuring this happens. Fundamental to this is encouraging pupils to respect other people’s personal circumstances, backgrounds, beliefs and origins. This can be done through Citizenship and PSHE lessons, but I feel it is best done when respect and tolerance permeate all aspects of school life, from the classroom to the playground. It is not the job of schools alone, however, as parents have an equally important role to play and some of the best schools are already actively involving parents in this work.

How important is it that schools are visible in their support for key diversity days and share these days with pupils – increasing knowledge and understanding of different cultures and communities?

This kind of bullying affects everyone, not just those who identify as LGBT – anyone who is seen as different can be subjected to intimidating and distressing abuse. I am encouraged by the efforts of schools across the country in tackling homophobia and transphobia. Diversity days can help to support those who feel marginalised, and the best schools already tackle these issues as part of their curriculum. In Government we have taken steps to ensure more young people can grow up free from this kind of bullying, including a £2 million package to help charities develop strategies with schools to tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying. We are also providing £4 million to tackle other kinds of bullying, including £1.5 million for those who are bullied because they have special educational needs or disabilities.

Interview by Thomas Anderson

“We know that bullying doesn’t just make young people unhappy, but has a very real impact on their attainment and achievement at school, and in some cases has real consequences for young people’s mental health.”

Bullying is still a big issue in society and in schools. We know that bullying has a devastating and lasting impact on many people. What message would you give to someone being bullied and what role do schools have in creating cultures where reporting bullying, and being clear it is not acceptable and dealing with it effectively, is encouraged?

We know that bullying is decreasing, but parents across the country – including me – feel that even one child bullied is one too many. No child should arrive at school with the fear that they may be abused, assaulted or mocked. We know that bullying doesn’t just make young people unhappy, but has a very real impact on their attainment and achievement at school, and in some cases has real consequences for young people’s mental health. My message to anyone being bullied is that help is out there and that parents, teachers and charities can all stop you being bullied. We have given schools and charities the funding and the tools to help pupils and they are doing an excellent job, but we parents know that we cannot be complacent until every one of our children are safe and happy in, and out, of school.

11 | Network

Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk

Nicky Morgan

How important is it to have visible diverse role models (in schools, media and beyond) from all walks of life and backgrounds?

It’s important to find positive role models wherever you can – we all need something to aspire to. Role models can be found in all areas, have a range of backgrounds, and provide a great variety of different experiences. Role models help us achieve things that we never thought were possible, leading to greater diversity in all areas of life. This is good for the economy, and good for our society as a whole.

Did you have a role model growing up and what impact have they had on your life?

I was very lucky growing up – I was surrounded by strong role models. My headmistress gave us all the message that nothing should hold you back, and how important it is to find something you care about. It is vital that no one allows themselves to be held back by stereotypes and is able to develop their own unique talents.

Network Groups are a big part of lots of people’s lives, offering a space and opportunities to meet other people, share experiences, offer encouragement, develop and learn new skills. How important do you think networks are and do you have any experience being a part of a network group or attending network group or networking events?

We know that networks are important – we’ve seen how the ‘old boys’ network’ used to dominate the workplace at senior levels. Luckily, things are now changing and there is much more diversity in the world of work.

However, there is still a lot of benefit from both formal and informal networks. Groups like Everywoman, City Women’s Network, and local Chambers of Commerce can provide valuable networking and support to women in work.

Many employers have internal employee network groups who support creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they can bring their full self to work. What message would you give to the dedicated individuals who support network groups and do you think employers should reward and recognise their work?

It’s clear that network groups can make a very real contribution to the workplace, helping create a culture which values diversity and attracts the best talent. It is of course up to individual firms how they recognise the work that network groups do, both inside and outside of the organisation, but I would certainly encourage any company to reward staff who give something back to the workplace and their communities.

@NickyMorgan01

“It’s clear that network groups can make a very real contribution to the workplace, helping create a culture which values diversity and attracts the best talent.”

Quick Question

Sanjay Sood-Smith, The Apprentice 2014 Will you be voting in the upcoming general election?

I’ve voted in every election that I’ve been old enough to do so and this one will be no different. You often hear people whinge about the way the country is run, but how many of those people actually bothered to show up and vote? We are lucky to live in a democracy so it’s important that we have our voices heard. I’m terrified by the rise in support for UKIP – I wonder if people would still think that their vote wouldn’t have made a difference if they got into power. The decisions the government makes and the policies it employs affect each and every one of us on a daily basis, it’s down to us to help inform those decisions where we can and the first step to doing that is by voting. There’s no political party that I agree 100% with on everything, but I also believe that indecision is not a decision so I need to back the one I agree with the most.

Read our fu! interview with Sanjay in the next issue of Network Buzz - published in April.

Network Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk | 12

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THE AMAZING ONE HANDED PIANO PLAYER I then started to self teach as I didn’t really know anything about music at this point. I self taught myself to read music and play certain pieces and then the moment that sticks in my mind was one day when I was up in my bedroom playing on my keyboard, practicing away, and my dad shouted up, ‘Oh Nick, turn the radio off’, as I used to listen to Classic FM a lot as I love classical music. I then shouted down to him, ‘Dad, it’s not the radio, it’s me’, and there was this complete silence downstairs. Then the next minute they were like, ‘Do you want private piano lessons?’. For them, that was the first time they actually thought I was really good at playing. Then I had piano lessons and that’s where it really started for me.

Nicholas McCarthy @NMcCarthyPiano

You only started to play when you were 14 years old, a bit of a late starter

I did. When you’re growing up in school you kind of have an idea of what you’d like to do as a career but that changes every week. One week I wanted to be a Chef and that’s what I kind of settled on.

Around the age of 14 I was like, ‘I want to be a Chef and that’s what I’m going to do’. I love cooking, I love eating even more. That’s what I wanted to do. Then I saw a friend playing piano and she was very good, and I just had one of those epiphany moments when I just absolutely fell in love with the piano as an instrument, the sound of the piano with the music, everything about it. It was one of those moments when I very naively at the age of 14 decided I wanted to become a concert pianist.

Were you encouraged by your family?

I have my parents to thank for encouraging me. They’ve always been hugely supportive no matter what I’ve wanted to do. I’ve always been able to count on them. I remember going home and saying to them that I wanted to become a concert pianist and they probably thought nothing of it, as I mentioned earlier when you’re that age your job aspirations change daily. At that age you’re trying different things out and you’re kind of preparing for your exams in the future but you have an idea of where you want to go. I then said I wanted a piano, and they’re obviously not cheap, so I got given a normal keyboard. I think they got it from Argos or somewhere.

They’re great fun to have.

“Oh Nick, turn the radio off ” What about music lessons at school

Well, I went to a very normal, and at the time a pretty bad school. It has certainly got better now. When I went there it had a really bad reputation and the teaching wasn’t great. I did have a good music teacher but at school the music lessons are very broad and they don’t focus on piano, or on violin…..they have to be hugely broad. I don’t remember learning much from my general music lessons and I didn’t take music at GCSE which I’m sure I would have learnt a lot more from.

So I don’t really attribute anything to my schooling. This is why I am so passionate about my education work. I do a huge amount of education work, going in to schools, a great range of schools. I go in to a lot of more wealthy private schools but I also really love going in to the

schools that I’m more used to, like the rough Comprehensive around the corner kind of thing – that’s more where I’m from and what I’m used to. I go in to the schools and give an inspiration talk and performance and I like to show the kids that if I’ve managed to carve a career out for myself with all the odds stacked against me then they can do it, whether it’s in music or not – it really doesn’t matter. My message is very transferable.

This is a part of my job that I absolutely love doing. I think I’ve done this as I feel especially in this country that the music education system isn’t great at all. I know there have been lots of reforms and stuff regarding music education but I think there is still a long way to go.

