Exporting stories from LGBTQ+ businesses

Join this session, in partnership with Pride in Leadership, to learn more about the opportunities and challenges facing LGBTQ+ businesses and be inspired by the successful stories of our export champions!

Recent studies have shown that LGBTQ+ inclusion is known to contribute to drive economic growth. The size and potential of ‘Pink Pound economy’ is undeniable. In the UK, this is worth about £6 billion, the same applying to other like-minded markets across the globe.

Key takeaways from this session:

• The importance of LGBTQ+-led businesses' contribution
• Opportunities and challenges faced
• DBT support

About speakers

Claire Ebrey (she/her), director, On The Level

Claire is co-founder of Pride in Leadership and the founder and director of On the Level, a consultancy focusing on responsible business, diversity and inclusion, membership, partnership and stakeholder engagement.

Matt Haworth (he/him), founder, Reason Digital

Matt is co-founder of Pride in Leadership and the founder and chief executive of Reason Digital.

Joelle Drummond (she/they), founder and director of sales and marketing, Drop Bear

Founded in Swansea in 2019 by married couple Joelle and Sarah Drummond, Drop Bear is the UK's top rated, multi-award winning brewer of non-alcoholic beers. As of 2021, Drop Bear is Wales' first B Corp Brewery, leading the way for sustainable brewing. It has recently attracted over £2 million of investment to build the UK's largest alcohol-free brewery.

Hollie Emery (they/them/theirs), co-founder, Bonsai Collective

Hollie is an experienced producer of video games and co-founder of Bonsai Collective. Their production titles have won multiple BAFTAs and generated tens of millions of pounds in revenue in the UK economy. Hollie is non-binary and passionate about gender diversity.