HSBC UK boss heads up LGBT business list
The head of UK banking at HSBC has topped the OUTstanding in Business awards, published by the Financial Times on Tuesday.
Antonio Simoes, was atop the Business Top 50 list, and was followed by Beth Brook of consultancy EY, and then Paul Reed of BP Integrated Supply and Trading.
The list is decided in accordane with five criteria, described by the FT as “including their seniority and influence, the extent to which they are a role model for others, and how much they contribute to the LGBT anti-discrimination cause.”
The founder and chief executive of OUTstanding in Business, Suki Sandhu told the FT: “We want to shine a light on those executives who are not only LGBT, but who are willing to act as champions of diversity in their companies and in business.
“The Top 50 OUTstanding in Business List is proof that LGBT executives are making a huge difference and contribution to the economy. It demonstrates that you can come out and succeed professionally.”
He went on to say that Simoes scored highly in every criteria: “He’s a chief executive, out in financial services, has driven the diversity agenda in HSBC, challenges stereotypes and won a diversity leader of the year award.”
Lord Browne, the former BP chief executive, and current partner of Riverstone Holdings, is on the OUTstanding advisory panel. He said: “A list of successful gay businessmen will not remove the barriers that keep gay men and lesbians in the closet. But it will demonstrate to them that it is possible to come out and succeed.
“Gay people need positive role models like anyone else. Leaders who happen to be gay can inspire a new generation simply by being open and being comfortable with who they are.”
The top ten is avialable to view below.
1. Antonio Simoes – Head of banking for the UK and head of retail banking and wealth management for Europe at HSBC
2 Beth Brooke – Global vice-chair, public policy at EY
3 Paul Reed – Chief executive, BP Integrated Supply and Trading
4. Joseph Evangelisti – Chief communications officer, JPMorgan Chase
5. Lord Allen of Kensington – Chairman and non-executive director, 2 Sisters Food Group, ISS, Global Radio, Endemol
6. Claudia Brind-Woody – Vice-president and managing director, global intellectual property licensing at IBM
7. Colin Walsh – Executive vice-president, proprietary card services at American Express
8. Robert Hanson – Chief executive, American Eagle Outfitters
9. Anthony Watson – Managing director and chief information officer, Europe Middle East retail and business banking, Barclays Bank
10. Mary Jo Abler – President, 3M Unitek, the dentistry and orthodontics business
