Civil Service LGBT+ Conference 2022

The Civil Service LGBT+ Network exists to connect LGBT+ civil servants across government, to make sure they feel safe at work, and to help them develop in their careers. The Civil Service LGBT+ Conference 2022 is one way we are delivering on that mission, and meeting one of the commitments I made to you when I was elected as Chair in last year.

This is the first conference that the cross-government network has hosted since 2017. I’m thrilled that we are able to welcome 250 LGBT+ staff from across the UK to the event. For those that are unable to join in person we will be offering an online-only version of the conference’s content later this year.

The latest Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy sets out a vision where diversity and inclusion is not an end in itself, but an integral means of delivering better public services. By valuing the diversity of our teams, investing in our people, tackling bullying and harassment and being evidence-led in our policies. The sessions at this year’s conference have been designed to act as part of our contribution, as a network, to delivering on that vision.

All our work as a network is volunteer-led, and we couldn’t put on events like this without their help. I want to thank the volunteers who have made today’s conference possible – particularly our Vice Chair, James Jefferson who has led the team.

I hope you will enjoy your time at the conference, and will take full advantage of this valuable learning opportunity.

John Peart
Chair, Civil Service LGBT+ Network

The value of learning and development should not be understated in our development as civil servants. Since joining the Civil Service four years ago it is something I have benefited from greatly, helping me overcome both personal and work goals, while progressing my career.

In my first year of work, I was recommended a course on presenting and speaking to large audiences. This was something I really feared and wasn’t particularly good at. During the course, I was challenged, pushed out of my comfort zone but supported by a great trainer and a group of peers all in a similar situation. We were taught simple but effective techniques on how to overcome the anxiety of a large audience, how to present clearly and keep your audience engaged and most importantly how to stand and what speed to talk at. All techniques I wish I had known sooner.

I was able to bring back my new skills to the workplace to not only help me in my role but also share with colleagues to support them. That is the art of learning and development, while building your knowledge of something new, you can also use it to upskill and support your peers.

It has been a pleasure to organise this conference for you, with the support of the Network and my volunteer team. I really hope the day we have planned helps you in your career journey, whether you are just starting out in the civil service, looking to progress, upskill or even change profession.

We have attendees from all over the UK, of all grades and from over 20 professions, so the opportunities to network are endless. I encourage you all to maximise the value of this in person conference, speak to someone new and share your learning with colleagues on the day, as well as back in your departments.

I look forward to meeting you all throughout the day. For those that are unable to join in person, please be assured we will be running a similar event online later this year.

James Jefferson
Vice-Chair – Conference, Civil Service LGBT+ Network

When you registered, you agreed to follow our standards of behaviour. Please ensure you read the standards of behaviour before you attend the event.

In short, we aim to ensure that everyone will be welcomed and feel included at this event. We expect everyone to uphold the highest standards of behaviour and to follow the Civil Service Code. If your conduct would not generally be acceptable in your workplace, it is not acceptable at this conference.

These standards of behaviour also apply at any social or networking opportunities that take place before and after the main conference.

Guest wifi is available at the conference centre, via GovWifi.

GovWifi is a free wifi service allowing staff and visitors to use a single username and password to connect to guest wifi across the public sector.

You should register to use GovWifi before you enter the conference centre. The conference centre is underground, and you may not be able to register whilst inside the conference centre.

Connect a device to GovWifi

You must create a GovWifi account to connect to a GovWifi network. Your device will connect to the wifi automatically in thousands of buildings that offer GovWifi.

1. Create a GovWifi account

You can either:

• text ‘Go’ to 07537 417 417
• send a blank email from your public sector email address to signup@wifi.service.gov.uk

GovWifi reply with your username and password. Do not share your details with anyone else.

2. Connect your device

To connect your device, follow the guide for Android, iPhone or iPad, Mac, Windows or Chromebook.

You can use the same username and password to connect all your devices to GovWifi.

Further information

Further information about the GovWifi service is available on GOV.UK.

If you can no longer attend the conference, please cancel your place as soon as possible. There is a waiting list for attendance at the event promptly; cancelling your place means other people can attend. You can cancel your place at any time before the day of the event.

You can cancel your place via the Eventbrite website. Full instructions are available on Eventbrite’s help and support pages. If you’re stuck, please email conference@civilservice.lgbt

If you do not attend the event and do not cancel your ticket, we reserve the right to charge your department or agency for the cost of providing your place.

The recommended dress code for this event is smart casual.

There is no requirement to wear a suit or business attire.

This is a work event held at a Civil Service office. Please ensure you are dressed appropriately.

The conference is being held at:

BEIS Conference Centre
1 Victoria Street,
London,
SW1H 0ET

Find the venue on Google Maps

The conference centre entrance is to the left of the main BEIS entrance.

