A number of senior executives from across the charity sector have been named as LGBT+ plus role models in a new list designed to celebrate diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

A list compiled by membership group OUTstanding, in conjunction with the Financial Times, revealed Antonio Zappulla, chief operating officer of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, as the number one LGBT+ senior executive in the charity and public sector.

Among the 30 LGBT+ public sector executive role models, seven charity sector individuals were named, with Zappulla topping the list.

Zappulla is an outspoken supporter of the business case for LGBT+ inclusion and ranked fourth in Outstanding’s 2017 LGBT executive role model list. He co-chairs Pride at Work, the LGBT network at Thomson Reuters and sits on the boards of All Out and Out in Business at the London Business School.

Lee Marshall, who is the co-founder of UK LGBT charity Stonewall landed in at number five. He is currently chief of staff at the Church of England Pensions Board and chair of anti-bullying charity The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation.

Seventh place was awarded to Carole Anderson, head of strategy and performance at hospital charity Golden Jubilee Foundation. Anderson helped to organise the “largest ever” group of NHS staff to march for Pride Glasgow 2018.

Tony Lloyd, CEO of charity ADHD Foundation fell in at number 11 for his work as a consultant for the Merseyside police on the inclusion and recruitment of more LGBT+ officers.

In 22nd place was Gemma Bull, funding strategy director at the Big Lottery Fund; Ian Green, chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust was 24th, while Polly Shuttle, executive fundraising director at Together for Short Lives, was 27th.

The list features a number of executives from across both charity and public sectors and recognises the work done across the globe to promote diversity and inclusivity.

Suki Sandhu, founder and CEO, INvolve, said: “Our sixth OUTstanding lists are our most international and diverse ever. They feature executives representing 21 countries around the world – from Ghana to Germany and from India to Israel.

"We’re so proud to see so many senior and future leaders recognised as role models for their work driving cultural change and creating environments where everyone can succeed. Everyone – regardless of gender, sexuality or ethnicity - benefits from a level playing field where people feel able to bring their whole selves to work.”

The full list of LGBT+ public sector executive role models can be viewed here.

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