ELGP 2022 Spring Project – LGBTQIA+ Representation in the Boardroom Matters

Our ELGP 2022 spring graduates have created an outstanding project about why LGBTQIA+ Representation in the Boardroom Matters.

There is currently a gap in research on LGBTQIA+ representation on boards with most available research being American focused and based on ASX companies. As there is still a long way to go in having significant LGBTQIA+ representation on boards in general, there is little to no research available to show the benefits of this representation and visibility.

This report endeavours to pull from other research and the proven impacts of diversity more broadly to highlight why it makes good business sense to have LGBTQIA+ identifying people on boards and why this representation in the boardroom matters

Some of the key takeaways for Boards to keep in mind include:

• Global research has shown a mutually reinforcing relationship specifically between the LGBTQIA+ community and economic development through safe, happy, and engaged human capital.
• As the board is responsible for setting the culture within an organisation, it is the board that must ensure that workers feel safe and supported to bring their whole selves into the workplace.
• From a not-for-profit perspective, ensuring an organisation has LGBTQI+ inclusive practices, and has an ESG strategy, makes them a more attractive investment or partnership opportunity for corporate, government and philanthropic funding.
• To connect with the whole community and engage the widest group of customers to an organisation, LGBTQIA+ participation at board level can support more inclusive practices within the workplace, leading to more productive workers and lower labour costs resulting in immediate economic benefits.

Please click here to download and share this project with your network.