Darren Rickards: « I am naturally very cautions in countries where there are legal / criminal prohibitions on homosexuality » (Interview, Travel)
Darren is a Managing Director in the Global Corporate & Investment Banking division of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, based in London, and leads the corporate banking business in Central Europe, Middle East and Africa. He mainly covers activity across Russia, Turkey, Israel, the Gulf States and South Africa, and manages teams of bankers in London, Moscow, Dubai, Istanbul and Johannesburg. Darren has been at BofAML for 19 years, having joined them in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2000.
« I travel a lot for my role, visiting clients around the world where views and attitudes to homosexuality differ »
Do you frequently travel abroad for work?
Yes, very frequently. Often to the Gulf States, South Africa and Israel.
Are you out to your colleagues and clients abroad?
I am out to all my colleagues in my business. As a senior executive sponsor of the LGBT+ Pride Network for EMEA I have a high-profile role in the promotion of our broad LGBT+ agenda across the bank. I am also a member of the bank’s global LGBT+ executive leadership council, a body of senior managing directors who are “out at work”.
I’m conscious that across different countries and regions views and attitudes to homosexuality differ significantly so am sensitive to this. I have clients who are friends, and I am out with them. I am also often profiled in the financial press and other publications, so would imagine that more clients do know.
Is there any country you travel to for work that you would not be out in and why?
Yes. I am naturally cautions in countries where there are legal / criminal prohibitions on homosexuality
Have you ever encountered LGBT+phobia when travelling for work?
No, I must admit that I have not experienced any directed at me. Within all Bank of America Merrill Lynch offices my colleagues know I am gay, I don’t even think about it, it isn’t an issue.
How do you check the LGBT+ friendliness of a country before traveling?
We have good travel advisory services at BofAML that are triggered the moment that my travel plans are booked through the bank’s travel systems. I am always made aware of the laws relating to LGBT+ people for each country I go to.
What are your favourite holiday destinations and why?
My husband and I love Italy, with Rome being a particular favourite. Ancient Roman history is my hobby, and my husband is learning Italian. We also travel frequently to India as my husband is originally from India.
Do you travel to attend pride abroad? Which one is your favourite pride? I generally do not travel to attend prides abroad, although I have attended Pride in Sydney which was astonishingly good as was London this year!
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