Industrial action is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 5 October. This may have a knock-on impact to travel on Thursday 6 October.

We suggest you follow the latest guidance from National Rail and, if feasible plan, your journey around this. You should build in time for any potential delays.

If you had intended to travel on 5 October, you may wish to consider asking for permission to work from a London office on 5 October and instead travel on 4 October. Any approvals to do this would be for your manager and organisation to agree.

If you are unable or no longer wish to travel

If your journey is affected by the train strikes, and you are unable to travel or no longer wish to travel, please cancel your place via Eventbrite. If you have any issues doing this, please contact conference@civilservice.lgbt.

We will be hosting a similar online-only conference event later in the year for those who are unable to attend in person.

The conference venue is located nearby to the following London Underground stations:

• Westminster station (Circle and District, and Jubilee lines)
• Victoria station (Circle and District, and Victoria lines)
• St James’ Park (Circle and District lines)

The venue is around 10 to 15 minutes walk from each of these stations.

The conference centre is also served by a large number of local buses; check the Transport for London website or your chosen transport app for more information.

Please ensure that you bring identification with you to the event.

Accepted forms of identification

If you are a Common Civil Service Pass holder, please bring your usual work pass.

If you are not a Common Civil Service Pass holder, please bring another form of proof that you are a Civil Service employee.

Please bring proof of your registration with you on the day.

This could be:

• a QR code on the Eventbrite app on your phone
• an email from Eventbrite containing your ticket

You do not need to bring a physical copy of the ticket.

You can check if you have successfully registered by logging into the Eventbrite website using the email address you used to register.

We recommend also bringing:

• a water bottle as there will be facilities available to fill this up
• something to take notes on (i.e., a notepad and pen, or you can use an electronic device)
• given you will need to use an electronic device for Slido (and taking notes), you may wish to bring a portable charger

On arrival, you may be asked to be check in at the conference centre reception by BEIS staff.

After you have checked in, please go downstairs to the welcome desk to register your attendance at the event.

Registration will open at 09:30 and close at 10:10.

Please bring your identification and ticket with you to speed up your entry to the building and registration for the event.

If you are going to be late, please do not worry, just speak to the BEIS conference reception team and they will direct you to the right place. We will have volunteers and signage situated around the building on the day.

Opening remarks from the:

• Civil Service LGBT+ Inclusion Champion, Jim Harra
• Chair of the Civil Service LGBT+ Network, John Peart
• Vice-Chair for the Conference, James Jefferson

Keynote speech from Jason Ghaboos, Deputy Director for Inclusive Practice in Civil Service HR.

Panel sessions in the main room or, if you’re a delegate who is LGBT+ and from an ethnic minority background, you can alternatively join the listening circle in the breakout rooms.

In the plenary room

10:45 to 11:30 – Bringing your authentic self to work – reflections from LGBT+ civil servants

In this panel session, you will gain an insight into the work practices of different LGBT+ civil servants in how they have navigated their sexuality, gender, and identity throughout the course of their career.

Listening circles

Please note that breakout rooms have a maximum capacity of 30 participants.

10:45 to 11:30 – Listening circle – ethnic minority inclusion

The Civil Service LGBT+ Network will be hosting an in-person listening circle for delegates who are LGBT+ and from an ethnic minority background. This will be an opportunity to share your experiences and opinions of how being an LGBT+ ethnic minority have shaped your experience of being a civil servant.

A short break between sessions.

Speeches and Q&A sessions in the main room or, if you’re a delegate who is bi+, you can alternatively join the listening circle in the breakout rooms.

In the plenary room

11:40 to 12:00 – In conversation with LGBT&I SCS Champions

In this session, you will hear first-hand from Sam des Forges, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Ministry of Defence talking about their role as an LGBT&I champion including why they are a champion, what it means to them, how they actively carry out the role, and what they’ve learnt from doing it.

12:00 to 12:15 – Transforming your career as a reservist

In this session, you’ll hear about the benefits of joining the armed forces reserves, and how that can help to take your career in new and interesting directions alongside your Civil Service career.

12:15 to 12:30 – Policy starts with you: inclusive policy making

The policy profession share how they are helping to improve policy making and public service delivery by considering inclusion throughout the policy process.

Listening circles

11:40 to 12:30 – Listening circle – BiSpace

The BiSpace team will be providing a safe space for Bi, Pan, Queer, Ace/aro and other minority sexual orientations to network across government and build confidence through finding common ground.

Please note that breakout rooms have a maximum capacity of 30 participants.

A light lunch will be provided.

If you have any special dietary needs, please let us know in advance. It may not be possible to accommodate all requests for special dietary needs. Where this is not possible, you should rely on your department’s normal subsistence and expenses arrangements to claim back the cost of food or drink.

