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

And one to watch:

London Metropolitan University

https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/about/centre-for-equity-and-inclusion/external-recognition-and-charter-marks/stonewall-proud-employers/

Proud Employers at London Met

London Met is dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities for all, including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer or another sexual minority. We are committed to participating in Proud Employers and applied for recognition in July 2026. [my bold]

And one possible: University of East London. Needs more research.

Only one found since the last update:
(the words "scraping" and "barrel" are coming to mind at this point)

Fitch Group (credit and risk)
https://www.fitch.group/

https://mygwork.com/news/fitch-group-lgbtq-inclusive-finance-jobs-manchester

Fitch's LGBTQ+ employee resource group is the Fitch Pride Network, and it was the company's first ERG — which tells you something about sequencing. It now sits alongside six others: BALANCE, EMBRACE, Green Wave, InspirAsian, the Women's Network, and Working Parents & Caregivers. As of 2025, half of all Fitch employees are engaged with at least one ERG, a participation rate most companies would envy....

In the UK it is a Stonewall Proud Employer Champion and appeared on Stonewall's Top 100 Employers list. In Asia it holds Silver in the 2025 Hong Kong LGBTQ+ Inclusion Index....

I am more convinced than ever that all the organizations on the current Proud Employers list were directed to Stonewall by activist insiders, rather than Stonewall seeking out employers to sign up. (Just my deduction)

It is, and a disparate group as well. It looks almost as though each of these employers has perhaps one or two acolytes who have pushed for inclusion in the new scheme. Rather than Stonewall approaching and courting employers? Well, that's how it looks to me.

Perhaps we now know where the activists are!

I'll check again in a few weeks.

Update: no new Stonewall Proud Employers found since 14 August 2026.

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

Experian

Update: no "Proud Employer" orgs to add to the list for the past two weeks.
A very few are still using the old "Diversity Champion" blurb on their employment literature. Probably an oversight.

Dare I surmise that scheme is, if not dying a death, definitely not taking off for Stonewall at all?

We'll see if it picks up in September.

@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.