'Educate, motivate, and inspire lawmakers' - Stonewall's New 'Proud Employers' scheme and strategy

@KnottyAuty @TwoLoonsAndASprout
This is not coming up under the new Proud Employers scheme, however, they are still advertising themselves as a Stonewall Diversity Champion. Don't know, this might be an oversight, but the job ad was published on 22 July 2026:

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9271-26-0268

We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and consistently. We are proud to be accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, a member of Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.We have active and Executive supported BAME, LGBT+ and Allies, Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions and Women's staff networks. [my bold]

Stonewall's Proud Employers scheme

Only one found today:

Experian UK

Our world is built on data. It’s all around us, growing in power and influence every day. We work to turn that data into something meaningful. We gather, analyse, combine and process it to help people and organisations achieve their goals – whether that means planning for a secure future or getting to know your customers better.
We believe data has the power to change lives. By helping people and organisations make the most of their data, we can make a positive difference to our society and communities.
https://www.experian.co.uk/about-us/index

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWOZROlFtfE/

23 March 2026
18 w
We’ve been recognised as a Proud Employer 🌈

We’re proud to share that we’ve been accredited as a @stonewalluk Proud Employer Champion.

This recognition reflects the progress we’re making to create a more inclusive, supportive workplace for LGBTQ+ colleagues — and it’s a great moment to celebrate the work happening across our teams. We can't wait to join other Proud Employers at the Proud Employers Summit in April. A brilliant opportunity to learn, share and keep building on what we’ve achieved together. 🌈 #ExperianUK #ProudEmployer #uniquleyexperian

Update: no "Proud Employer" orgs to add to the list this week. Strange.

Does this mean we've found them all already? (doubtful)

Does this mean that those that have achieved "Proud Employer" status are keeping it under wraps? (unlikely)

I am suspicious of West London NHS Trust, due to something I saw on another thread. But, there's nothing conclusive yet.

I shall check again next week.

They're clearly having some financial difficulties, so who knows how long they will continue to be in a position to "motivate and inspire"?

Stonewall Proud Employers list
(what I have found so far)

Delta Housing (formerly Estuary Housing Association)
St Mungo's (charity)

Close Brothers (specialist banking grou)
Trafalgar House (third-party pensions administration services)

Eversheds Sunderland (law firm)
Osborne Clarke (international law firm)
Pennington Manches Cooper (law firm)
TLT (national law firm)
Weightmans (law firm)
Womble, Bond, Dickinson (international law firm)

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Central and Northwest London NHS Foundation Trust
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Exeter University
Northumbria University
The James Hutton Institute (Scotland)
University of Brighton
University of Derby
University of Edinburgh
University of Greenwich
University of Huddersfield
University of Northampton

Alstom (major supplier of trains, signalling and infrastructure in the UK)
EMCOR UK, now part of OCS
Northern Gas Networks
NHBC
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Vale of Glamorgan Council

B&Q
Knight Frank - realtors
Superdrug
Teach First
Tesco Plc
Vodafone/Three
Whitbread Plc

Womble, Bond, Dickinson - international law firm
https://www.womblebonddickinson.com/uk/about/responsible-business/diversity-and-inclusion

Celebrating our progress
Our work has been recognised and accredited by a number of organisations, and our memberships are carefully chosen to enhance our knowledge and support our people. Below is a snapshot of our accreditations and memberships:

• Stonewall Proud Employer Leader
• Disability Confident Leader
• Mansfield Rule Certified
• Business Disability Forum Member
• Hidden Disability Sunflower Scheme.

University of Edinburgh

https://equality-diversity.ed.ac.uk/inclusion-at-edinburgh/lgbt-equality

Strategy, Governance and Charters

The University follows established charters and has set up groups and strategies to integrate EDI into everything it does.
LGBT+ Sub-Group
Stonewall: Proud Employers
More on governance and compliance

I suppose the "good" news is that I've found only three NHS trusts so far.

And only one county council.

(...so far)

St Mungo's
https://www.mungos.org/blog/st-mungos-recognised-as-stonewall-trailblazer/

March 10, 2026
Blog
St Mungo’s are delighted to have been accredited by Stonewall as a Trailblazer organisation. With an exceptional score placing us firmly among the UK’s leading organisations for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, this is the highest level possible in Stonewall’s new Proud Employers Accreditation scheme.

Vodafone/Three
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/vodafonethree_stonewallproudemployers-vodafonethree-activity-7440065292355100673-kH3H

We’re proud to have been recognised as a Trailblazer in the Stonewall Proud Employers Accreditation, the highest level of recognition in the programme.