You are free to purchase your own refreshments and food on the day if you wish. The conference centre is located close to Strutton Ground where a variety of vendors are available. Speak to a conference volunteer on the day to find out where to go if you are unsure.

Choose from one of the four sessions taking place in the plenary and breakout rooms across the conference or, if you are trans or non-binary, join the listening circle.

Sessions

13:30 to 14:15 – Workshops and sessions

Sessions include:

• Succeeding at Success Profiles
• Bringing your whole self to work
• Tackling bullying, harassment and discrimination
• Implementing data-driven change

Listening circle

13:30 to 14:15 – Listening circle – Trans and non-binary inclusion

The Trans and Non-Binary Inclusion team will provide a safe space for trans, non-binary and genderqueer people to network across government.

Breakout rooms are limited in size, so you may not be able to attend your chosen session. If your chosen session is full, you will be able to join any other session.

Join your colleagues for a rapid mentoring session. You will be given the opportunity to network with a range of peers from different professions and grades, tailored to a specific area of your interest. You never know, you may just find a match!

A short comfort break before the final sessions.

Choose from one of the four sessions taking place in the plenary and breakout rooms across the conference or, if you are an LBT+ woman, join the listening circle.

Sessions

15:30 to 16:15 Workshops and panels

Sessions include:

• Local presence, national influence
• Learning from the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
• Demystifying security vetting for LGBT+ civil servants

Breakout rooms are limited in size, so you may not be able to attend your chosen session. If your chosen session is full, you will be able to join any other session.

Listening circle

15:30 to 16:15 – Listening circle – LBT+ womens’ inclusion

The Civil Service LGBT+ Network will be hosting an in-person listening circle for LGBT+ women during the conference. This will be an opportunity to share your experiences and opinions of how being an LGBT+ women have shaped your experience of being a civil servant.

Breakout rooms are limited in size, so you may not be able to attend your chosen session. If your chosen session is full, you will be able to join any other session.

Final speeches

After the closing remarks, you are invited to an informal networking session with all delegates until 17:30 over tea and coffee.

The conference will official close at 17:30. After the conference has closed, you are invited to join our regular, monthly London social at Retro Bar.

Space has been reserved upstairs and downstairs for the event. The downstairs space is wheelchair accessible.

In this panel session, you will gain an insight into the work practices of different LGBT+ civil servants in how they have navigated their sexuality, gender, and identity throughout the course of their career.

On the panel we are joined by:

• Emily Miles, Chief Executive, Foods Standards Agency
• Jonathon Duff, Regional Director, East of England, Department for Education
• Meera Patel, Senior Policy Advisor, Foreign Policy and National Security Secretariat, Cabinet Office
• Sarah Bee, Registration Officer, His Majesty’s Land Registry

Nigel Patrick, Head of Scotland Team, Union & Constitution Group, Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities is facilitating

An interactive workshop considering the barriers people face to coming out at work and how we can recognise and feel confident addressing inappropriate behaviour and language that could cause barriers to an inclusive workplace.

Led by Derek Bradford, Debt Manager, HM Revenue and Customs and Sandra Quale, HM Revenue and Customs

We know that many LGBT+ people are nervous about security vetting and that this can often be a barrier to roles requiring higher levels of security clearance.

The session will cover the work that has been done to make vetting more inclusive and aims to provide a better understanding of what vetting involves.

The session is open to both those considering applying for jobs that require vetting and those who already hold vetting.

The session will be jointly facilitated by the Civil Service LGBT+ Network and UK Security Vetting.

There will be an opportunity ask questions.

In this presentation, you will learn how a LGBT+ civil servant has implemented an effective data driven change within their organisation and the result it had.

Led by Nic Turner, Senior Diversity and Inclusion Manager, HM Prison and Probation Service.

In this session, you will hear first-hand from Sam des Forges, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Ministry of Defence talking about their role as an LGBT&I champion including why they are a champion, what it means to them, how they actively carry out the role, and what they’ve learnt from doing it.

The conversation will be facilitated by Jason Ghaboos, Deputy Director, Civil Service Inclusive Practice, Cabinet Office.

A presentation on the new Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, with tips on how to make the most of it and what you can do to support the implementation of it.

Led by Laura Shaw, Head of Inclusive Practice, Civil Service HR, Cabinet Office

The BiSpace team will be providing a safe space for Bi, Pan, Queer, Ace/aro and other minority sexual orientations to network across government and build confidence through finding common ground.

Our recent virtual BiSpace events have identified that people have an appetite for informally networking with each other. We will also provide the opportunity to reflect on the importance of out Bi+/Ace+ role models at work and how they create an inclusive space where we can be our authentic selves and thus allow our performance to flourish.

