Annual Conference 2024 – writeup and video

Pride in Leadership Annual Conference 2024 – A landmark event for LGBTQ+ leaders

The inaugural Pride in Leadership Annual Conference 2024 held on 26th November in Manchester was a resounding success, marking a significant milestone for the LGBTQ+ leadership community in the UK.

Sold out a massive 6 weeks before the event, the day brought together inspiring leaders, industry experts, and advocates to celebrate diversity, tackle leadership challenges, and nurture stronger connections within the LGBTQ+ professional space.

“A truly inspirational day. Thank you so much. All speakers were incredible and lovely to meet and network.” – Attendee

Please watch our summary video and read our write up below.

A warm welcome to a growing community

The conference opened with a heartfelt introduction by Claire Ebrey (she/her) and Matt Haworth (he/him), co-founders of Pride in Leadership. Reflecting on how the network started as a small initiative in the North West and has since expanded across the UK, Claire and Matt emphasised the mission of elevating, connecting, and supporting LGBTQ+ leaders. Their message was clear – the journey is just beginning, and the community’s growth and influence will continue to flourish.

Attendees praised the atmosphere and organisation. One attendee remarked, “Fantastic effort from start to finish. A huge thank you and congratulations!” while another added, “Very satisfied – the event was well organised and the speakers were brilliant. Keep up the good work!”

Keynote speakers and masterclasses

The conference featured a stellar lineup of speakers and engaging masterclasses, designed to empower leaders to step into their full potential.

Key speakers:

• Dame Jackie Daniel (she/her) – CEO and leading NHS figure, sharing insights from her remarkable career and contributions to diversity and inclusion. Attendees highlighted her session, with feedback such as “Jackie was incredible” and “I appreciated the crowd involvement in Dame Jackie’s talk.”
• Professor Stephen Whittle OBE (he/him) – A pioneer in equalities law, who captivated the audience with his talk on staying calm and influencing effectively. One participant reflected, “Stephen Whittle’s talk was amazing! The highlight of the conference for me.”
• Beth Sherman (she/her) – Emmy Award-winning comedy writer, delivering a TED-style talk on using humour as a leadership tool to foster meaningful connections. “Beth’s session was fantastic, though I wish it had been longer,” commented an attendee.

Masterclasses:

• Ed Moss (he/him): “Unleashing the full power of you” – A transformative workshop for LGBTQ+ leaders to harness authenticity and courage.
• Jodi Fox (she/her): “Building an authentic personal brand” – Practical advice on balancing personal and professional identity while amplifying influence. Some feedback included, “Jodi’s masterclass was great, though a bit quick. It could have been delivered slower.”
• Yatin Mistry (he/him): “Overcoming self-limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome” – A powerful session addressing confidence and mindset challenges. “Yatin’s talk was the most personally impactful,” said a younger attendee.
• Drew Dalton (he/him): “Making a global impact starting locally” – Tackling global challenges through local leadership.

Panel discussion:

• Overcoming barriers to career development – Led by Matt Haworth, Dr Alex Baird (they/them), and Chris Dunne (he/him), offering insights from the latest survey on LGBTQ+ career progression.

Pride in Leadership Mentoring

The launch of Pride in Leadership Mentoring was another highlight, providing opportunities for LGBTQ+ leaders to engage as mentors or mentees. This initiative aims to address barriers to career advancement and create a supportive leadership network across sectors. You can register to be a mentor or mentee here.

Our sponsors

A huge thank you to Crowe UK for their generous headline sponsorship. Their commitment to cultivating inclusive workplaces aligns perfectly with Pride in Leadership’s vision.

Additional support came from:

• Linten Technologies – a full service, b2b IT services company.
• Huddle Digital – Innovation partners helping businesses tackle their toughest challenges with innovative digital platforms, tools and experiences.
• Saz Media – Film and photography services in Manchester.
• Charity People – Specialising in recruiting diverse talent for charitable organisations.

Photos from the day

Looking ahead

The conference closed with networking, live music, and a vibrant sense of community. . As the first of many, Pride in Leadership’s annual conference has set a powerful precedent for future events. Attendees left feeling energised, inspired, and ready to lead with authenticity and confidence.

“The energy was incredible, and I cannot wait for the next one,” shared one attendee

We are now planning our 2025 Annual Conference. You can register here. If you would like to be a sponsor, please contact claire@onthelevelconsultancy.com.