NHBC
https://www.nhbc.co.uk/careers/diversity

We are the UK’s leading independent provider of warranty and insurance for new-build homes.

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) strategy is focused on providing a shared direction and commitment for the organisation to respect and value our diverse workforce and continue to build a more inclusive workplace.

As part of our continued commitment to creating an inclusive workplace for all, we are a Stonewall Proud Employer.

Whitbread Plc
Whitbread is the owner of Premier Inn, the UK’s biggest hotel brand, with a growing presence in Germany, offering quality accommodation at affordable prices.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/whitbread_weve-been-benchmarking-our-progress-driving-activity-7452959489806209024-5j8i

We've been benchmarking our progress driving LGBTQIA+ inclusion with Stonewall for over four years, so we're really proud to achieve this accreditation 🌈
I’m incredibly pleased to share that Whitbread has been accredited as a Leading Employer in the Stonewall Proud Employers Accreditation Scheme.

Superdrug
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/superdrug_superdrug-whereyoucanbeyou-stonewall-activity-7460290938750447616-8LNa

At Superdrug and Savers Health Home & Beauty, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We’re so incredibly proud to be recognised as a Champion Employer in Stonewall’s Proud Employers Accreditation Scheme!

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/about/equality-and-diversity/

At SFRS we believe inclusion matters, for people, for performance, and for long-term success. We're proud to be a Proud Employer.
Proud Employers is designed to help build truly inclusive workplaces where LGBTQ+ people are equally safe, protected and heard. We’re committed to creating a safe and equal workplace for LGBTQ+ people.

Vale of Glamorgan Council
https://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/our_council/jobs/Diversity-and-Inclusion.aspx

We are a member of the Stonewall Proud Employers scheme.

We use the Proud Employers scheme to deepen our understanding of inclusive workplace practices - particularly those that support our LGBTQ+ colleagues - and to benchmark our progress. Any actions we take as a result are aligned with our corporate plans and core values.

We are pleased to share that Stonewall has accredited us as a Champion under its Proud Employers scheme in 2026, awarding us a score of 122 out of 200, which places us at the second tier of accreditation.

B&Q
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/b%26q_togetherwecan-lgbtq-stonewall-activity-7450943067240615936-amqy

Last week [2months ago], our Wellness & Inclusion Partner, Deb Garrett, joined other UK employers at Stonewall’s Proud Employers Summit in London to share learning and best practice from this year’s accreditation programme. This marks the third year our Pride @B&Q colleague network has supported our participation in the Proud Employers Accreditation, and we’re proud to have been recognised as a Champion Proud Employer.

Northumbria University
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/equality-and-diversity/lgbtq/

At Northumbria University, we believe inclusion matters, for people, for performance, and for long-term success. We're proud to be a Proud Employer. Proud Employers is designed to help build truly inclusive workplaces where LGBTQ+ people are equally safe, protected and heard. We’re committed to creating a safe and equal workplace for LGBTQ+ people.

Knight Frank - realtors
https://www.knightfrank.com/about/diversity-equity-inclusion/lgbtq

We’re accredited as a Stonewall Proud Employer
We are proud to have been accredited as a Champion Employer in the Proud Employers Accreditation Scheme. Achieving this status is a signal of the importance that we, as an organisation, place on inclusion.
Achieving accreditation as a Champion Employer means that we are demonstrating consistent success and are influencing others through example. Our actions are taking root and having a growing impact on LGBTQ+ inclusion in our workplace.

A couple of them (universities, if I remember correctly) are "roll-over" from the Workplace Equality Index. The others, well, I imagine they really haven't given it much thought. Stonewall, if they have learned anything, will probably be more wary of providing anything even resembling legal advice now. We'll see.

I find it "interesting" that the Proud Employers list is not on Stonewall's public-facing webpages. Perhaps there really aren't many on the list, or perhaps they don't want the public to know who is on their list. But, they haven't been preventing their "devotees" from publicly announcing their membership, which is how I've found them.

Stonewall Proud Employers list
(what I have found so far)

So far, it's a bit thin, but I'm sure there will be others.