When did you realise you could turn your passion in to a career?

When I was accepted in to the Royal College of Music, because I was one of only nine pianists from all around the world. Thousands auditioned from China, Russia, Japan, Europe, all over the world.

To be one of the nine selected made me think I’m competing with the big boys now and I’m just little Nicholas McCarthy from a small village in Surrey. I’m now in London, competing with Russian pianists who have been competing in and winning major competitions all around the world for years and they’re there studying alongside you. It’s a hugely competitive place. I think this made me think, well if they’ve accepted me then I have to now convince the rest of the classical world, which is a tricky world to convince, that I am worthy of hearing. The industry is a particularly hard industry to crack, even trickier than the general music industry.

There’s this elitist feel to it which is very difficult to break and it’s kind of controlled by an older generation of people. Luckily there’s new younger blood coming in now which is great. It’s such a small world too and everyone knows everybody, unlike the pop world where you can almost get away with more. One foot out of line in the classical industry and it almost ‘that’s your lot’.

I was about 19 when I realised that with a lot of hard work and a lot of educating people about my music that I could make a career out of it.

Read the full interview at www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk/features/ nicholas-mccarthy/

Keep updated with Nicholas’ live dates and news at nicholasmccarthy.co.uk

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Network Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk | 14

Following the news that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) network at Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service, Firepride, were one of our inaugural Awesome Networks, the Chair of the network, Matt Maguire, lets us know more about the network and their work.

Inclusion is a long standing priority for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. Nationally and locally, the fire sector has worked for over ten years to improve the diversity of its workforce and the way it engages with the community.

Drives to encourage more female and black and minority ethnic (BME) staff into the Service were relatively successful, until many Services froze their recruitment after the financial crisis hit.

However, the focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) staff remained something of a taboo until more recently.

Joining the organisation eleven years ago when I was in the closet to most people, I was struck by a lack of visible LGBT role models, which meant the organisation just didn’t know how to have conversations about ‘gay’ issues – either internally, or with the community.

Over time I came out to selected people at work who were supportive, but overall the culture still couldn’t decide how to approach the LGBT question. In 2010 I was ‘coerced’ by our equalities officer, Erin Fulton, to take on the LGBT

Champion role after I’d expressed one opinion too many about how things could be done!

We immediately set about reviving and re-launching our staff network by speaking directly to the small number of out LGBT staff we had and taking their ideas on board.

“While Pride events do not represent the gay community in its entirety, the impact of the colourful atmosphere is never lost on members of staff attending for the first time and many go on to become allies themselves or are driven to find out more, creating a positive feedback loop.”

Celebrating their 2015 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index success

15 | Network Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk Together, LGBT colleagues devised a new identity, which included our iconic pink fire engine logo, Firepride name and a clear plan for what we wanted to achieve, which fed into and supported the organisation’s objectives.

colourful atmosphere is never lost on members of staff attending for the first time and many go on to become allies themselves or are driven to find out more, creating a positive feedback loop.

We talked directly to members of staff who questioned why we were investing in what they saw as a peripheral issue – and had some challenging but ultimately positive conversations that helped us to tailor our messages and approach.

One of the best ways of demonstrating the value of our equality work is to quantify our successes and benchmarking ourselves against others fire and rescue services and partner organisations.

From the beginning we’ve had senior buy-in.

Our Chief Fire Officer, Paul Hancock, in particular was and remains passionate about supporting and encouraging an open workplace culture, with a strong team ethos. In an emergency service, where your life is often in your colleagues’ hands this probably comes as no surprise.

Face to face conversations and hearing real stories remain the most important and successful way in which we’ve made a difference – recruiting informal leaders and unofficial champions to promote our messages as straight allies and champions.

As a network, we have used digital and social media extensively to promote key messages and we focus on visible symbols to engage our workforce and communities. In an emergency service, with a variety of crewing and shift patterns getting together as a network is never simple, so other means of communicating have to be used.

As a public-facing organisation, Community events like Pride have been an effective way to change perceptions of the Service within the LGBT community.

Our genuine sparkly pink fire engine always draws large crowds and its vivid safety messages create conversations and help break down barriers.

This is important because smoke does discriminate and there are real fire and community safety risks for LGBT people related to isolation in older age, alcohol and drug use and mental health issues. However, engagement with the LGBT community helps us to break down the traditional unwillingness of many LGBT people engage with a ‘macho’ organisation like the fire service.

Our attendance always includes Firepride members and allies, as well as operational and support staff from across Cheshire. In 2015, we’ll be out in force at Pride events in Chester, Manchester and in Warrington – come and say hello!

While Pride events do not represent the gay community in its entirety, the impact of the

We were the first fire and rescue service to be awarded Excellent status under the Fire and Rescue Equality Framework and we have featured in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index Top 100 for the last three years – in 2015 we were the best performing emergency service at no.31.

We don’t enter the Stonewall Index to tick boxes, we actively use it to help us improve and refine our services. The feedback we receive each year helps us to develop a gap analysis and feeds our LGBT staff network’s annual plan.

Our extensive workplace monitoring covers our workforce and service delivery activities. As our resources reduce, monitoring has allowed us to ensure we continue to target and focus on the most vulnerable in our community and that we’re meeting the needs of our greatest resource – our people.

Supporting Stonewall’s No Bystanders campaign

“As a network, we have used digital and social media extensively to promote key messages and we focus on visible symbols to engage our workforce and communities.”

The work we’ve invested in this agenda has seen our disclosure rates increase and membership of the staff network go up – despite a near-freeze on recruitment. This proves that we are winning hearts and minds and improving the culture and perception of the organisation. However, there is still more to do.

We remain an overwhelmingly male organisation, and while our long term aim is to increase our diversity, the current workforce and culture means that unlike many sectors the number of out gay males is low compared to gay females - and the number of out bisexual people is lower still.

With our solid foundations and raft of champions and allies, we know that we can make progress. Our leaders are determined to keep diversity at the top of the agenda and to share our success with others in the fire sector – being an Awesome Network can’t help but aid us in that work, so watch this space!

Visible senior support

“With our solid foundations and raft of champions and allies, we know that we can make progress.”

The Inclusive Networks team would like to congratulate Matt for being awarded the Positive Role Model award at the North West England Stonewall Awards in January 2015. Well done! www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/Jobs | @CheshireFire | @MattJMaguire

Network Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk | 16

NEXT ISSUE A SPECIAL BITE-SIZE EDITION

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ISSUE 4 : PUBLISHED ON 8TH APRIL

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Network Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk

She inspires me

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We’ve been celebrating International Women’s Day It’s International Women’s Day on 8th March every year. We wanted to do something to celebrate the day and to engage with our contributors, network groups and followers so we decided to ask a question, and the responses have been very inspiring, and very interesting to read. What was the question you’re asking yourself. Well it was:

Is there a female that has played a big part in your life, been a big influence or inspiration on your career / life?

Over the next few pages many of our contributors share their female role models and the females who have helped shape their life and career with us. Mums are a popular choice!

“Tumblr features a LOT of cat content! Women’s rights and equality are also very popular issues with a huge vocal support network.”

Molly Aldrich-Wincer shares her latest blog, ‘Tumblr Feminism’, with us.

More about the day International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900's, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialised world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies. On the day, and in the week before and after, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements.

Read it at www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk #om 7th March 2015. www.internationalwomensday.com

If you’ve hosted an event or supported the day, we’d love to know about it. We may even feature it in Network Buzz!

Email us at info@inclusivenetworksuk.co.uk

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Aled Davies

Carol Decker

Paralympian and Discus World and European Record Holder

Singer and songwriter (T'Pau)

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Joe McElderry Singer and performer My mam has played a huge part in getting me to where I am today. She works a lot with me, she helps a lot with decisions that I need to make.