Listening circle facilitated by Sunny Thompson, Internal Engagement Facilitator, Rural Payments Agency and Civil Service LGBT+ Network Vice chair for Bi+ inclusion.

The Civil Service LGBT+ Network will be hosting an in-person listening circle for LGBT+ delegates with an ethnic minority background during the conference. This will be an opportunity to share your experiences and opinions of how being an LGBT+ Ethnic minority have shaped your experience of being a civil servant.

This will be an informal safe space to talk about career development and personal growth and will also be a chance for the network to learn what LGBT+ delegates with an ethnic minority background want from it.

Listening circle facilitated by Marc Fitchett, Head of Finance, Homelessness & Rough Sleeping, Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Civil Service LGBT+ Network Vice-Chair.

The Trans and Non-Binary Inclusion team will provide a safe space for trans, non-binary and genderqueer people to network across government.

We will also provide an opportunity to reflect on the importance of trans and non-binary role models and allies at work and how they create an inclusive environment where we can be our authentic selves and allow people to flourish.

Listening circle facilitated by Alan Edwards, Civil Service LGBT+ Network Vice chair for Trans and non-binary inclusion.

The Civil Service LGBT+ Network will be hosting an in-person listening circle for LGBT+ women during the conference. This will be an opportunity to share your experiences and opinions of how being an LGBT+ women have shaped your experience of being a civil servant.

This will be an informal safe space to talk about career development and personal growth and will also be a chance for the network to learn what LGBT+ women want from it.

The network is passionate about ensuring inclusivity, and we realise that LGBT+ women are often underrepresented at its events.

In this panel session, you will hear from LGBT+ staff network leaders, representatives and members from different departments across all four nations of the UK. They will share their experiences in organising LGBT+ inclusion activities at departmental, local and national levels and how they are working together as One Civil Service.

Representing our LGBT+ colleagues and networks from Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, you will hear from the panel about their individual stories and find out how their networks are run in different parts of the UK.

You will also learn how they overcome geographical barriers to support our LGBT+ colleagues regardless of where they are. The panel will also share some best practices on how joint initiatives (e.g. Pride celebrations) and outcomes have been achieved.

On the panel we are joined by:

• Derek Bradford, HM Revenue and Customs PRISM Glasgow Lead and Civil Service LGBT+ Network Co-Lead for Scotland
• Bethan Cable, Pride in Crown Commercial Service (LGBTQ+) Network Vice Chair and Civil Service LGBT+ Network Co-Lead for Wales
• Cleo Lunt, a:gender Executive Committee
• Aidan Toal, Northern Ireland Civil Service LGBTQ+ Staff Network Co-Chair
• Tiger Strode, a:gender Scotland Representative
• Matthew Walker, Department for Work and Pensions Pride member and Civil Service LGBT+ Network Co-Lead for North West England

Ed, Civil Service LGBT+ Network Vice Chair is facilitating.

The policy profession share how they are helping to improve policy making and public service delivery by considering inclusion throughout the policy process.

Lauren Hill, Equalities Adviser, Policy Profession Unit is the speaker.

Join your colleagues for a rapid mentoring session. You will be given the opportunity to network with a range of peers from different professions and grades, tailored to a specific area of your interest. You never know, you may just find a match!

This session is being led by the Civil Service LGBT+ Network.

A workshop to support civil servants navigate the success profile framework.

Led by Michelle Sher, Secondments Lead, Cabinet Office

An update on the work being led by the Civil Service Inclusive Practice Team on bullying, harassment and discrimination.

Led by Kate Hughes, Senior Inclusive Practice Lead, Civil Service HR, Cabinet Office

In this session, you’ll hear about the benefits of joining the armed forces reserves, and how that can help to take your career in new and interesting directions alongside your Civil Service career.

Major Mike and Ross Woodward are the speakers, Ministry of Defence

He/Him

Assistant Economist, NICS Department of Finance

Staff Officer, Economics

Aidan Toal is Co-Chair of the Northern Ireland Civil Service LGBTQ+ Staff Network. He works alongside the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team to tackle discrimination and ensure NICS is an inclusive employer. Aidan is committed to supporting LGBTQ+ Staff and Allies, embracing intersectionality and ensuring that everyone feels comfortable to bring their full selves to work.

They/Them

Alan is the Civil Service LGBT+ Network Vice Chair for trans and non-binary inclusion. They have been involved in the network since early 2020, when they joined the Bi+ Inclusion Team. At the end of 2021 they were appointed to their current role. Alan’s goal is to ensure that all trans and non-binary civil servants feel included, valued and supported by the Network.

