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

[BridgetPhillipsonIsACowardlyJobsworth]

From summer 2025

Another one to watch out for: Stonewall's revamped and relaunched (prior to appointing their new chair) "Proud Employers" scheme.

As part of my trip down the rabbit hole of where the TRAs might go next, Stonewall seem to be doubling down on influencing legislation and business. Part of their strategy is going after the lawmakers in this country. We'll see how long this lasts under their new Chair.

https://www.attitude.co.uk/news/stonewall-unveils-new-approach-and-three-year-strategy-to-educate-motivate-and-inspire-lawmakers-487706/

Approaching its 40th anniversary, as part of the ‘In Courage and Unity, is Hope’ strategy, Stonewall says it will focus on being “pragmatic conveners resisting the rollback of rights for all LGBTQ+ people and advocating for progress with politicians and business leaders”.
^^
It also outlines a continued commitment to legal equality for LGBTQ+ people, stating:
“Together we must educate, motivate, and inspire lawmakers [my bold] to support equality, and continue shaping the legislative and policy landscape to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people.”.

As part of this transition, the charity has begun the search for a new Chair, following Catherine Dixon’s decision to step down.

@BridgetPhillipsonIsACowardlyJobsworth
Thank you for answering, and please don’t worry if what I said is just too confused.

I am not sure exactly what words to use, but I think Kemi Badenoch said that, though it should be fine for the police to have an association of their own where they meet up, say in a pub, there should not be an internal group within the force dedicated to diversity ( race in the context she was speaking of).

If she did say this, I was extrapolating and wondering if Stonewall working with the police,say, or any other public body, would lead to that body fostering an internal nucleus dedicated to the trans branch of diversity in just the way she said causes trouble ( by creating hierarchies of equality rights etc)?

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?

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.

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

So these organisations have learned nothing about safeguarding over the years? They are not aware that Stonewall gave incorrect interpretations of the Law? We need a successful legal case to remind public bodies of the need to be apolitical.

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.

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.

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

And only one county council.

(...so far)