MEMBER NEWS


The struggle for gay people in business


Plymouth PR and marketing agency Dorcas Media Limited, that works with clients across the globe, is celebrating four years in business this month. City businessman Kevin Kelway,


who is openly gay, says there is a still a 'glass closet' preventing homosexual people from making it to the top in business. Mr Kelway, a joint director with


his long-term partner Ian Fleming, wants to see more gay people leading top companies and organisations. “I think it's time for a symbolic


‘shout out’ – to demonstrate that gay people in business, and in the boardroom, are still lagging behind the rest of our society. “How many CEOs can we name


who are gay in Devon? Or, who are running some of the


region's influential public or private companies? “Acceptance of gay people in


business is growing, but there is still some way to go in the county.” “We need more openly gay


people in boardrooms and as business influencers.” Mr Kelway, who ‘came out’ in an


interview with The Plymouth Herald nine years ago said it was a brave and extraordinary thing to openly talk about being gay at the time. “Nine years later, British politicians, celebrities, presenters, and religious clergy come out of the closet and are able to express themselves all of the time, and it barely makes any headlines anymore. But my experience in local business over the past nine


years, it still very different. Once upon a time local employers used to avoid hiring gay people unless you worked in professions that were ‘homosexual friendly’. “There is an unusually high


concentration of gay or lesbian workers in certain occupations: in law, university teaching, or the popular stereotypes such as flight attendants and bus and truck drivers - but this is all changing very fast.” “Today, young people find it


easier to be 'out' and more visible at work, and that wonderful word 'proud' is in the workplace. “Yes, local bosses have various


reasons to employ gay people, where for diversity, employment policies, qualifications, talent, or work ethics.” “And our employment rights are changing rapidly, such as providing medical benefits for partners, though the tax system is still unfair to gay people.” “But more changes are still needed,” he stressed. “In the boardroom corporate cultures evolve more slowly, and there is still a ‘glass closet’ of business leaders and entrepreneurs still closeted at work. “And especially the 50-plus


business folk - who still keep quiet about their sexuality.” Internationally, there are some


Kevin Kelway (left) with his partner, Ian Fleming


‘We need


more openly gay people in


boardrooms and as business influencers’


LGBT people who have made


it to the top in business. In 2016 Business


Insider published a power list of gay business


leaders topped by Inga Beale, the bisexual chief executive of Lloyd's of London, and also featuring Elton John's partner David Furnish, chief


executive of Rocket Entertainment Group. Also listed, in a top 23, was Alan


Joyce of Qantas, and Antonio Simoes, boss at HSBC Bank. Suki Sandhu, chief executive of


OUTstanding, the LGBT networking group, said those on the list were ‘an inspiration to anyone who fears that they may have to be closeted at work’.


Knowledge – your most valuable asset


We’ve all been there – the retirement party. But it’s not just the loss of the well-loved colleague, it’s the loss of years of experience and knowledge. That lost information can be invaluable, whether it’s helping new


colleagues or providing insight for your existing workforce. Fresh Air Studios recently carried out a project for a major insurance


firm in the City of London where a long-standing employee was retiring after 38 years as a specialist underwriter. The firm wanted to have a record of what he felt was the most important information and experience to pass on to future generations. Fresh Air Studios set up a temporary studio at their HQ and spent a


day recording a series of seven podcasts for them, which looked back over his career, explained and simplified some of the tricky and sometimes complex aspects of the business.


6 Chamber Profile July/August 2017 The client felt recording a podcast was a more personable way to


capture the information, rather than simply producing a written document. This gives the listener the flexibility to hear it at their convenience – whether this is in the office, car, bus or train. Fresh Air Studios Managing Director Paul Philpott said: “Our client


now has a bank of information that will potentially inform and educate hundreds of people for years to come. “This concept can be applied across any business in a myriad of


subject matters, from a simple ‘welcome and who we are’ podcast to the explanation of complex subjects. Having the information clearly and enthusiastically conveyed is the great advantage of audio over print.”


Call 01752 229246 or visit FreshAirGroup.co.uk


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