London, 20th October 2015, OUTstanding and The Financial Times today announce the publication of the 2015 power list of leading LGBT and ally professionals. Standouts include Lloyds of London CEO Inga Beale and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.

The OUTstanding power rankings are broken into three lists: Leading LGBT Executives 2015, Leading Ally Executives 2015, and Future Leaders 2015.

The Leading LGBT Executives list is topped by Lloyd’s CEO Inga Beale. She is both the first woman and the first open bisexual person to top the LGBT Executives list. Inga is joined by three other openly bisexual business leaders – the first to ever be included in the Top 100.

This year’s list also celebrates its highest ever ranking transgender executive, Martine Rothblatt (CEO, United Therapeutics). This is particularly important, as research shows 32% of transgender workers think coming out would have a negative effect on future promotions, and 90% of transgender individuals report mistreatment or harassment at work.

Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas, makes his first appearance in the Top 100 list, at number 2, and 2013 winner, Antonio Simoes (CEO, HSBC) is at number 3.

In the other lists, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is named the number 1 Ally Executive for his work championing LGBT diversity both within his organisation and globally. For the first time, OUTstanding is also highlighting those emerging leaders who have catalysed change in the campaign for LGBT inclusion.

The ‘Future Leader role models’ list is topped by Aritha Wickramasinghe, an associate at law firm K&L Gates LLP. Wickramasinghe said, “Being out at work has meant that I can focus my energies on my career and contribute to the workplace rather than hiding. People often underestimate the effort that’s required to live a lie.”

OUTstanding founder and CEO Suki Sandhu said, “I’m hugely proud that all of our featured role models continue to challenge the assumption that you can’t be openly LGBT in business and be a success. Those featured are an inspiration to anyone who fears that they may have to be closeted at work, and waste valuable effort muting their authentic selves. Our LGBT and Ally Executives all deserve credit for the leadership they show in welcoming people of all backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identities. And I look forward to the changes our Future Leader role models will carve in this on-going and vital campaign.”

Carola Hoyos, editor of FT Executive Appointments, said: “The FT has been deeply involved with these rankings – from ensuring the integrity of the methodology and judging, to their analysis. This is key because the individuals on the list serve as role models for others to follow in enabling every member of the LGBT community to thrive unencumbered by prejudice at work and in life. By doing so they help their companies, stakeholders – from investors, staff, suppliers and customers – and the economies they serve to do so as well. This is important in Europe and the U.S., but even more so in regions where LGBT rights are far less assured and where many companies every day can do more than governments or even human rights groups to export inclusivity.”

Lloyds of London CEO Inga Beale said: “It is a delight and honour to be listed in OUTstanding’s Top 100, but the praise should go to the whole London insurance sector. I am proud of the commitment of Lloyd’s and the London insurance market to celebrate diversity and ensure we are an attractive, globally relevant and inclusive sector. Inclusion is the foundation of innovation, and having an open, accepting, and diverse workforce will enable us to succeed in a changing and challenging world.”

FT and OUTstanding worked in concert to produce the methodology of the list and select judges. Those on the list were nominated by peers and colleagues, and all nominations were reviewed by OUTstanding’s judging panel, consisting of: Lord Browne, Executive Chairman of L1 Energy, and former CEO of BP; Dawn Airey, CEO Getty Images; Ashok Vaswani, CEO, Personal and Corporate Banking, Barclays; Harriet Green, VP & GM, Internet of Things & Education, IBM; Vicki Culpin, Global Dean of Research, Hult International Business School; Suki Sandhu, Founder & CEO, OUTstanding; and Carola Hoyos, Editor of the Executive Appointments section, Non Executive Directors Club, Financial Times. Each person was scored on the seniority and influence of their role, their impact on LGBT inclusion inside and outside the workplace and their business achievements. Everyone included in the list was externally nominated and has given their permission to be included.

All three lists will be available to view in full here: https://www.out-standing.org/nominations/2015-role-models/

OUTstanding
Harriet Webster/Alice Bravery
E: OUTstanding@capellapr.com
T: 020 7924 5656

Financial Times
Christopher Chafin, communications manager
E: christopher.chafin@ft.com
T: 917.551.5093

OUTstanding is an executive level network for LGBT business people and allies, with a mission to create an environment where LGBT executives can succeed. It was founded by Suki Sandhu in June 2013 and exists to drive change in the business world by broadening the boardroom diversity debate beyond gender or race to include LGBT issues. Corporate founding members include EY, Google, Barclays and BP http://www.out-standing.org/

The Financial Times, one of the world’s leading business news organisations, is recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. Providing essential news, comment, data and analysis for the global business community, the FT has a combined paid print and digital circulation of 747,000. Mobile is an increasingly important channel for the FT, driving almost half of total traffic.