She’s been a huge inspirational woman in my life. I’ve got a lot of very inspirational women in my life.

I’ve got a big family of aunties on both sides, my mam and my dads side. There are a lot of very strong women in my family. I’m very lucky.

I’d have to say my mum. My father died a long time ago, in 1990, and she spent the rest of her life on her own, through her own choice. She had her ups and downs but despite a lot of ill health in her last ten years of life she was always such a positive and encouraging person and a wonderful mother and my number one fan. When I was younger and struggling to make it and get there, she never ever lost faith in me. If I ever lost faith in myself, she never did.

My mother is the reason I am who I am today. She has supported me from day one, providing me with every opportunity to ensure I was as happy as I could be and fulfilled my potential in life. I’ve also got an incredible girlfriend who supports me and she really does make me believe that behind every strong and successful man there is an even stronger and successful woman (or man).

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“She encouraged me in drama as well and brought out my performance side.”

Then going back to my early life I would say my English teacher Mrs Pilkington at school. She was also my drama teacher and she would encourage me in English, I was good at English and I think that feeds in to my job as a lyricist, I’m a bit of a poet if you like. She encouraged me in drama as well and brought out my performance side. I went to a girls Grammar School and I wasn’t particularly academic and I would spend a lot of time focussing on what I was crap at, like maths and stuff, but she saw what I was good at and she made me feel good about myself.

Chaz Singh Labour Councillor for Plymouth Drake Ward Oh yes there definitely is. I’ve always been told that behind every successful man there’s a woman.

Without her support and encouragement I would not be where I am now. She is my wife Saranjit Kaur and mother of two children – Amrit-Pali Kaur and KaranJeet Singh. She is also the former Deputy Lady Mayoress of Plymouth.

She was a huge support to me when I was the Deputy Lord Mayor.

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Siobhan Corria Head of Inclusion, Action for Children In terms of my career and interest in current affairs and world issues, I would say that Doreen Lawrence has been a big inspiration. Doreen Lawrence always springs to mind when I think of a woman with great determination, courage and the need to have justice. Although Doreen has experienced the loss of her child, she has never given up fighting for justice for him and this makes her a true inspiration for women throughout the world.

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Bright Light Bright Light Singer and songwriter Liz Goodwin. She works at Polydor. I met her when I played an open mic night in 2001 in London and she came and said hi, took a CD, and stayed in touch. She’s since become my best friend, and has worked TIRELESSLY on some of my favourite artists like Elbow and The Pierces.

I’ve never seen someone care so much about their work, and love what they do more. She’s the best person in the world. She’s given me so much advice and been a real shining star in some really dark times.

She never let me stop believing in myself and I owe so much of my confidence to her. If I hadn’t met her I don’t know if I’d be here.

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Martine Waltier

CeCe Peniston

Singer and contestant on The Voice 2015

Singer (of one of our favourite songs ever, 'Fina!y')

I would say that one of my main female influences apart from my mother, was my paternal grandmother, Bernadine. She lived in America which meant I had very little physical contact with her but regular phone calls and exchanging of letters allowed us to build a close long-distance relationship.

“Her strength inspired me and made me value living in an era where being a woman of mixed heritage is accepted” I would listen to stories of the troubles she had being in a mixed race relationship and how she coped with racism from both sides. Her strength inspired me and made me value living in an era where being a woman of mixed heritage is accepted. She was forward thinking, witty and strong-minded. Hopefully some of that has rubbed off on me!

Jules Quinn Founder of The TeaShed My mum. She is incredible. She would do and does do everything for me! I would not have The TeaShed without her. I am very very lucky to have her in my life and to have such a great bond with her.

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Read more ‘She Inspires Me’ contributions on our website. www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk/features/

I would have to pick my mom. My mom has been the best woman I have ever met in my life, and I’m not saying that just because she’s my mom. She has been my rock. She’s been very involved in my career and helped me make the right decisions.

She gets on to me and gives me the good, the bad and the indifferent, and she pushes me and gets excited when I’m excited. That’s what I love about her. She’s my hero.

Akie Kotabe Actor My mother. She passed away from ovarian cancer over ten years ago now, but her picture is above my wardrobe and all she had was love for me, no matter what. Her support and her choice to raise me and my brothers the way she did, inspires me – I’ll love her forever.

stonewall workplace conference 2015 breaking new ground Stonewall’s 12th annual flagship Workplace Conference in London, supported by EY is the must-attend event for everyone involved in the delivery of workplace equality and diversity. Go to stonewall.org.uk/wpc2015 to find out more and book your place.

Friday 17 April 2015, London SW1 stonewall.org.uk/wpc2015 Supported by

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RBS

I established the network together with the small group of women (volunteers from across the bank) in 2007. The link we had was we were passionate about developing the female talent pipeline and creating a voice that would be listened to by the business, for the business. At that time there were no other networks in RBS, so we had to work really hard to demonstrate the benefits to both our colleagues, who were members, the wider business and of course our clients, who many have supported us from the very beginning, by speaking at our business conferences and supporting us through many of the charities we work with. Today we have an established membership of circa 10,000 members globally in more than 30 countries, with 12 regional committees, working to attract, develop and retain female talent, all volunteers, who are passionate about living and working in a diverse community.

Why is a network like Focused Women needed?

It is the fact that financial services is still very male dominated especially at the senior level. With many talented women, feeling they don’t have the opportunities afforded to their male colleagues. You need a strong network to support you throughout your career

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By Heather Melville Director of Strategic Partnerships, RBS, and Founder and Global Chair of the Focused Women’s Network

Focused Women’s Network We'd love to know more about the history of the network and how it got started

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and many women feel that with family and other commitments, they don’t have the time to attend networking events. Focused Women provide the opportunities for our members to explore career paths within the Bank, we support them through a range of workshops and events to help them develop the confidence to apply for senior positions, meet senior female leaders, share experience, get support from male members through mentorship and coaching, continuously learn and develop, and most importantly – network and support each other. Diversity in general and gender diversity in particular lead to better understanding the needs of our clients, making sure together we are building the better bank, gaining trust and loyalty. Focused Women play an essential role in building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with our clients through personal development workshops, networking events and conferences.

What's the purpose of the network?

Our mission statement is to attract, develop and retain female talent within the organisation and beyond.

How do you engage with your members?

There are 12 regional committees globally and each committee delivers

tailored programmes of events for the members that respond to their local needs, based on feedback and global survey. There is a great variety of events, like personal development events, networking and client events, charity balls, self-defence and wellbeing workshops and many more. We have developed our Social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, so even our members who are on long term leave and don’t have access to the Bank systems can still stay touch and attend the events. We provide regular updates through newsletters, where we also acknowledge our valuable volunteers, without whom we couldn’t run the network so efficiently.

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Is the network accessible to all employees within RBS? Absolutely! Anyone working for RBS permanently or contracting can become a FW member, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive network.

How is the network coordinated?

There is a global committee as well as 12 regional committees, each having a chair or co-chairs and functional leads – personal development manager, communications manager, treasurer and CSR manager.

Do you have support from senior figures within RBS and how important do you think this visible support is?

Having the support of senior exec is critical to our success as it sends a clear message to everyone that the network is an integral part of how we communicate with our colleagues and the fact that we are serious about our female talent. Our headline event is Focused Women’s Week, which is a week of inspirational events, including clients, employees and senior executives from the bank. We have been privileged to have secured our Group Chairman, as well as NED’s and Divisional CEO’s. It’s usually at these events our members have the opportunity to meet and hear senior executives directly sharing their personal career journey as well as the important role that the network plays in fulfilling the gender agenda. Up until his retirement in December 2014, we were privileged to have the CEO of Corporate Banking, Chris Sullivan, as our Executive Sponsor. Today, our Executive Sponsor is Alison Rose, CEO Commercial and Private, who is also passionate about the attraction, development and retention of the female talent.

