Inga Beale tops list of inspriring LGBT chiefs

Also featured in the top 100 power list is the highest ever ranking transgender executive, Martine Rothblat

(EPA)

Inga Beale, the chief executive of the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, has topped a list of the world’s most inspiring LGBT business executives, as the first openly bisexual person to take the No 1 spot.

Ms Beale, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the insurance sector, is also the first ever female to top the 100 power list, compiled by not-for-profit business network OUTstanding.

Last year Christopher Bailey, the chief executive of the British design house Burberry, won the title.

“I am proud of the commitment of Lloyd’s and the London insurance market to celebrate diversity and ensure we are an attractive, globally relevant and inclusive sector,” Ms Beale said. At the same time, OUTstanding also made a list of the top 30 “allies”. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s founder, was awarded the No 1 position for his work championing LGBT at the social network company. Sir Richard Branson was No 2.

The lists, released today, rank business leaders on how they help to crush negative stereotypes and improve the diversity of boardrooms.

Also featured in the top 100 power list is the highest ever ranking transgender executive, Martine Rothblatt, who is at No 4. She is the chief executive of the US drug-maker United Therapeutics.

Others in the top 10 included Alan Joyce, the gay chief executive of the airline Qantas, and Burberry’s Mr Bailey. Suki Sandhu, the chief executive and founder of OUTstanding, said: “This year we have 42 brand new additions to the top 100 alone. I hope it shows people are both more comfortable about being their true selves at work, and also that they see the value of ‘going public’ in terms of inspiring the next generation of leaders.”

Business leaders from the banking sector featured heavily in the top 100, accounting for more than 15 places. Companies named included HSBC, Citi, Coutts and Lloyds Banking Group. Mr Sandhu also praised the professional services and retail industries for embracing diversity. But, he added, “other [sectors] that have a long way to go are property and engineering where there is still a dominant white, male, heterosexual culture.”

Only five representatives from property companies made the cut. However, one of those, David Mann, a partner at the consultancy Tuffin Ferraby Taylor and co-founder of the LGBT networking forum Freehold, said the industry is starting to get more accepting: “The traditional and stuffy image of property is being challenged, as businesses understand the need to create environments where people can be themselves,” he said. “Diversity is good for business and good for the bottom line.”

While the allies and top 100 lists celebrate senior business individuals, OUTstanding has for the first time produced a list on future leader role models. It was topped by Aritha Wickramasinghe, an associate at law firm K&L Gates.

Those on the lists were nominated by colleagues and then judged by a panel including Harriet Green, who is leading two new divisions for technology company IBM.

Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, topped the list of 30 ‘allies’ on the OUTstanding list

To nominate someone for The Independent on Sunday Rainbow List, which celebrates influential LBGTI people, please go to independent.co.uk/rainbowlist