It’s Pride month, and our CEO, Warren Mead, has shared his ambitions to build a truly inclusive accountancy business in key industry magazine: Accountancy Daily.
In the piece, Warren outlines how, with Pride underway, this is the perfect time to explore how he wants young LGBTQIA+ people to find it easier to work in accountancy than he did 30 years ago.
However, he was saddened to read that even today, less than half of LGBTQIA+ workers in the UK feel comfortable being ‘out’ at work, and more than a quarter avoid discussing their sexuality or gender identity altogether.
Warren believes we can all make it easier for people at work by using inclusive language and not making assumptions. Ask open questions. A great question for building rapport with clients is ‘What does your home life look like?’ rather than ‘Are you married?’
Sadly, we still live in a world where colleagues may conceal their sexuality or gender identity, fearing that being out might lead to the loss of a client. Warren says, “My promise to my colleagues at Sumer, is this; I would rather lose business than accommodate, overlook, or ignore homophobia, transphobia, or any other form of prejudice. You will always have my support in these situations.”
He also pledges that as Sumer grows, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) will remain a priority. As new firms are welcomed to the group, Sumer will ensure our policies support all colleagues. For example, our employee-led ‘belonging’ networks’ will share the latest thinking and offer peer support.
At Sumer, we commit to building an even more inclusive culture. All our colleagues and clients will find a welcoming and supportive environment, especially our LGBTQIA+ community.
And in conclusion, this Pride, be your own, fabulous, self.