Do you have many visible senior female role models within RBS and do they engage with the network?

Senior female role models actively engage with the FWN, by supporting our events by sharing their personal

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experiences of balancing family life with a demanding job and participating in panels at our conferences. Many also provide personal mentoring and coaching sessions to our members.

Do you have a Role Model (s) and how important do you think Role Models are?

I have a few role models to name a few, my mother was a very inspirational person in my life, but then so is Oprah Winfrey! Fortunately throughout my career, I have worked for some great leaders, male and female, who have shown me the difference between being a manager and leader of people.

Without their support, I could never have set up such a huge network, run solely by volunteers. There is a special skill required to lead a team of people who are not paid employees and deliver such high quality initiatives, on top of their day to day responsibilities!

What do you enjoy most from being involved in the network?

The most enjoyable thing is to see the devotion and passion of our volunteers, how they grow and progress by giving their time and positive energy for the great cause – cultural change within the bank.

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Do you have a personal highlight?

Yes, I have couple of highlights to mention: Winner of the 2010 Champion for Women (Women in Banking & Finance) and being recognised in the Top 100 World of Difference Award 2013 (TIAW) Making a difference to the economic empowerment of Women.

“Having the support of senior exec is critical to our success as it sends a clear message to everyone that the network is an integral part of how we communicate with our colleagues and the fact that we are serious about our female talent.”

Connect with the network www.facebook.com/RBSFocusedwomensnetwork @RBS_FW Photo : An inclusive and informative Focused Women network event in action

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Do you think there are different challenges for women in the workplace?

There are different challenges for different individuals in the workplace. We are focusing on encouraging people to support each other, share experiences and knowledge, mentor and coach, help them to explore opportunities for public speaking, become visible and vocal, and boost the confidence. There are still a lot of stereotypes and biases, very often we create barriers ourselves, and our role is to inspire our members, both women and men, to break those barriers and flourish and enjoy what they do, fulfilling their potential.

Sometimes women need more support due to certain circumstances, like being pregnant, but many other issues are just created by ourselves, and both men and women would equally need advice, “push”, encouragement.

Heather shares her Top Tips 1.

Listen to your members through surveys and feedback collection. Respond to their needs, understand the impact and incorporate those in to the networks strategy.

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Build a team of volunteers who are passionate about diversity, who will be willing to make a difference, to face a challenge, and you are happy to empower them to deliver fantastic initiatives.

“It is the fact that financial services is still very male dominated especially at the senior level. With many talented women, feeling they don’t have the opportunities afforded to their male colleagues.”

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Create and deliver the strategy that includes corporate and social responsibility initiatives, involving the charities that employees are passionate about, as well as engaging with the clients.

What's next for the network?

To ensure the network remains sustainable and is fully integrated into the wider business. We want to be seen as a leader in the world of employee led networks and so our next key objective is to establish a Formal Advisor Board that will be made up of external and internal directors to ensure that we continue making a difference, so that RBS becomes the best place to work for and to work with.

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Make it fun and enjoy!

An extended version of this feature will be published at www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk week commencing 9th March 2015.

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“We had emails from Partners who didn’t want to come out because they worked in a small village and their mum works in the same branch.”

Abby Chicken (pictured) is Chair of ‘Pips’ (Pride in Partnership), the LGBT network at the John Lewis Partnership (includes Waitrose).

She’s also a Department Manager at their store on Oxford Street, London. She lets us know more about their awesome network.

Read the feature at www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk/features/pips/

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Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk

RBS

We’ve brought together a selection of upcoming diversity and celebration dates, as well as a special event that may be of interest to you, your employees and your network group members.

Getting involved Supporting diversity and inclusion

20th March

International Day of Happiness Let’s make each other smile

The day is a useful reminder that in general happiness does not necessarily come from buying and consuming, or from being famous or glamorous – but often from friends, family and emotional well being. So as the song goes, ‘Forget your troubles. Come on get happy.’

When a pe muscles rson is truly smil in th joyful. Yo at actually make g, it affects certa u in y 21st March when ce smile because y ou feel happy or ou rta International Day for the Elimination of even mo in muscles are h are happy and re h it, Racial Discrimination Smiling appy signals, or your brain sends endorph is awes Stand up to racial discrimination ins. ome.

"I call on all people, especially political, civic and religious leaders, to www.dayofhappiness.net @ActionHappiness

strongly condemn messages and ideas based on racism, racial superiority or hatred as well as those that incite racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance."

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations

Search online for events and initiatives in your area, or arrange your own!

Did you know?

Network Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk | 26

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By Reiko Murray Senior Events Officer Stonewall

As the warmer weather approaches, you may be looking for activities for your network to get involved with.

Each May, Stonewall - the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality charity – holds the fantastic annual Equality Walk.

Since 1989, Stonewall has helped campaign to achieve full legal protection for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the UK. But there's still lots to do to ensure that all workplaces, schools and neighbourhoods are safe and supportive to all people, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. You can help us change hearts and minds by signing up your

network as an Equality Walk team for the event in Brighton on 10 May. LGBT networks often take part in Prides to show support for their employees and the local community.

The Equality Walk is a different kind of community event because your team can make the experience their own and represent your organisation without the responsibility of a stall or equipment. Arrive early and enjoy a picnic together in the Pavilion Gardens, or get there just before and set off on the walk. Do the 10k or 3k route, walk at your own pace and even stop off for ice cream (or something stronger!) on the way.

A community event like the Equality Walk can be an LGBT awarenessraising tool within your organisation.

Fundraising for the event, with a cake sale for example, is an effective way

to open up dialogue around the importance of equality, both with LGBT allies or other diversity networks.

Stonewall's Equality Walk also makes for a great day out in beautiful Brighton & Hove. You'll have fun with colleagues and improve their workplace experience by offering a supportive environment to meet other members of the network. Many organisations invite participants to bring partners, parents, friends and children, enabling them to also get to know one another's external support networks in a relaxed and empowering setting. Spreading the word that you're taking part can also send a clear signal to employees who may be on their own journey, for example coming out at work.

Why not get your colleagues , friends & family involved!

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“This is the third year B3Living has put together a team to take part in the Equality Walk. The staff have always had a great day out, as well as getting some exercise and raising money for such a great cause. Other staff members tend to sponsor them and it raises a lot of awareness internally and externally, as we write about it in our resident newsletter. The team is made up of members of the LGBT network, straight allies, as well as lots of staff that aren’t in either group, alongside family and friends” - Claire Howe, B3Living Many networks from public, private and third sectors like to get involved. Sussex Police (pictured above), for example, have entered a team for many years. James Breeds told us, ‘The day is fantastic at highlighting the issues of discrimination and bullying for our LGBT communities whilst providing money to an inspirational charity’ and Equality and Diversity Officer, Keira Woodroofe, explained, ‘Sussex Police have taken pride in walking with Stonewall for the Brighton Equality Walk, particularly in 2014 when we reentered the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index Top 100.

We get involved to show our support for both our LGBT colleagues and the communities which we serve’.

This year, some fantastic organisations have partnered with the Equality Walk as Trailblazer, Hiking Hero and Striding Star teams. They’re all sending teams to proudly represent them and this is an opportunity your organisation can still get involved with.