She/Her (hi/ei yn Gymraeg)

Vice Chair, Pride in Crown Commercial Service; Wales organiser, Civil Service LGBT+ Network

SEO, Commercial

Bethan has worked for the Crown Commercial Service (an executive agency of the Cabinet Office) for nearly ten years, in a wide-ranging variety of roles but currently as Research and Digital Content Operations Manager for the Crown Commercial Service. More importantly (at least for this conference!), she is also the founder and current vice chair of our LGBTQ+ network, Pride in CCS, and a regional organiser for the Wales branch of the Civil Service LGBT+ Network. She has worked in the field of I&D (in addition to the ‘day job’) for around four years, specialising in organising and running interesting events – whether that’s a lively in-person social in the best cocktail bar in Cardiff, or raising money for charity through an online Q&A with some real-life LGBTQ+ history icons!

They/Their/ Them

Litigator, HM Revenue Customs

Grade 7, Tax and Legal

Cleo joined HMRC and the Civil Service in 2018, where they quickly managed to get themselves involved with D&I work. They work with PRISM within HMRC providing their support and expertise on a local and national level and are always happy to bring and share their experiences as a queer non-binary person. They also serve on the a:gender executive committee, where they have been an Ordinary Member, Secretary (their current role) and will soon be covering for the Chair while she takes some well-earned leave. In this role Cleo has shared personal stories and talked about exciting grammar facts (including pronouns!) to departments across the government. Not satisfied with all that Cleo also works as an equality rep for ARC and with the LGBT+ network within their department in HMRC (Solicitors Office and Legal Services) where, among other activities, they help organise and run a legendary film and book club.

He/Him

Debt Manager and Team Leader, HM Revenue Customs

Customer Service

Derek is the HMRC LGBT+ PRISM Glasgow Lead and CS Scotland Organiser. He lives near Glasgow with his husband George, their African Grey parrot ‘Mac’ and two cats Dolce & Gabbana. Derek has been employed by HMRC since 1983 and is a manager in Debt Management. He believes it is important to be visible and lead from the front. He is always actively involved in Pride season, leading LGBT+ friends and colleagues at Pride events all over the UK as well as playing an active role in organising events for all key LGBT+ dates.

He/Him

SEO, Science and Engineering

Ed joined the Civil Service in January 2019. He finds it is a very inclusive and diverse place to work for. Edward has previously worked in R&D, Higher Education, the heavy industry, including the steelworks, oil & gas and aviation sectors.

Growing up in a traditional Chinese family, he has had first-hand experiences on some of the challenges and barriers facing LGBT+ individuals from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Over the years, Edward has worked with various LGBT+ staff networks and organisations and has been a LGBT+ champion throughout his career.

He wants to help create a culture within the Civil Service where we can truly be ourselves, value our similarities and appreciate our differences.

She/Her

Chief Executive, Food Standards Agency

Emily Miles has been Chief Executive of the Food Standards Agency since 2019 and a civil servant since the year 2000. She has worked in immigration and policing at the Home Office; in the centre of Government in Downing Street and the Cabinet Office; and on food, farming and environment issues at Defra; and now the FSA. Brexit has been a big part of her professional life since 2016. She lives in South London with Leelu the Labradoodle, and some humans. She is proud of being bi and is a parent to a non-binary teen. She is an active Quaker.

He/Him

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Lead, Freeports Delivery Team, Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities & Vice Chair for Conference, Civil Service LGBT+ Network

Grade 7, Policy Delivery

James joined the civil service in 2018 and has worked on a range of regeneration and levelling up policies. Currently he is the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning lead for Freeports within the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. This to date has involved setting up the evaluation plan for the policy and exploring ways in which we can learn from the data collected. James has been a vice chair of the Civil Service LGBT+ Network since 2019 and led on a number of projects including the collaborative team effort behind the PrideON initiative during the summer of 2020. He took up the role of organising the conference last year.

Civil Service Inclusive Practice, Cabinet Office

Deputy Director

Jason Ghaboos is a Senior Civil Servant in the Cabinet Office focusing on Diversity & Inclusion across the Civil Service. In that role, he leads the Inclusive Practice team, working across Whitehall departments to promulgate best practice on inclusive working.

His focus is to enable the Civil Service to be an exemplar employer through a data-driven, evidence-led and delivery focussed approach.

He has significant operational experience, leading the UKs Immigration Sponsorship Regulatory function at the Home Office prior to joining the Cabinet Office.

Jason has also worked with Murray Edwards College (University of Cambridge) as Bye fellow focusing on workplace culture and gender inclusivity. His participation in the ‘Collaborating with Men’ research has resulted in actions to promote more inclusive working practices in UK organisations.

