Today we’re announcing the formation of the Outvertising Council. Led by its Chair, Lord Black of Brentwood (Guy Black), the Council will guide us as we work to make advertising and marketing completely LGBTQ+ inclusive. Guy was the first out gay Conservative peer to sit in the House of Lords and has campaigned on a range of LGBTQ+ issues including equal marriage, gay conversion therapy and criminalisation of homosexuality in the Commonwealth. He was recognised by Pink News as Peer of the Year for his contribution to LGBTQ+ issues in Parliament. He is Deputy Chairman of the Telegraph Group.
“Outvertising’s aim is to ensure that UK advertising is completely LGBTQ+ inclusive. I see positive signs in our advertising output and in our workplaces, but there is still much work to be done. I look forward to working with the team and with the Council on the challenges ahead.”
Joining Lord Black are Jane Luca, Director of Public Affairs at ITV; Diana Tickell, CEO of NABS; Pedro Pina, VP and Head of YouTube, EMEA; Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, “Lady Phyll”, Executive Director of the Kaleidoscope Trust and Co-Founder of UK Black Pride; Adah Parris, Chair, Mental Health First Aid England; Bobbi Pickard, CEO of Trans in the City; Sarah Garrett MBE, CEO of SPM Group; and Leng Montgomery, Consultant.
The Outvertising Council provides governance and strategic guidance to the voluntary organisation, and the full Council membership has also been announced today, comprising LGBTQ+ leaders and allies.