About us
Welcome to Pride in Leadership,
The UK's LGBTQ+ leadership community
Our website is here - Pride In Leadership - and we run face to face and online events to ELEVATE, CONNECT and SUPPORT LGBTQ+ business leaders and make them more visible.
If you're in the North of England, are leading an organisation and are LGBT+ and would like to meet other leaders/directors (and their allies) then come along to our events.
Upcoming events
2
A Conversation with David Holdsworth, Chief Executive of the Charity Commission
Location not specified yetJoin us in Manchester on 26 February 2026 for an evening of discussion and networking - with food and drink provided.
Join LGBTQ+ business leaders for this special evening, sponsored by Shoosmiths.
We will be talking to David Holdsworth, Chief Executive of the Charity Commission. In this ‘fireside chat’ we will discuss David’s own career, leadership lessons, his experiences as an LGBTQ+ leader, and the role of charities in helping advance gender and LGBTQ+ rights over time.
This event is FREE to attend.
Book your place now
Running order- 5.30pm | Registration, with welcome drink and networking
- 6.10pm | Introduction from Pride in Leadership.
- 6.15pm | Conversation with David Holdsworth
- 7.15pm | Networking with food and drink
- 8.30pm | Event closes
Venue
Shoosmiths
The XYZ Building
2 Hardman Boulevard
Spinningfields
Manchester
M3 3AZ
Book your place now
About David
David Holdsworth was born and raised in Liverpool where he met his husband 15 years ago. They married in California 9 years
ago.
He was appointed as Chief Executive of the Charity Commission in February 2024. Prior to that, David served as Chief Executive Officer of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), the UK’s biosecurity agency responsible for protecting the UK from zoonotic disease (those that can move from animals to humans) as well as pests and plant disease.
Previously, David was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO), an executive agency of UK Government responsible for intellectual property rights in the UK, where he had responsibility for delivery, policy and tribunals in relation to UK intellectual property rights, as well as representing the UK at international bodies.
Book your place nowSponsored by
5 attendees
Online training programme for LGBTQ+ professionals
Location not specified yet### Breaking Barriers: A new Open Training programme supporting LGBTQ+ professionals to grow with confidence and purpose.
Details and pricing are here - LGBTQ+ Open Courses | Advance with Confidence — Enroll Today — On The Level
Most LGBTQ+ professionals report facing some barriers to their career progression. Pride in Leadership’s national Barriers to LGBTQ+ Career Progression report, based on insights from over 1,000 people across the UK, found that 85% had experienced at least one major barrier – from lack of confidence to experiences of bias and exclusion. More than half said being LGBTQ+ had shaped their career choices, often prioritising comfort over ambition. Confidence, courage and authenticity emerged as the key factors influencing progression.
Breaking Barriers turns those findings into action. This open, online training programme gives LGBTQ+ professionals the space, skills and confidence to progress their careers with authenticity and purpose. Drawing directly on the data, it explores the challenges many LGBTQ+ people face at work and equips participants to navigate organisational systems, build confidence, strengthen networks and thrive.
Participants can attend individual sessions or complete the full programme to gain a Certificate of Achievement.
All participants are also encouraged to continue their journey through the Pride in Leadership Mentoring platform, a free national mentoring network that connects LGBTQ+ professionals and allies across sectors.2 attendees
Past events
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