EMCOR UK, now part of OCS

Delta Housing, formerly Estuary Housing Association

Close Brothers - specialist banking group
Trafalgar House - third-party pensions administration services

Weightmans (law firm)
Pennington Manches Cooper (law firm)
TLT (national law firm)
Osborne Clarke (international law firm)
Eversheds Sunderland (law firm)

Central and Northwest London NHS Foundation Trust

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

University of Greenwich
University of Brighton
The James Hutton Institute (Scotland)
Exeter University
University of Huddersfield
University of Derby
University of Northampton

Alstom - major supplier of trains, signalling and infrastructure in the UK

Northern Gas Networks

Tesco Plc

Teach First

Tesco Plc
Pride
In 2026, we were accredited Stonewall Proud Employer, achieving Trailblazer status

Teach First
We're delighted to share that we’ve been awarded Champion status in Stonewall's Proud Employers accreditation! This is a fantastic achievement and a real celebration of the policies, culture, and… | Teach First

We're delighted to share that we’ve been awarded Champion status in Stonewall's Proud Employers accreditation!

Eversheds Sunderland

We are delighted to announce we have been awarded Leading Employer status as part of Stonewall’s Proud Employer accreditation. Being a Leading Employer means that we are setting the standard on LGBTQ+ inclusion in our workplace, and are recognized for making impressive, consistent, and wide-reaching impact.

University of Huddersfield

LGBTQ+ - University of Huddersfield

[think this is just a continuation, but they also are linking to Stonewall's Proud Employers job site]

Stonewall Diversity Champion
The University of Huddersfield is proud to have become a Stonewall Global Diversity Champion. Stonewall is Europe’s largest lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) rights charity.

University of Derby
#proudtobederby #trailblazeremployer #stonewall #inclusiveworkplace #lgbtqinclusion #belongingatwork #recruitment #workatderby #derbyuni | University of Derby Careers
We’re incredibly proud to share that the University of Derby has been accredited as a Trailblazing Employer in Stonewall’s Proud Employers Accreditation Scheme - the highest level of recognition available⭐

University of Northampton
https://www.northampton.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-edi-priorities-2026-2030.pdf

Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Priorities 2026-2030

Osborne Clarke

#responsiblebusiness #inclusion #proudemployers #stonewall #ocpride | Osborne Clarke - UK

Osborne Clarke has been named a Leading Employer in the Stonewall Proud Employers Accreditation.

I see, well, if she did say that, I suppose there would have to be an internal "Stonewall Group" specifically, wouldn't there, to be discouraged or even banned? Rather than, say, an internal LGBTQwhatever group, because if you're not allowed the LGBTQwhatever group, then I suppose you wouldn't be allowed to have a SEEN group either? Not sure if that's what she meant?

Sorry, @ScrollingLeavesI missed your post first time around. Not entirely sure what you meant? Did you mean Stonewall as an internal faction or Stonewall encouraging internal division?

A bit of news for those wondering about the HE sector and the new Stonewall Proud Employers scheme:

Imperial College

https://felixonline.co.uk/articles/imperial-plans-to-withdraw-from-stonewall-membership-over-free-speech-concerns/

Update 27 November 2025: Imperial has confirmed they will not be seeking Proud Employers accreditation this year.

A source familiar with the matter told Felix that Imperial is reconsidering its membership of Stonewall Proud Employers scheme after several years, and is likely to withdraw from its accreditation.
The Proud Employers Accreditation scheme is an opportunity for employers to get feedback on their LGBTQ+ policy and receive a rating. The membership, which is distinct from the accreditation, gives staff access to extra support from Stonewall, one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ rights organisations, and more feedback on submissions for accreditation. Imperial joined Stonewall in 2005.

…

In April [2025], the Supreme Court of the UK issued a judgement on the meaning of sex for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010. Following guidance from the EHRC and conversations with the Office for Students, Imperial revised its policies about trans+ people that might have inadvertently restricted free speech and removed the section about the legal framework supporting trans rights.

This year, the College has renewed its Stonewall membership but is not planning to submit for accreditation due to concerns about free speech, a source familiar with the matter explained.

Imperial College Union response:
https://eactivities.union.ic.ac.uk/upfiles/committeemeetingpaper/6990

https://felixonline.co.uk/articles/union-council-report/

[16 January 2026]

During the last Union Council meeting, which took place on Tuesday 9th December, 2025, four papers were approved. Felix breaks down their content.
^^
1 - ICU’s Role Supporting the Renewal of Imperial’s Stonewall Membership
Imperial has been a member of Stonewall, one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ rights organisations, since 2005. Their Proud Employers Accreditation scheme, which is distinct from membership, provides employers that subscribe with a “flexible framework” to get feedback on their LGBTQ+ policy.

Imperial is not seeking Stonewall Proud Employers accreditation this year, and, according to a source familiar with the matter, is reconsidering its membership of the organisation for the 2026-27 academic year.