Hotel Manager - Premier Inn Birmingham

“I'm delighted and humbled to be featured in this year's top 10. It's great to be able to continue to support LGBTQ+ inclusion within the hospitality sector and make it a place where everyone feels they belong.”

Director Sales & Marketing - Corinthia London

“I am incredibly proud to be selected as one of Checking-IN’s 10 LGBTQ+ Hospitality Champions this year. I feel very grateful to all those people in our industry and beyond, who spoke up and walked a brave path, to enable me to be in a position where I live and work as my authentic self. Today, I want to be able to carry on that journey and support others in our community, to feel proud of themselves and achieve their full potential.”

Director - Zodiac Bar & Club Z

"First and foremost, raising trans visibility/entrepreneurship and being an independent, trans owned and run venue gives me so much pleasure in creating a fun and safe space for the entire LGBTQ+ spectrum.

It's also equally important to employ members of the LGBTQ+ community from gifted entertainers to those who otherwise struggle with work opportunities based on appearance and sexual orientation.

Freedom to express yourself/live authentically is one of our top priorities at ZODIAC."

Founder - Diversity Alliance

“I am incredibly honoured to be recognised as an LGBT+ Hospitality Champion. As an entrepreneur in the DEI space delivering consultancy, training, and events to the hospitality and events sectors, she has always been a vocal advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, working tirelessly to create safe and respectful work environments and events for everyone. By providing platforms for the LGBTQIA+ community to share their lived experiences, Gabby educates the companies she works with, helping them create more inclusive and accessible environments that cater to the needs of the community. She is and remains committed to championing equality and driving positive, lasting change in our sectors! Thank you for this honour.”

Recruitment & Staffing Manager - KERB

“I'm incredibly honoured to be recognised and selected as one of Checking-IN's 10 LGBTQ+ Hospitality Champions for 2024. As a Neurodiverse LGBTQ+ recruitment professional and through my work at Pride in London as a Volunteer Talent Partner, I have been given the opportunity to focus on supporting and advocating for the community through my professional experience, and highlight the challenges that LGBTQ+ people face during recruitment processes. Through meaningful collaboration with my colleagues at KERB, and our commitment to driving positive change, I am grateful to be involved with various projects aimed at championing DEI and supporting our LGBTQ+ community and colleagues across the entire company and beyond into the wider industry.”

Senior Manager, Account Management, EIMEA and APAC - Cvent

“Being included in the 10 LGBTQ+ Hospitality Champions 2024 list is a humbling honour that warms my heart. I am grateful for the recognition, as it validates my journey as an LGBTQ+ individual in this industry. It inspires me to continue to uplift others and provide hope to those facing similar challenges. Advocating for diversity, inclusion, and equality is a cause I hold dear, and the sense of unity and collaboration with like-minded individuals in our industry is invaluable. It reaffirms and motivating me to continue pushing boundaries. I am grateful for this validation, and honoured to be acknowledged alongside these amazing people.”

Director of Human Resources of the pre-opening team of Park Hyatt London River Thames

“Originally from France, Melissa moved to London in 2017 and quickly became the driving force behind Hyatt’s efforts to create a more inclusive workplace here in the UK. She is a true champion of allyship, inclusivity and visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community, with a special focus on women and non-binary individuals.

Melissa’s many achievements include being Chair of Women@Hyatt UK&I, where she supports the needs and advancement of colleagues identifying as women at Hyatt. She is part of the core team of Hyatt’s HyPride UK Committee, is Head of Networking for HyPride EAME, and co-organised the company’s first Europe-wide HyPride Summit. She is a Trans colleagues inclusion ally, contributing to the implementation of a transitioning guideline for EAME and advocating for more gender-inclusive employee facilities and styling guidelines.

In support of these many roles, she regularly contributes to podcasts and awareness campaigns, workshops, and events to create genuine change and increased acceptance and visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community. “

Senior Advisor - Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

“Paul is out and proud in a very male, heterosexual dominated environment within development in hotels. He reached a very senior position within development at Mandarin Oriental and has used his position to champion inclusion and diversity with the CSuite at the hotel group. As a result Mandarin Oriental have begun working towards inclusive polices across the company.”

Area Director of People & Culture - Dorchester Collection

“To be featured on your list is a real honour, it is an honour, as I genuinely try and take the correct decisions for all groups in the community in my day to day work, whilst also trying to represent and support many people, to ensure they feel a sense of belonging. The role and job I hold comes with huge responsibility, and I am always mindful of this, and I never forget how much you can support, align and encourage people in all walks of life to be their best, and be the encouraging voice they sometimes need.”

Director of Beverage Hilton - Europe, Middle East and Africa - Hilton Hotels

“I am a passionate and dedicated leader who cares greatly about diversity and inclusion, based in London and responsible for Hilton’s EMEA beverage strategy and operations. I have always been an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, recognising the importance and value of always being able to bring your true self to work. I continue to champion inclusivity at Hilton, creating space as a role model where team members can develop and thrive. I am proud to be selected to join such an esteemed group of industry peers.”