Landmark conference seeks to level the LGBT playing field across sport

“Sport has an incredible ability to break barriers and be a catalyst for positive social change,” said Phil Clement, global chief marketing officer for Aon and a lead organiser of the conference. “However, despite recent stories of players and officials coming out, sport arguably has some way to go in taking full advantage of an inclusive industry where all LGBT individuals are accepted and able to bring their ‘whole selves to work.’”

Convened in celebration of LGBT History Month, the conference will feature a day of conversations, panels and case studies examining sexual orientation and gender identity in sport; the business opportunity and rationale of promoting LGBT inclusion; numerous positive examples of those breaking new ground; and how sponsors are acting as a catalyst to achieve real change. Organisers of the conference will also unveil and sign a pledge to promote LGBT inclusion on and off the field of play.

Research points to the fact that inclusive industries grow faster, have more success and drive deeper loyalty with employees and customers. Inclusive organisations also innovate and adapt more quickly in changing times and there is an immense appetite from athletes, rights holders and federations to create a more productive sports industry.

“We are committed to creating and promoting an environment of inclusion through all our interactions as a club,” said Richard Arnold, managing director of Manchester United and a member of the Team Pride conference organising committee. “This is a critical forum for stakeholders working in and around sport to drive an inclusive culture across the industry and, ultimately, have a greater impact on society.”

In addition to opening remarks by Mr. Arnold, the conference agenda includes:

• Adidas Group CFO Robin Stalker  will lead a discussion on the decision and challenges of coming out with Nicola Adams , the first openly LGBT person to win an Olympic boxing Gold medal, and Keegan Hirst , the first British professional rugby league player to come out as gay

• John Amaechi OBE , the first NBA player and one of the first U.S. pro-athletes to speak publicly about being gay, will share his views on the state of LGBT inclusion and how senior leaders are partnering with business, educational, sporting and philanthropic organisations across the world

• Arsenal Communications Director Mark Gonnellawill share their best practices, including HR training for their employees, their very successful launch of a gay supporter club and the launch of the globally recognised rainbow laces campaign with Stonewall.

• Stonewall CEO Ruth Hunt  and OUTstanding CEO and Founder Suki Sandhu will highlight the importance of Straight Allies programs in driving the inclusion agenda

• The Economist Executive Director Daniel Franklin will lead a discussion on corporate leadership regarding LGBT and best practices that could be put to work in the sport industry.

• Sport England Vice Chair Debbie Jevans,  former chief executive of England Rugby 2015 and the first female in Olympic history to be appointed director of sport for an Olympic and Paralympic Games, will share her perspective on breaking barriers and inclusion in English sport.

The conference is being organised by Accenture, adidas Group, Amaechi Performance, Aon, Aviva, Barclays, Credit Suisse, EY, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Leaders in Sport, Manchester United, OUTstanding, Pitch, Stonewall, Tata Communications and TSMGI. Other organisations expected include AIG, Arsenal, British Olympic Association, GE, HCL Technologies, NFL UK, Premier League, Premiership Rugby, Santander, Sky and UK Sport.

The conference will take place from 8.30am-4.00pm GMT on 11 February at the Leadenhall Building in London. Advance registration is required. To register to attend or learn more about the inaugural Team Pride conference please contact Vera Adelmann at +44 (0) 207 086 3438.

You can follow the conference at aon.com/lgbtinsports and join the conversation using the hashtag #TeamPride.