Deloitte partners recognised as leaders in LGBT diversity

Two Deloitte partners, Sharon Thorne and Matt Batham have been recognised for their contribution to LGBT diversity and inclusion in the OUTstanding lists published in today’s Financial Times.  The lists seek to identify the UK business leaders who have made a significant impact in effecting positive change for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the workplace.  The nominees were judged on a range of criteria including leadership, acting as a role model, challenging stereotypes, and overall contribution to diversity.

Sharon Thorne, managing partner for regional markets, was ranked 14th in the Top 20 Allies list, which features those business leaders who do not themselves identify as LGBT, but have been successful champions of inclusion for LGBT people.  Sharon has been a tireless supporter of GLOBE, Deloitte’s diversity network for LGBT people, since she established all of our diversity networks in 2007 and now acts as its executive sponsor.  There are currently 260 people in the network. She has also become known outside the firm as an advocate for LGBT issues in the workplace, both in her role on the board of the CBI and through her speaking engagements at conferences and events.

Sharon comments: “I’ve always been proud of my support for our GLOBE network and I am delighted to be recognised in this list.  Promoting inclusion is the responsibility of everyone in the workplace, not just those who themselves identify as part of a particular minority group. Becoming an ally of a diversity network is a great way to demonstrate leadership on this, and it is an experience I’d recommend to anyone.”

Matt Batham, a member of Deloitte’s tax leadership, was chosen for the Top 100 LGBT Business Leaders list and was ranked in 68th place.  Matt has long been an LGBT role model at Deloitte, acting as a mentor to many within Deloitte and he is an active supporter of Deloitte’s GLOBE network.  He has recently become involved in a number of initiatives for LGBT parents, sharing his own experiences as the father of two young children at a Deloitte event hosted in conjunction with BP. He also opened the launch event of a new City of London support network for LGBT parents.

Matt adds: “In a business so dependent on the calibre of its people, encouraging diversity is an essential element for success.  Our recognition is an indicator that Deloitte continues to lead the way in this regard."

OUTstanding founder, Suki Sandhu, concludes: “Our Top 100 list is bigger and better than before and yet again proves you can succeed professionally when you are authentic at work. Self-disclosure is best for employees and for the businesses that support them. Our hope is this list will inspire others to embrace who they are, paving the way for change in the corporate world and society as a whole.”

End

Notes to editors

About Deloitte
In this press release references to Deloitte are references to Deloitte LLP, which is among the country's leading professional services firms.

Deloitte LLP is the United Kingdom member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), a UK private company limited by guarantee, whose member firms are legally separate and independent entities. Please see www.deloitte.co.uk/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of DTTL and its member firms.

The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.

Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

About OUTstanding
OUTstanding is an executive level network for LGBT business people and straight allies, providing them with truly peer‐to-peer professional and social connections. 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 members include BP, Barclays, EY and Google, American Express and BAE Systems. www.out-standing.org.