The Walk is open to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. You'll enjoy live music, food, entertainment and more. Registration is £15 and children aged 12 and under can take part for free. You can register now at www.equalitywalk.org.uk

Hiking Heroes

Stonewall Equality Walk partner organisations and their networks: Trailblazers AXA Insurance and AXA Pride B3Living GSK and SPECTRUM (UK) L&Q and Spectrum Lend Lease and Lend Lease LGBT Europe ERG Societe Generale and their UK LGBT Network UBS and UBS Pride

BDO and Blend Berkshire Healthcare and Berkshire Healthcare NHS LGB&T staff network Enterprise Rent-A-Car and their LGBT Diversity Committee John Lewis Partnership and Pride in the Partnership Tower Hamlets Homes

Striding Stars Eversheds and Perspective Royal Holloway, University of London and RHUL LGBT Staff Network Sodexo and Pride UK & Ireland

Will your network be joining the list?

Check out the useful Diversity Calendar on our website at www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk/diversity-calendar/

ADVERTISE WITH US You can contact us at info@inclusivenetworksuk.co.uk or call our Editor Thomas Anderson on 07702 130 348.

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Interview by Thomas Anderson

Over 200 million worldwide viewers tuned in to Britain’s Got Talent to witness the birth of a phenomenon: the unveiling of an electrifying new illusionist, Darcy Oake. From sleight of hand to death-defying escapades, this master magician grabbed the world’s attention, ushering in an exciting new era of an age-old art form. We talk role models, his career and new tour.

When did you realise you could make a career from being an Illusionist?

I always believed I could make it a career and that was the vision I had. I just went for it.

Before Britain’s Got Talent I was doing a lot of cruise ships, on and off for two years. The cruise ships is a very interesting market as people aren’t really there to see you. You’re just the entertainment that’s on that night. You have to win over everyone. That makes it difficult to have a particular style as you have to appeal to everyone. Artistically, it then becomes very unsatisfying as you can’t sort of focus on furthering your brand as a performer, you’re essentially having to just make sure the passengers enjoy their time watching the show. Artistically, it felt like I had to move on as I was getting a bit lost at sea.

I know lots of guys who do the cruise ships, some who’ve done it for twenty years and that’s their livelihood, and that’s great, it’s good work, but for me. It wasn’t where I wanted to be artistically.

Before that, I was basically working wherever I could doing lots of spots in other peoples shows. I wasn’t saying no to any gig. I was taking whatever I could to make sure that’s what I was doing for my job.

I think you should try not to take the focus away from what you actually want to do.

I committed myself to illusion full time when I was like eighteen. Before this, as a kid, I had a couple of what you might call ‘real jobs’, 9-5 that I either quit or got fired from. I was literally the worlds worst employee as my focus was on developing my illusion career. Anything else was background noise. I’m very unemployable when it comes to a real job!

It was all or nothing for me and growing up people always used to ask me, ‘What’s your back up plan if it doesn’t work?’, as a kid people want you to have something to fall back on if things don’t work out.

But I was like, ‘No, it will work out. I’m going to put everything in to it.’. It’s amazing when you visualise something that unfolds.

Were you encouraged by your family to follow your dreams?

Completely, and I think that’s one of the factors why I never really stopped doing it. I’m sure there were certain times when my mom and my dad were like, ‘Is this gonna work?’, but it was never said to me.

But thinking back, I’m sure as a parent watching their child, they must have been concerned that my focus was in the right place. It was one of those things that deep down, I knew this was what I was going to do. I had to do. They were the most supportive parents and without that support I don’t know if I would be where I’m at now.

Did you have any role models growing up?

Do you know what’s interesting, since Britain’s Got Talent, basically everyone that I’ve looked up to in magic and performance, I’ve got to meet on a friend basis and not as a fan.

When Britain’s Got Talent unfolded, they reached out to me and were kind of like, ‘That’s fantastic, let’s get together’. It was amazing.

I’m a huge fan of Derren Brown, so to meet him was cool and I would call him a friend now. We chit chat here and there and stuff and he’s so cool and supportive.

I’ve had the same experience with David Blaine and Dynamo. There’s nothing worse than when you meet someone who you look up to and it’s a letdown. With these people, it was fantastic. That’s a lesson for me too and something I’ve taken away, when I see someone who’s coming up and having their shot at it I think it’s very important to be supportive of that person as opposed to feeling threatened. With magicians on a certain level, not these guys, they’re under the impression that another persons success directly impacts the level of success they can have - very insecure. There’s room for everyone!

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Following your own rise to fame, how does it feel to be considered a role model to other people?

It’s an interesting transition as it happened pretty quickly for me but I’ve always prided myself on just being accessible. I don’t want people feeling nervous coming up to me and asking for a photo.

It’s a hard thing to wrap your head around but it’s cool, I love it.

I don’t really see myself as a role model, I just try to be the best person that I can be and the fact that it’s on a public platform is something I have to take in to consideration all of the time.

“I was literally the worlds worst employee as my focus was on developing my illusion career. Anything else was background noise.”

Is there a female that has played a big part in your life, been a big influence on your career path or inspiration?

International Women’s Day is the best day of the year.

My mom for sure, 100%. It’s funny now, as every time I talk to her, which is fairly frequently, like every second day, I tell her like, ‘I’m off to Ireland’, and she’s like, ‘I’ve never been to Ireland’. She wants to go to lots of places I go to but I can’t do that all of the time. I bring her out if I’m at a place for an extended period of time.

My mom and my dad came out for Christmas to watch my ITV special when it aired, that was really cool. I didn’t tell them anything about the show and they wanted to see it. I saw the final edit like a week before it aired and they were like, ‘Let’s watch it’, but I was adamant they had to wait until the transmission. It was cool. It was Christmas time. It felt really good. It was all such an amazing experience and to great to have my parents there.

What can we expect from your upcoming UK tour, starting in September?

I didn’t want people to pay to come and see the show, only to see the same show as my ITV special. So, we’re taking a few bit from the ‘Edge of Reality’ TV show, but other than that, it’ll be a bunch of stuff people have never seen, and some I have never actually done before.

There will be lots of things that I’ve had in the memory bank for a while, and some things I’ve been working on, on and off, for a while. We have a real opportunity to now bring it all to life!

The way I try to approach each of my tour dates is like it’s a night when we’re all hanging out and I try to not take myself too seriously. I like to work in and create a fun environment. It’s my spin on a relatively traditional style of magic, the grand illusion. It’s going to be fun and I hope to see lots of you there.

Tour dat es & news darcyoake.c om Twitter @DarcyOa ke

“The thought of releasing my own album, something I invested myself emotionally in puts a smile on my face every time.”

Read our interview with Jermain Jackman, the winner of The Voice 2014, at www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk/ features/jermain-jackman/ Jermain’s debut album, ‘Jermain Jackman’, is released in the UK on 23rd March 2015.

Network Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk | 30

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Network Eye Networks doing great things

In Issue2 of Network Buzz we highlighted the inspiring and excellent work of lots of network groups all over the UK. We’re thrilled that lots of networks continue to respond to our open invitation for news and snippets for future issues.

January and February was a very active time for lots of networks with many key diversity and

awareness raising days falling, including LGBT History Month, World Cancer Awareness Month and Holocaust Memorial Day. Big thanks to everyone that submitted news and updates for this issue. Keep checking our website and follow us on Twitter for lots more network group related content. Well done to all of the active network groups who continue to support inclusion in the workplace and beyond. We’re seeing many incredible examples of innovation!

Keep them coming!

Email us your network news and updates to info@inclusivenetworksuk.co.uk

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Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk

OUTbound Transport for London What better birthday present could the LGBT network at Transport for London receive then their very own ‘Ride with Pride’ rainbow bus.

Well that’s what the network has received to celebrate their 10th Birthday. The bus is operating in London for the rest of the year. Check it out!

