From campus to career: a LinkedIn Live conversation on LGBTQ+ people in corporate UK

ELBA was delighted to be part of a unique LinkedIn Live event sponsored by University of East London’s Office for Institutional Equity (OIE) and hosted on their Docklands Campus on 14 July 2025.

The event highlighted the importance of representation and visibility for members of the LGBTQ+ community in corporate UK and introduced an exciting employability initiative for LGBTQ+ students and graduates of UEL in collaboration between ELBA and UEL.

Left to right: Stephen Best from SMBC, Samie John from ELBA, Banjo Aromolaran from UEL and Vincent Ankrah from T.Rowe Price.

Banjo Aromolaran, Senior Lecturer and Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ staff network at UEL hosted the livestreamed event and the panel of esteemed guests included Vincent Ankrah, Strategic HR Leader and Regional Chair of Pride Network at T. Rowe Price, Samie John, Project Manager at ELBA and SMBC’s Executive Director and Head of Product Management and Digitisation Stephen Best.

The conversation was lively and full of useful insights that showcased the work being done to ensure LGBTQ+ community members can bring their whole self to work. Topics included queer role models, being yourself, allyship and the importance of feeling safe. Stephen shared the employee brand pillars at SMBC which struck a chord: “Be yourself. Build your career. Make a difference.”

This event forms part of the ELBA Equibalance initiative funded by Barings, that aims to equip black and minoritised students aged 16-18 with the knowledge, skills and experience required to achieve their career ambitions.

After five months’ preparation by the University and ELBA, we were pleased to deliver this event using a new platform. We would like to thank everyone who took part, including the guests, Banjo, the project funders, the UEL tech team who made it happen on the day and the Office for Institutional Equity.

The engagement and insights shared truly underscore the importance of these conversations. ELBA remains committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable employment landscape for all.

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