EUROUT 2024: Learning from Legends, Leading with Pride | London Business School

Over 500 LGBTQ+ business school students and LGBTQ+ allies came together at London Business School (LBS) recently to take part in Europe’s biggest student-led LGBTQ+ business conference. Taking place from 14-16 November, the 14th annual EUROUT conference organised by LBS’ Out in Business student club drew together members of faculty and experts from across the world of business to discuss ways to improve inclusivity for LGBTQ+ employees.

With keynote speeches from Dame Julia Hoggett, CEO of London Stock Exchange and Dr Rupert Whitaker OBE, co-founder of Terence Higgins Trust, EUROUT truly offered delegates an opportunity to learn from legends who lead with pride, the theme of this year’s conference.

Baroness Lynne Featherstone reflected on the fight to introduce the same-sex marriage bill in the UK and Bobbi Pickard shared the inspirational story behind Trans in the City, the world’s largest organisation for trans and non-binary people in business. Similarly, Richard Morris, CEO and co-founder of Racing Pride, spoke about his efforts to make motorsports more inclusive.

Discussions covered a wide range of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) topics, and workshops provided delegates with practical tips on how to broaden their skills.

Key takeaways from the conference include:

• DEI networks are not just places of support. Networks offer a community that can open doors, and DEI is an area where employees can get early access to responsibility

• The need to raise awareness and educate people at organisations remains, including the need for managers to ensure that people can feel comfortable volunteering information about themselves if they want to rather than managers making assumptions

• Allyship is a gift. Unite and collaborate was the call to action from Bobbi Pickard!

• Mentorship can play an important role in formulating a sense of belonging

• It’s harder for organisations to backslide on DEI when data exists

• There’s a need to tie DEI to organisational strategy, define what progress is and set measures of incremental success and change.

• Don’t feel too junior to express your thoughts. Be brave and say what you think as that will help the people around you.

Additional key takeaways are covered by BusinessBecause reporter Laura Wise in her article Inclusive Leadership: Key Insights From LGBT+ Leaders At EUROUT 2024.

Over 30 LGBTQ+ friendly businesses sponsored the conference and career fair, with lead sponsors Boston Consulting Group and Salesforce hosting drinks receptions for delegates, and Strategy& sponsoring the annual EUROUT Ball. Entertainment across the two days was provided by comedian Kate Sharp and drag queens Glew and Toxiic.

Summing up the conference, Out in Business Co-Presidents Max Buck and Meg Mathile said:

“EUROUT is more than just a conference. It’s a warm, welcoming environment where different ideas can flourish, where people can come together to celebrate authenticity, challenge the status quo and learn from one another. As one of our inspirational speakers reflected, leadership knows no age. We hope that EUROUT offers people the courage to believe in their voice, embrace their vision, and remember that true leadership starts the moment you dare to make a difference.”