Martyn Loukes, Chair of OUTbound, said:

‘Fo!owing on #om the fantastic success of the rainbow crossing last year, we wanted to create a new LGBT icon for London. What could be more iconic than a big red bus with the rainbow flag emblazoned on it, celebrating diversity and ten years of our LGBT+ network at TfL. Hop on board and Ride with Pride.’

Connect on Twitter : @TflLGBT

Fab brandi ng!

It’s ver y on brand.

IN Brief More about you

The Women’s Network Vodafone UK The Vodafone UK Women’s network celebrated International Women’s Day with an engaging internal event.

The LGBT network at RBS, Rainbow, is celebrating ten years of creating rainbow magic. To celebrate, they’ve changed their social media logo to the one below, we love it. Follow them on Twitter at @RBS_Rainbow

EY have been tweeting lots of informative info, this one caught our eye 74% of women executives say a background in sport can help accelerate a woman’s career.

Network groups were out in force at the Student Pride careers fair at Westminster Uni on 28th February.

Organisations who were represented by their networks, many volunteering their day to do it, were Aviva, Tesco, EY, ASDA, IBM, Royal Navy, Fujitsu and BP. Watch out for our Student Pride article in the next issue!

Held on 4th March, the event was opened by the CEO of Vodafone UK, Jeroen Honecamp. She went on to say: ‘I want to create an environment that not only motivates but inspires'. There was also an inspiring speaker from MI5 who spoke to the packed room.

One attendee, Padraic Knox tweeted:

‘Informative and inspiring event by @VodafoneUK_WN for #IWD2015 . Rea!y enjoyed the speaker and Q&A. Looking fwd to next event!’

Connect on Twitter : @VodafoneUK_WN

Employers Stammering Network The worlds only employers stammering support network launched their very own Twitter account on 12th February, the day we announced they were one of our inaugural Awesome Networks. What an honour to be their first ever tweet too. Why not go and follow them!

Connect on Twitter : @stammering4work

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Understanding network groups and identities

By Alex Gwynne Client Account Manager Stonewall

As one of Stonewall’s Client Account Managers, I work with a number of organisations that each have their own network groups for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans staff.

From conversations that I have with these organisations (often with Diversity & Inclusion Managers or those in similar roles), it’s clear that the benefits of network groups for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) staff are not just for those individuals within the group but also for their colleagues and for the business in general.

The importance of network groups Network groups tend to begin as spaces to provide peerto-peer support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans staff.

They provide a safe space for employees, including those who may not yet be ‘out’ as a member of the LGBT community.

As these groups begin to grow, however, the momentum they gain can allow them to play a vital role in business development and organisational influence.

The business of a network group For example, whilst a network group does indeed enable (LGBT) staff to create a space to gain support from people they feel understand them within the organisation, they also form a ready-made focus group for the business in which they are a part of. Staff can turn to their network groups to collate information for example and to feedback on areas including policy, strategy or community engagement.

Almost all of the organisations in this year’s Stonewall Workplace Equality Index (WEI) Top 100 have a network group for their lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans staff, which is a real testament to the value that the organisations place upon them. Whilst we know that a network group can be led by just one passionate person,

its success can be determined through business support and a wider understanding from senior management for why it’s so important.

For this support to be in place, it’s clear that diversity and inclusion is something that matters to the decisionmakers of a business, and this is extremely reassuring for staff who identify with a protected characteristic.

“Whilst we know that a network group can be led by just one passionate person, its success can be determined through business support and a wider understanding from senior management for why it’s so important.” @Stonwa!UK www.stonewa!.org.uk

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Visibility of Role Models Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index is now broken into ten sections, which are each broken down into the areas of ‘foundations’, ‘next steps’ and ‘best practice’. This allows organisations to think more clearly about their specific internal targets.

One area of the index that is a bigger focus than ever before is role models within an organisation.

We know from speaking to employees, network groups and senior staff within organisations just how important visible role models are. This doesn’t just apply to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans role models – but also for role models to act as allies to LGBT colleagues and communities.

Allies are enormously important – and we’re finding more and more individuals who want to support their LGBT colleagues even if they don’t identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans themselves.

Sometimes there can be a slight hesitance to do this, as people

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might not know where to start or may worry about hostility towards them, however this is why it’s so important to have visible allies within an organisation. Who can help tackle any potential discrimination in the workplace, ensure it’s as inclusive a place to work in as possible and to help others do the same thing too.

Understanding multiple identities As well as role models, it’s important that businesses understand multiple identities amongst staff. This has also become a prominent part of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index framework.

If one of your lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans members of staff also identifies as being of a racial minority, or as having a disability, their experiences also will differ to other members of your LGBT staff.

Understanding that people don’t just fit into one group is vital – not just so businesses grasp the

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complexities of their experiences but also to ensure they aren’t typecast in any way within the organisation. It’s integral to avoid looking at things as standalone, which prevents businesses to expand, and to look at the further issues which people who identify with more than one protected characteristic face.

Looking at the Workplace Equality Index this year we can already begin to see these patterns forming – for example, LGBT disabled staff feel less able to be themselves in the workplace than LGBT nondisabled staff. This trend is particularly pronounced amongst trans LGB staff.

At Stonewall we know people perform better when they can be themselves. LGBT network groups not only allow this through connecting people with those who understand similar experiences, but also through the emphasis of support from the business for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans members of staff by supporting it from the beginning.

“Allies are enormously important – and we’re finding more and more individuals who want to support their LGBT colleagues even if they don’t identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans themselves.”

Photo: Thomas Anderson, Inclusive Networks Chief Executive and Alex Gwynne, Stonewall Client Account Manager

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35 | Network

INTERVIEW

Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk

HEATHER PEACE

BY THOMAS ANDERSON

SINGER. ACTRESS. ROLE MODEL.

Network Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk | 36

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You're hitting the road from March with your 'Little Bird Tour'.

Where does the name for the tour come from and how do you go about deciding what to name a tour, or album?

The "Little Bird" tour is a stripped back acoustic tour with myself on guitar and piano, Michael Clancy on guitar and vocals and Charlotte Ridley on keys, vocals and violin.

I've named it after a song myself and Michael penned leading up to "The Thin Line" album recording and it narrowly missed out on being included on the record. It didn't make it because it didn't quite fit into the sound of the album, but as a song I really liked it, as did a lot of the fans. I wanted to let those fans know it was still in development and hadn't been forgotten and the title, to me, suited the smaller, more intimate feeling of this tour. There's no rhyme or reason to how I name an album, it just happens and you kind of know when it's right. "The Thin Line" was the obvious title track for me for my second album and it was the last track I wrote for the record, weirdly "Fairytales" was the last track I wrote for my first studio album and that too became the title track. Maybe that's just how I'm always going to decide?!

What can we expect from the upcoming tour?

Any special cover versions?

It's a more intimate, acoustic tour. I've also got a grand piano at every venue which is always special and adds warmth to the sound. The covers, I usually do a couple, are top secret. They're not, I'm just not totally sure yet! I have a few in mind.

How did you settle on the venues for the tour?

I wanted to play in venues where the acoustics are almost an extra musician and churches seemed like the best option for that. They're all churches apart from London but The Jazz Cafe in Camden is just a really special venue and I'd play there every night of the week if I could. We may very well add some more cities to this mini tour later in the year. I would very much like to take this tour to Scotland, Ireland and Wales and maybe a venue further South in Devon or Cornwall.

You released 'The Thin Line' last year. For anyone who hasn't listened to it yet. How would you describe the album?

