Board Chairpersons and Directors will discuss the business and fiduciary drivers of LGBT equality for multinational corporations:
- Jane Barker, Chairman, Marsh Ltd and Mercer Ltd, UK
- Noreen Doyle, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors and Lead Independent Director, Credit Suisse
- Christopher “Kip” Forbes, Vice Chairman Forbes, Inc.
- Malcolm Sweeting, Senior Partner, Clifford Chance
- Air Marshal Sir David Walker, KCVO OBE DL
Fireside chat with Irish business leaders and political leaders of the Yes Ireland campaign:
- Tiernan Brady, Political Director, Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN)
- Margot Slattery, Managing Director of Sodexo Ireland
- Leo Varadkar, Minister of Health, Ireland
More than one hundred senior European business leaders will gather today at the Out Leadership: Europe 2015 LGBT Summit (formerly known as Out on the Street), hosted by Credit Suisse and Clifford Chance at Credit Suisse’s offices in London (20 Columbus Courtyard, Canary Wharf, London E14 4DA).
“Credit Suisse is proud to host Out Leadership in Europe this year,” said Gaël de Boissard, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer of the EMEA Region, Credit Suisse. “We encourage all participants to take what they learn back to their businesses, and use this knowledge to drive further positive change. The effects will ripple beyond the business sector to influence political agendas, attitudes within society and more.”
“It is an honour to host and to participate in today’s important discussions,” said Malcolm Sweeting, Senior Partner, Clifford Chance. “Whether you look at it from a moral or economic point of view, pursuing LGBT equality is clearly the right thing to do. While civil rights movements are making great strides, they cannot do it alone.”
“We are proud to partner with Clifford Chance and Credit Suisse at this pivotal moment. Executives who understand that LGBT inclusion creates positive business benefits now have the opportunity to learn from the success of campaigns for marriage equality in Europe and the United States,” said Todd Sears, Founder and Principal, Out Leadership. “Business leaders can now pivot from marriage equality’s success to shape new campaigns to eliminate de jure and de facto employment discrimination against LGBT people – because it’s good for business.”
“40 years ago, it was impossible to imagine that we’d be having this conversation today,” said Christopher “Kip” Forbes, Vice Chairman Forbes, Inc. “Global business has played an invaluable role as LGBT people have claimed their civil rights over the decades, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to work with Out Leadership to discuss the significant impact that openly LGBT senior executives and board members can have on corporate governance and performance.”