Founded in 2022, our LGBTQIA+ network emerged from a collective ambition to build a safe, visible, and empowering space for LGBTQIA+ colleagues and allies across the organisation. What started as a small group of passionate individuals has grown into a proud, vibrant and influential community that actively champions inclusion, drives awareness and opens up space for honest, authentic conversations about gender identity, sexual orientation and the diverse lived experiences of our people.
From day one, we understood that visibility must go beyond statements—it must show up in actions. We became a platform for advocacy, a trusted source of education and a catalyst for change. Through challenging assumptions, addressing stigma and driving conversations that are often avoided, we’ve worked to ensure every LGBTQIA+ person in our business feels seen, heard and respected.

What We’ve Achieved
Since our launch, we’ve delivered meaningful, lasting change across the business:
• Awareness Campaigns – We’ve led impactful and large scale campaigns for Pride Month, Trans Awareness Week, LGBTQIA+ History Month, visibility days and other key dates in the LGBTQIA+ calendar using storytelling, art and lived experiences to educate, spark discussion and build and understanding of challenges faced and what allyship can look like.
• Inclusive Policies – In collaboration with HR and leadership, we’ve reviewed and improved internal policies around gender identity, pronouns, transitioning at work and inclusive language. A key milestone was the development of our comprehensive Trans, Nonbinary and Intersex Policy, providing clear guidance and support for employees and managers alike.
• Safe Spaces & Allyship – We’ve hosted regular panels, forums and workshops to encourage open dialogue, promote allyship and break the silence around topics often overlooked in the workplace.
• Community Building – We’ve created a strong and supportive internal community where members can connect, share and uplift one another. From informal social events to structured peer support, our network fosters belonging and mutual empowerment. We have created spaced for employees to share their experiences of being LGBTQIA+, giving people a voice where they may have previously felt unheard.
• Intersectional Advocacy -We centre intersectionality in everything we do, recognising that LGBTQIA+ identities exist alongside race, disability, faith and other dimensions of diversity. Our work continues to be rooted in equity, amplifying the voices too often left out of the conversation.
• LGBTQIA+ Toolkit – We developed an informative and practical LGBTQIA+ toolkit to support education and inclusion across SPS. This digital resource library includes a glossary of terms, flag representations and guidance on pronouns designed to increase understanding, reduce stigma and provide colleagues with the tools to engage respectfully and confidently. It serves as an essential reference point for building everyday inclusion and supporting a more informed and inclusive workplace culture.
• Inclusive Workshops – Chit Chat – We launched Chit Chat, an informal workshop series designed to create a safe, non-judgemental space for open conversations around LGBTQIA+ topics such as pronouns, identity and allyship. These informal sessions offer colleagues the opportunity to ask questions, share personal experiences and learn from one another in a supportive environment. Whether discussing the use of different pronouns at work, navigating conversations with family members who identify as trans or non-binary, or simply wanting to understand more, Chit Chat has become a valuable forum for building awareness and stronger connections across our workplace.

Looking Ahead
We remain committed to growing our impact, strengthening allyship and continuing to challenge systems and behaviours that marginalise LGBTQIA+ people. We aim to increase education and awareness among our non-LGBTQIA+ colleagues so they too can help create a workplace where everyone feels safe to be their true selves. By encouraging open dialogue and allowing both LGBTQIA+ individuals and those who may not identify as such to ask questions and engage in shared goals, we’ve worked to build understanding and avoid creating silos. Our goal is for everyone at SPS to feel comfortable, informed, and confident in how to support, respect, and listen to our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. Our vision is a workplace where everyone regardless of identity can show up fully, thrive without fear, and know they are valued.

* the attached photo montage is made up of our ERG members and employees