It's essentially a collection of self penned songs with themes ranging from love and loss to equality and social conscience. The production of the album is warm and organic. It was all recorded on tape with the main band parts recorded together in the same room at the same time, as a band, which I think gives it an energy and vibe not possible with single track recording. I'm a lover of big vocal arrangements, and they are all over the record. It's a big sounding album with pauses for quieter, more stripped songs. I thought about the album as a whole listening experience and so I think it flows well. The order of tracks was important to me, so don't press "shuffle"!

“I Pick Flowers” - The lyrics mean a lot to me, I think they are the most honest and the song was written for my wife, Ellie.

“I don't really want to be away from home at the moment. If the right role came along then obviously I'd change my mind in a heartbeat.

That's not to say I want to be in 'Heartbeat’. I don't. I think it's finished anyway.

Hasn't it?”

I've also got a grand piano at every venue which is always special and adds warmth to the sound.

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Is there a track on the album that means more to you than the others?

"I Pick Flowers” means a lot to me. It's the last track on the album and was recorded at about 1am after a very long recording session, and I was very ill. James Lewis, the producer, wanted me to record it when I was exhausted, hopefully to catch a vulnerability in the vocal.

He hung a mic between myself and Michael's guitars and we just played it. And that was it. The lyrics mean a lot to me, I think they are the most honest and the song was written for my wife, Ellie.

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gender being an issue that held you back because it wasn't part of my family. It was me, not my brother, who played football, for example, and my parents came to support me. We were both supported in whatever we wanted to do. I grew up surrounded by mostly boys, playing games on the street through the Summers and I just never saw myself as being in anyway slower, weaker, less than and I just always competed to the best of my ability. My Grandmother was also a formidably strong woman in every way, including physically. She got on with things, always worked hard, nothing was too much trouble and she was the backbone of our family.

You were immortalised as a lego figure for the special collectors edition of the album.

That must feel pretty cool?

A lovely lady on twitter, Bev Bratton, sent me one as a present. I took it to Australia and sent various pics back on twitter and people thought it was fun. So we had one made up to go with "The Thin Line" collectors edition.

Everyone loves lego right?

It’s International Women’s Day on 8 March.

Is there a female that has played a big part in your life, been a big influence on your career path or inspiration?

I'm going to say what so many people say; my Mum. She always made me believe I could do anything I wanted to do if I worked hard enough. I wasn't really aware of

“I was a huge fan of Doris Day though as a kid and 'Calamity Jane’ was possibly my favourite film EVER. Maybe I recognised my tomboy self in the character.”

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Did you have any role models in the world of showbiz and entertainment growing up?

Not really. No "role models", just actors and musicians that I loved. I was a huge fan of Doris Day though as a kid and 'Calamity Jane’ was possibly my favourite film EVER. Maybe I recognised my tomboy self in the character. I totally understood why she would prefer to wear her shirt and slacks and have her gun in her holster.

As I got older though, I'd say that KD Lang was a massively important visible figure for the LGBT community. At that time there was so much homophobia, everywhere, it was a normal part of everyday life in the press and on tv and yet there she was breaking into mainstream and performing shows where half of the audience were straight couples who didn't care about her sexuality, they were just there because of her amazing voice and music.

How important do you think positive and diverse role models are to encouraging kids of all backgrounds to aim high and follow their dreams?

For young people without good role models in their family I would say it's really important. The best case scenario though would be that their nearest and dearest tell them they can be whatever they want to be and their gender, sexuality, race need not hold them back.

What role do you think LGBT Pride events have in 2015 when we have equal marriage and equal rights in most areas of life in the UK?

Homophobia still exists. We are now supported by the law, but prejudice is still rife. I was in a bar in Peterborough when I was recording the album and I heard the most disgusting barrage of language about gay people and how they were 'disgusting’ and should be ‘put against a wall and shot’ from a group of four men and women who were having a drunken conversation.

James, my producer, had to hold onto me so I didn’t go and tackle their conversation. I'm glad he did, I don't think I would have come off too well. People get bullied, and worse than that, are still being targeted with violence because of their sexuality.

LGBT Pride events are so important to so many people, especially in smaller towns and cities, as it gives LGBT people a chance to not feel like a minority. It's always such a happy and exciting day. They also raise a heck of a lot of money for charities. They are a celebration of our culture and history, let's not forget, we have been a persecuted minority for too long. It's so wonderful to celebrate together with our straight friends and family too.

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How does it make you feel to be considered a role model by many people?

I'm kind of ok with it now. I'm glad it's happened later in my adult life. I was a complete prat in my 20's! It used to make me feel quite pressured, I was scared of putting a foot wrong but I know myself so much better now and am happy with my life and I'm settled. So bring it on!

“Homophobia still exists. We are now supported by the law, but prejudice is still rife. “

Have you ever experienced or witnessed any sexism or homophobia in the industry (or outside)?

Yes, of course. Many times. Sexism and homophobia.

Too much to write down and get into really, which is sad.

But it's changing, and it's changing at a pace now.

People are so much more aware of what's right and wrong now. If you look back just 20 years, so many people would be racist, sexist, homophobic all of the time without always being aware that that was what they were being. That's what's changed so much. I think the vast majority of people know now when they choose to be sexist/racist/homophobic and that's why it can change. It can change when people become aware of it.

Things like the "No more Page 3" have done wonders for explaining every day sexism for example, and they've made people aware of the subversive shit we are dealing with on a daily basis. Our eyes have been opened and so we can make changes. We can speak up and maybe gently explain when homophobic language is used, 'that's so gay’ and the like.

What’s next for you?

I'm writing. A lot. So another album is a definite. As for TV work. We shall see. I don't really want to be away from home at the moment. If the right role came along then obviously I'd change my mind in a heartbeat. That's not to say I want to be in 'Heartbeat’. I don't. I think it's finished anyway. Hasn't it?

@HeatherPeace | www.heatherpeace.com

Hear my voice

People with a learning disability and their families, families like ours, face many challenges in life. There are 1.4 million people with a learning disability in the UK and many more who love and support them. This means millions of people who want to see change.

In May 2015 we will elect the people who will run the country for the next 5 years.

Together we must tell our future leaders what needs to change.

Our voice counts. Yours does too.

Have your say and join the Hear my voice campaign.

www.mencap.org.uk/hearmyvoice #HearMyVoice 020 7696 5583 | hearmyvoice@mencap.org.uk

Network Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk | 40

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From great

2015

Networks are an integral part of the diversity, inclusion and engagement agenda in many organisations and play an important role in providing a welcome space for their members to meet new people, network, offer opportunities to increase their members knowledge and understanding of many topics as well as supporting with business, career and professional development. It’s only right that we celebrate their inspiring and important work and the positive impact they have. There are also many groups and organisations who facilitate valuable networking events and these should be acknowledged and rewarded too.

We wanted to hear about networks that have done something special in 2014.

This could have been hosting an inclusive event that was a real highlight, supporting an internal or external initiative, making a positive difference to the workplace or beyond, influenced changes, fundraising for charity or just generally being awesome through the work they do.

Everything they do should be to support a more inclusive society where diversity is celebrated and their members feel they can be their full selves when engaging with the network.

Following nominations, the list represents the diversity of network groups all across

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to awesome Inclusive Networks, a hub for celebrating diversity and inclusion, is delighted to publish our inaugural list of forty Awesome Networks.

The first list of its kind, it aims to celebrate the positive impact that network groups of all types and from all sectors have and also thank those people who selflessly coordinate the networks, many who do this on top of their day jobs.

the UK, ranging from employee networks including the ‘Focused Women’ network at RBS and ‘Celebrate’, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) network at charity Action for Children to the ‘City Sikhs Network’, an organisation run by Sikh professionals to create positive change within society and to help create a more connected world.

