Earlier on this year, we held an event to discuss the results of our 2021 LGBTQ+ workplace advocacy report—in partnership with YouGov—where we were joined by inspiring panelist, Chloë Davies. Chloë is a proud bisexual woman, mother of two, a creative, global inclusion & belonging consultant, chef and entrepreneur. Her work sees her campaigning for inclusion and equality in social spaces, corporate organisations and the wider community. She spent over 15 years working in retail, artist management and PR before starting her own catering company in 2015.
Chloë’s most recent role was Head of Training & Engagement (Public & Community) for Mygwork - the global recruitment and networking hub for LGBT+ students, graduates, professionals and organisations who believe in true workplace equality.
Chloë volunteers with UK Black Pride (UKBP) as the Head of Finance & Governance, working closely with the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees to help shape the future of UK Black Pride. She is also the Community Lead for the London Queer Fashion Show, an annual showcase of fashion, identity, and expression and is a Trustee for the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre.
She describes herself as a mental health survivor, openly discussing her own journey with depression and mental health and advocates on usualising these conversations both in and outside of the workplace. In all of her work, which takes Chloë around the globe, she aims to further connect those within the community while educating allies to continue disrupting and push for increased visibility, understanding and appreciation of the communities she works to serve.
We think it’s fair to say that there are many, many reasons why Chloë is an esteemed role model for the LGBTQ+ community.
What is your greatest achievement in life?
My sons – Miles & Theo
2. What is your greatest professional achievement?
Oh, that’s a hard one, I would say hosting our Mygwork annual WorkPride conference and meeting almost 20,000 people in that week. 5 Days, 5 themes, over 182 speakers from around the globe and the team put it all together in a month!
3. In what way, if at all, do you believe being a member of the LGBT community has affected the professional opportunities you’ve had?
I am the sum of many things, I’m not just Bi, I’m a Black woman, I’m a parent, I’m a mental health survivor and all of these facets have had an impact on my professional career at some point. Early on in my career, my barriers in the workplace came from my race and my gender, I would say in the last 6 years and working within the LGBT community, the challenges I’ve faced have come from my own community.
4. What positive change have you seen and/or personally managed to affect for the LGBT community over the course of your career?
Positive change I have helped to bring about – usualising our existence in the mainstream, not only within the workplace, my volunteer work and my passion for community engagement. My roles come with a certain level of visibility and I have tried to use this responsibility to help change the world and make it more inclusive for my sons and others like me.
5. What do you hope the near future holds for progress in inclusivity in the communications industry and how can individuals make a difference?
I hope that in the future we see ourselves in abundance, that our differences are celebrated on-screen, in print and openly discussed within society and we can only do this together. By creating space, sharing space and giving up space for each other.
If you’d like to nominate an LGBTQ+ Role Model, or if you’d like to share your own story, please get in touch with us at lgbtq@prca.org.uk.