Director, Net Zero Buildings & Industry, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Jessica has held the post of Director, Net Zero Buildings & Industry in BEIS from September 2021. She was previously Director of Industrial Strategy in BEIS and more recently was leading some of the Department’s work to respond to the COVID pandemic, including as SRO of the COVID Business Grants Programme. Before that, Jessica held various roles in MHCLG, BEIS and Cabinet Office covering a range of economic policy, including on housing and the labour market.  She lives in Kingston-upon-Thames and has two daughters. 

He/Him

Chair of the Civil Service LGBT+ Network; Head of Digital Identity Trust and Governance at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Grade 6, Operational Delivery Policy

John has been a civil servant since 2013. John has been involved with the Civil Service LGBT+ Network since 2013 and became chair in October 2021. He has worked in the Department for Education, Cabinet Office, and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport where he is currently leading work to establish a governing body and trust framework for the digital identity market. In 2021, John’s work on the Civil Service LGBT+ mentoring programme received the Civil Service Award for Developing and Supporting People.

He/Him

Regional Director, East of England, Department for Education

Director

Jonathan is Regional Director for the East of England in the Department for Education. His team works locally across children’s social care, special educational needs, schools and area-based programmes to improve outcomes for children, families and learners. Earlier in his career, Jonathan has also worked on delivery of the academies programme, reforms to teachers’ pay and conditions, legislation for young people aged 16 to 25 with special educational needs, qualifications delivery, curriculum policy, and roles directly supporting Ministers.

She/Her

Senior Inclusive Practice Lead, Civil Service HR, Cabinet Office

Grade 7, Human Resources

Kate is an HR professional working within the Civil Service Inclusive Practice Team (part of Civil Service HR) leading on the work outlined in the Civil Service Diversity & Inclusion Strategy on Bullying Harassment and Discrimination (amongst other things). Prior to this she has held a variety of roles in the Civil Service with a focus on HR and Inclusion. Between 2017 and 2021 she was the Chair of the Civil Service LGBT+ Network having held the Vice-Chair role for four years, and the CPS LGBT Network Chair role for over ten years.

She/Her

Head of Inclusive Practice, Civil Service HR, Cabinet Office

Grade 6

Profession: Human Resources

Laura is a career Civil Servant, predominantly working in a number of different Human Resources roles within the Department for Work and Pensions, Welsh Government, Valuation Office Agency and Cabinet Office. Laura’s passion for Diversity and Inclusion is a longstanding one, sparked at University and reinforced through her various people focussed roles throughout her career. Laura is currently Head of Inclusive Practice in the Cabinet Office, a role where she is at the centre of innovative inclusion work - setting the vision for inclusion across the Civil Service and supporting departments in their ambition to create a great Civil Service for everyone. Laura has an undergraduate degree in Sociology and is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (MCIPD).

She/Her

Equalities Adviser, Policy Profession Unit

HEO, Policy

Lauren works for the Policy Profession Unit as an Equalities Adviser in the Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Team. This team aims to support policy makers across government with designing policies in an inclusive way, including embedding equalities considerations into policy design. It also aims to raise awareness of the importance of having diverse policy teams and the benefits this brings to the policy process.

He/Him

Head of Finance, Homelessness & Rough Sleeping, Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Grade 7, Finance, Project Delivery

Marc heads up the finance team for the Homelessness & Rough Sleeping programme in DLUHC, managing over £2bn over the spending review period to end rough sleeping and reduce homelessness. He is also one of the Vice-Chairs for the Civil Service LGBT+ Network leading on Pride. He led on the PrideON initiative to take the Network’s Pride events online and support our LGBT+ colleagues when marches were cancelled across the country in 2020 due to the pandemic.

He/Him

Debt Management Officer, Department for Work and Pensions

AO, Counter Fraud

Matt is based in Manchester and has been in the Civil Service since October 2017. He has been involved with the Civil Service LGBT+ Network since 2018 organising the Manchester socials and created the Northwest region. Now he is one of three Northwest local organisers, alongside Ross and Bryan, who deliver three socials a month (Blackpool/Preston, Liverpool and Manchester) and a monthly regional newsletter. They organise the Civil Service LGBT+ presence at Pride events and in 2022 covered 8 Prides across 4 counties and in total 30 events over the year. In his spare time Matt makes the rainbow awareness ribbons to promote diversity and inclusion which are worn by civil servants across the country. His favourite quote is from Lily Tomlin which is “I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realised I was somebody.”

Foreign Policy and National Security Secretariat, Senior Policy Advisor, Cabinet Office

Grade 7, Policy

Meera Patel has been working in international and national security policy for 5 years. In her current role she covers the Asia Pacific portfolio in the Cabinet Office National Security Secretariat. Her previous HMG roles have been based in the Department for International Trade, Ministry of Justice and a secondment into the International Secretariat at NATO HQ in Brussels. Outside of work she supports DIY queer performers on the Southeast London scene and was involved in running the queer venue DIY Space for London.