We know we have only touched the surface with our first list and we know there are hundreds of other networks doing wonderful things all over the UK. With lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) networks generally having a greater and more active presence on social media, the inaugural list has strong LGBT network representation. There is a clear under representation from some diversity strands and we hope to see nominations for many more networks of all types as more networks and organisations become aware of and get behind the ‘Awesome Network’ recognition. We’ll be working closely with organisations all over the UK to encourage this.

Thomas Anderson, Inclusive Networks Founder and Chief Executive, said: “The diversity of the nominations received in our first Awesome Network list is a celebration of the many authentic

networks around the UK that have each made their mark and have a real positive impact on those people who engage with them, and in many cases, the communities where they operate. I’m thrilled that there is representation from many diversity strands and sectors and I look forward to seeing the list grow. From my personal experience, it is very clear that networks of all types can enhance the lives of those people who engage with them, as well as be of great value to the organisations that many of the networks represent.”

“More and more organisations are seeing the value of investing in network groups.

That’s a great thing as we know that many people are attracted to organisations who have visible and active network groups or visibly support them. They also have a positive impact on employee engagement and staff retention. They really shout ‘thats a great place to work, where all employees are supported, can be themselves and there is investment and commitment to workplace inclusion’.

It makes business sense to support visible network groups.”

The list is presented in alphabetical order by the organisation the network represents.

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Action for Children : Celebrate - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employee network Amnesty : Amnesty UK LGBTI - Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) network ASDA : ASDA LGBT - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employee network Matthew Jenkinson, Chair of Asda LGBT said: “We’re delighted to be a part of the inaugural Awesome Networks list. Over the last three years we have taken great leaps in demonstrating our LGBT commitments to both our colleagues and customers and we’re really glad to see this is resonating through. We can’t wait to continue on our journey and watch this space for 2015!”

Barclays : Spectrum - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employee network BBC : BBC Pride - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employee network BNP Paribas : Parents & Carers Network - Parents and carers employee network Cardiff University : Enfys - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) network for staff Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service : Fire Pride - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employee network

Citymothers & Cityfathers : Providing a networking forum for working mothers and fathers City Sikhs Network : Creating positive change within society City Women Network : A vibrant community for senior professional women to connect, contribute and grow

ConnectED : An environment where people can meet, chat, connect and build business relationships Employers Stammering Network : Support network for employers Iain Wilkie, Co-Chairman of the Employers Stammering Network said: “The Employers Stammering Network is thrilled to have been chosen as an Awesome Network!

Stammering is a serious communication disability affecting 500,000 adults in the UK. Its impact on their employment can be particularly severe. As the only network of its kind in the world, we support people who stammer in fulfilling their career potential. With a strong focus on good communication, this benefits them, their teams and their employers. Find out more about us at www.stammering.org/esn”

EY : EY Sikh Network - Sikh network for employees – their events are open to everyone!

Fathers Network Scotland : Meet the changing needs of families and fathers in Scotland with practical services including training, events, peer support and research Forward Ladies : Unlocking the potential in professional women

Glasgow University : KC Soc - A sacred space for students to attain wisdom to lead a successful and happy lifestyle Ramunas Bucinskas aka Raghunath, Coordinator of Glasgow University KC Soc said: “We take inspiration from the ancient teachings of Bhagavad Gita, where it is explained that real knowledge and education is not about storing masses of data in our brain; it means to have the wisdom to see every human being with an equal vision.

We truly value the educative work done by Inclusive Networks that is helping to develop this equal vision.”

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) : Pride Network - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employee network IBM : EAGLE - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employee network

Is your network awesome?

Don’t be disappointed if you missed the deadline or your network is not recognised in the first unveiling of your Awesome Networks. You can still nominate up until 11:59pm on 28th June 2015 and we’ll be announcing the second and final 2015 Awesome Networks in July.

If you know of a network you think is awesome and should be recognised and celebrated, then let us know about them. From 29th June 2015 up until 10th January 2016 you can nominate a network to be recognised as a 2016 Awesome Network.

Find out more and nominate at www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk/awards/awesome-networks/

2016

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Read more quotes from our Awesome Networks at www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk/awards/awesome-networks-2015/

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Inter-Law Diversity Forum : Forum for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) network groups

John Lewis Partnership : Pips (Pride In Partnership) - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender

(LGBT) employee network

Leicestershire Police : Leicestershire Police LGBT Network - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employee network

Manchester University : Disabled Network - Disability network for employees and students National Older LGBT Housing Network : Open to members of the LGBT community, the housing sector and the wider third sector Nationwide : SOLCATS - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employee network

Chris Rhodes, Nationwide Executive Director and SOLCATS network Sponsor said: “I am delighted that our LGBT employee network, SOLCATS has been recognised in the inaugural Inclusive Networks ‘Awesome Network’ list. At Nationwide we believe that people perform better when they can be themselves and this recognition supports all the hard work that SOLCATS do to ensure that our LGBT employees and customers feel respected and valued.”

Nottingham University : Disabled Network - Disability network for employees and students Ogilvy & Mather Group : Ogilvy Pride - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employee network

PwC : GLEE@PwC - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) network for employees and clients.

Everyone is welcome!

RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) : ENABLE - Disability network for employees and Focused Women - Women’s network for employees and clients & Rainbow - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employee network Royal Navy : The Naval Servicewomen’s Network (NSN) - Women’s network for employees

Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Sir David Steel KBE DL said: “The Naval Servicewomen’s Network (NSN) has gone from strength to strength since its inception. It supports women across the Naval Service, including our Reservists and Royal Fleet Auxiliary and, importantly, it is making an impact outside the Service. From participation in the national Inspiring Women Campaign to the 10% Rising portrait project and now with this latest recognition by Inclusive Networks, NSN has created opportunities for, and increased awareness of, Naval Servicewomen and their roles and is inspiring women and young girls across the country”.

ScienceGrrl : A group of people who are passionate about celebrating women in science and passing on our love of science to the next generation

SWAN : Scottish Workplace Networking - Networking events aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and

transgender people – everyone is welcome!

TESCO : OUT at TESCO - Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) employee network The Co-operative Group : Aspire - Women’s career network for employees The Girls’ Network : Inspiring and empowering girls from the least advantaged communities through connecting them with a network of positive female role models

UK Parliament : ParliOUT - Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning (LGBTIQ)

employee network for Lords, MPs and parliament staff Village Bakers : Manchester based networking group who’s aim is to bake, share and eat with friends old and new York University : Disabled Network - Disability network for students Thomas Ron, Chair of the Disabled Students Network said: “The YUSU Disabled Students Network is privileged and honoured to be named as an ‘Awesome Network’ by Inclusive Networks. We have long attempted to be a voice for disabled students, both securing representation for them on every level, as well as gaining real campaign victories for students, ensuring that they have things like hearing loops in major lecture theatres, a reduction in assessment of needs fees and accessible clubs. It is amazing to be recognised for this work and I hope that we can continue the work we have achieved for years to come.”

43 | Network

Buzz | March 2015 | www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk

Entertainment interviews exclusive to www.inclusivenetworks.co.uk

OMI

Carol Decker

Akie Kotabe

He’s topping charts all over the world with his infectious single ‘Cheerleader’. It’s out in the UK on 12th April.

The multi-platinum selling T’Pau have just released a brand new album, ‘Pleasure & Pain’.

It’s fab!

After roles in movies like ‘Jack Ryan : Shadow Recruit’, we chat to Akie about his role in ‘Everly’, starring Salma Hayek.

Joe McElderry

Hazell Dean

He’s on the road with his biggest tour to date, the ‘Evolution Tour’.

The Queen of HI-NRG is back with a new single, ‘24 Hours’ (out now).

La Voix The ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ 2014 semi-finalist is a woman on a mission.

Plus : Allan Jay, Vengaboys and Billy Bottle & Martine Waltier

Check them out!

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