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# Government appoints first LGBTQ+ business champion
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/government-appoints-first-lgbtq-business-champion/
- Published: 2021-09-10T11:12:46.000Z
- Updated: 2021-09-10T09:52:48.000Z
- Description: Iain Anderson, executive chairman of public relations firm Cicero, has been appointed as the UK’s first LGBTQ+ business champion.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, LGBTQ, Liz Truss, Stonewall, UK

Iain Anderson, executive chairman of public relations firm Cicero, has been appointed as the UK’s first LGBTQ+ business champion, meaning that he will be creating strategies to improve LGBTQ+ equality in small businesses across the country. Anderson is a Stonewall ambassador and was appointed by equalities minister Liz Truss in an effort to *“build a bridge”* between the LGBTQ+ community and the government after its [advisory panel ](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/uk-government-disbands-lgbtq-advisory-panel/)disbanded earlier this year.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lgbt-workplace-employee-1.jpg)

Speaking to the [*BBC*](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58503264?ref=scenemag.co.uk), Anderson explained that although the UK has *“come a long way”*, there is *“still a lot of prejudice and discrimination out there”*. He continued: *“If businesses see me, and in turn government, putting in place tangible ways to allow LGBTQ+ people to be themselves, they’ll understand that this is a priority area and do more about it.”* His current plans are to *“buddy-up”* bigger, more LGBTQ+ inclusive companies with smaller firms to help provide a business example.

Robbie de Santos, Stonewall’s director of communications, said that the appointment of Anderson is a *“really important move”*, as many LGBTQ+ people do not come out at work due to fear of discrimination. He added: “\[Anderson’s appointment is\] *a welcome sign the government has appointed someone specifically to look at this. If you think about how much time we spend at work, it’s really key.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/lgbt-inclusive-workplace-1.jpg)