She/Her

Secondments Lead, Cabinet Office

Grade 7, Human Resources

Michelle Sher is a CIPD qualified HR professional who has worked in a variety of HR policy and Learning and Development roles in her (almost) 20 years in the Civil Service. She most recently delivered HR priority reform projects and has just taken up the role of lead for the cross-Civil Service Secondments Unit.

Michelle is passionate about empowering people to reach their potential, she enjoys mentoring and supporting capability building. She has extensive experience of Success Profiles, having worked on their development and implementation, and has particular expertise in the ‘Strengths’ based element of the framework.

They/Them

Senior D&I Manager, HM Prisons and Probation Service

SEO, Human Resources

Nic Turner is a Senior D&I manager in HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS). They entered service in 2006 as a frontline member of staff, became a volunteer in their services LGBTI+ staff network and from 2018 until recently chaired the Pride in Prison & Probation (PiPP) staff network with their LGBTI+ inclusion work being nominated for MoJ Openness & Learning awards and receiving commendation from The Butler Trust.

He/ Him

Head of Scotland Team, Union & Constitution Group
Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities

Grade 6, Policy

Based in the new UK Government Hub in Edinburgh, Nigel Patrick leads DLUHC’s Scotland Team to deliver levelling up funding across the whole of Scotland. In a varied Whitehall career, he has previously had roles in the Cabinet Office, Scotland Office, Ministry of Justice and HM Treasury before joining DLUHC in 2020. An active committee member of the DLUHC LGBT+ Network, Nigel attended Edinburgh and London Pride events this summer.

He/Him

Officer of HMRC & PRISM Network Liverpool Lead, HM Revenue Customs

G7, Tax

Ross started with HMRC in 2014 on their graduate programme. Once completing the course he became more involved in other aspects of HMRC life. In 2019 Ross joined HMRCs PRISM Network, where he is currently the lead rep in the Liverpool region, and the CS LGBT+ Network where he is one of the Local Organisers in the NW. Since joining the CS Network the local organisers in the NW have been busy maintaining a network of engaged people across a whole host of departments. They hold 3 socials a month; Liverpool, Manchester & Blackpool/Preston, as well as advertise awareness days, and events through their newsletter. This year’s pride offering was the biggest the NW has ever seen, with 8 prides attended, as socials or marches. Hitting triple figures in Manchester Pride parade was certainly a highlight for the NW.

He/Him

Humanitarian Assistant Head, Ministry of Defence

Grade 7, Policy

Ross has worked in the Civil Service for 8 years with a career spanning immigration, defence policy, operations and crisis response. Ross is also a reservist in the Royal Air Force and proud to be a champion of inclusion. He was awarded the Civil Service Award for Championing LGBTI Inclusion in 2017 and chaired the MOD’s LGBT+ network between 2016-18. He is proud to serve his country both as a Civil Servant and Reservist.

She/Her

Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Ministry of Defence

In February 2021, Sam was appointed the first ever Ministry of Defence (MOD) Director of Diversity and Inclusion. She provides support and challenge to colleagues across the Whole Force to ensure that Defence truly harnesses the power of difference to drive capability that safeguards our nation’s security and stability. Sam was previously the Director of Assurance, leading a diverse team of professionals who delivered risk, assurance, counter-fraud, anti-corruption and cost management activities across Defence.

Prior to January 2019, Sam was MOD Head of Fraud Defence, leading on the prevention, detection and investigation of fraud and corruption in Defence. Sam worked with cross-Government colleagues to develop and launch the Government Counter Fraud Profession and Functional Standards. She has represented the UK on the Five Eyes Fraud and Anti-Corruption Network and is a regular speaker at NATO Building Integrity events. Sam was the strategic lead for the MOD input on the UK Anti-Corruption Strategy, published in December 2017.

Sam joined the MOD in July 2016 from Network Rail, where she was Head of Business Integrity, developing a proactive and reactive counter fraud and corruption capability and ethical culture.

Prior to joining Network Rail, Sam spent 15 years with Ernst & Young where she led a variety of multi-jurisdictional bribery and corruption investigations, employee fraud investigations, ethical culture programmes and counter fraud governance reviews. During this time, she was seconded to the UK Financial Services Authority Enforcement Division for two years, acting as an Appointed Investigator on a complex, multi-million pound corporate fraud.

Sam is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) and an ICAEW Accredited Forensic Accountant.

Sam is the MOD LGBT+ Champion and Senior Role Model, an advocate for members of the community across Defence, providing strategic guidance and supporting the work of the LGBT+ networks. She was previously the MOD Gender Champion and remains an active supporter of the MOD Gender networks.

