Prior to joining Accenture, I was an English Secondary School Teacher on the Teach First Leadership Development Programme.
I was an out and active LGBT+ role model to students – who were from a socioeconomically deprived background and surrounded by homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying. I worked hard to promote an atmosphere of inclusion and celebrate diversity in a hostile environment and make it safer for all students – some of whom came out to me.
At Teach First, I collaborated with Diversity Role Models and Stonewall to tackle homophobia in school and the local area. I am extremely proud to have developed and delivered Teach First’s first ever teacher training on homophobic bullying at their national Summer Institute (2016) to c.60 qualified teachers. Alongside this, I had a proven track record of strong academic results in my classroom and was graded as an ‘Outstanding’ trainee and was awarded a ‘Distinction’ in my PGCE.
I joined Accenture at entry-level as a Consulting Analyst in October 2016 and I was selected to lead Accenture’s UK Pride network, in addition to my client responsibilities, after less than 12 months on our graduate programme, which represents over 250 LGBT+ colleagues and 3500 Allies (c/30% UK headcount). This role is usually only given to Managers/Senior Managers in the organisation.
Under my leadership over the last 18 months, our committee has grown from 8 members to c.30 members (with a 50% gender balance) who organise related events, communications, campaigns and training across all levels and areas of our business. Never has there been a time where women have been so engaged with the network. My Consulting and extracurricular achievements at Accenture ensured that I was promoted to Management Consultant in December 2018.