HM Revenue Customs

Human Resources

Sandra has worked for HMRC for a lifetime alongside her time in the Army Reserve (Royal Signals and AGC). Sandra has played has and continues to be an active member of a:gender of which she was Chair and a lead in establishing the HMRC PRISM network. Sandra currently works in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team covering Gender-Identity. \

In 2014 Sandra made history (unbeknown) arranged for a Rainbow Flag to be flown from Custom House Belfast to celebrate the annual Pride event. It was the first flag to be flown from a Government Building since the introduction of the Northern Ireland Flag regulations. In July this year Sandra had the honour of presenting the actual flag to the National Museum of Northern Ireland as it is seen as an historical event.

She/Her

Registration Officer, HM Land Registry

AO, Operational Delivery

Working for HM Land Registry in an Operational Delivery role, Sarah Bee joined the Civil Service during lockdown having previously enjoyed a career in quality management and further education. She is on the steering group of HMLRs award winning LGBT+ staff network, The Pride Network, and a member of A:Gender, the independent national network supporting all trans and intersex staff across government. Highlights of her time with HMLR thus far include advising on LGBT+ policy reform and increasing inclusion through educational initiatives. She is no stranger to the stage, although maybe more used to it as a member of various rock bands rather than public speaking. She brings a wealth of experience from her own LGBT+ journey, from supporting others in both a workplace and an educational pastoral setting, and as a parent to her gender diverse daughter.

Internal Engagement Facilitator, Rural Payments Agency

Grade 7

Sunny Thompson is a Vice Chair of the Civil Service LGBT+ Network leading on Bisexual “plus” issues, providing community for bi, pan, queer, ace and other civil servants who do not neatly fit into straight or gay categories.  Sunny stepped up to lead the BiSpace volunteer team last year after several years of being a volunteer. BiSpace runs regular virtual events providing opportunities for members of the community to network, socialise and gain support and education. Sunny has been involved in LGBT+ advocacy since being at Sheffield University in the late 90s. Sunny joined the Civil Service in 2003 and lives in Cumbria with a husband, daughter and two cats.

They/Them

Department for Work and Pensions

EO, Operational Delivery

Tiger is a non-binary, Pansexual person. They have worked in the DWP for the last 4 years and been in liberation for the past 16 years. Currently they are the community engagement officer for a:gender. They also volunteer with many different LGBT+ groups and charities.

There will be a multifaith prayer room within the BEIS conference centre for delegates to use on the day. This room is non-denominational and is accessible to delegates of all faiths, and of no faith, for individual contemplation, prayer or quiet space.

If you have any specific access requirements please email conference@civilservice.lgbt.

We will be using Slido throughout the event to allow you to participate in polls and submit questions to speakers. You can also use it to submit feedback throughout the event.

You can use Slido on any device you have with you, provided you have an active internet connection. GovWifi is available at the venue and we recommend you register for this service before you arrive.

The Slido will be moderated throughout the event. Please remember to follow our standards of behaviour when participating in Slido.

You should use your real name when posting comments or questions.

During the event, we will be using the following conference rooms:

Plenary room

• Room C8 and C9

Breakout rooms

• Room C11
• Room C12
• Room C13
• Room C6/34

A diagram of the venue layout is below.

• After each session, we recommend you make a note of three things you have learnt or can take away to support you with your own personal career development. This can either be mental note, on a notepad, on a mobile phone. Doing so means you can revisit these notes once back in the workplace, to see what action you could take and if you would benefit from setting any new development goals.
• You may wish to share your learning with colleagues in your department. You can most likely do this via an email or within a team meeting. Speak to your line manager or learning and development team in the first instance on how best to share your learning back.
• You may also wish to capture other colleagues work contact details where they have a particular skill or area of expertise that could support you in your development. Please be mindful that not everyone will be able to or will want to share contact details.
• Any resources used on the day will be uploaded to our website or distributed to conference attendees in due course.

Thank you to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for offering their support with the venue for this event.

Thank you to the Civil Service Inclusive Practice team for their support in developing this event and securing the venue.

We would like to thank the volunteers who have organised this event, including:

• James Jefferson, Vice-Chair, Civil Service LGBT+ Conference
• Mark Harrop

Our on the day volunteer logistical team:

• Derek Bradford
• James Reid
• Owen Hussey
• Tim Wheelhouse
• Niall Goulding
• Sam Costelloe
• Eilidh Ogden
• Sandra Quayle
• Stefano O’Callaghan
• Sunny Thompson
• Edward He
• Lyle Pewsey
• Chris Ball
• Marco Anderson
• Matthew Walker
• Lesley Lewis
• Ross Starkie
• Jack Victor

We would also like to thank our guest speakers, panellists and workshop facilitators.