Meet & Greet: Thomas Leigh-Eldredge, Associate Director, Retirement and LGBT+ UK Co-Chair at WTW

In this week's Meet & Greet interview, myGwork member Thomas Leigh-Eldredge shares why LGBTQ+-inclusion at work is a 'top priority'. He also provides insights into his role as Associate Director, Retirement and LGBT+ UK Co-Chair at WTW, as well as a glimpse into his social life. 

Can you tell us a bit about your career journey to date?

Well my journey is still fairly new having joined my organization just under ten years ago as a fresh faced graduate in the actuarial consulting team. However, my involvement with diversity and inclusion has moved on leaps and bounds from when I started back in 2013.

What attributes do you look for in new recruits and why?

As an organization with a focus on clients and innovation, we are always looking for diverse talent that represents every inch of our society, and always ensure that our recruitment activities engage the widest talent pool possible.

How important is LGBTQ+ -inclusion in the workplace for you personally? 

It is honestly a top tier priority of mine. I wouldn’t have ever considered that LGBTQ+ inclusion was even a concept, probably due to the privileged upbringing I had where my sexual orientation wasn’t brought into question, however I did have some apprehension as I entered the corporate world.  However, I have learned just how important it is that your workplace be an environment where you can be unapologetically yourself; firstly so you can live your life without hesitation and filtering, but also so you can bring as much to the table as possible in terms of your role.

What's your favorite inclusion campaign to date and why?

For me it has to be LGBTQ+ History Month (February). Looking back on how society and life has changed is an incredibly powerful tool to signpost what is yet to be achieved and the challenges that remain. It also provides the poignant backdrop as to why we continue to celebrate Pride every year, given past events such as the introduction of Section 28.

How do you encourage staff to have a work-life balance, especially with the increase in remote/hybrid working?

As an organization we have wide ranging support to ensure that all colleagues have a means to have a successful career but also take care of their personal lives. COVID has made us all recognize the fragility of our mental health, and the organisation is a huge proponent of ensuring people strike the right balance of work and outside life. For example, the majority of colleagues are afforded the option of working anywhere between full remote to full in-office, and it is recognized that the old-style working day is somewhat obsolete and flexible working is a much more productive style of working.

What's the biggest highlight of your career to date and why?

It has to be achieving 44th on the Stonewall Ranking 2022. Our staff inclusion network has evolved in so many ways over the last few years, not least due to its incredibly dedicated leaders such as my fellow co-chair Jodie Barker, and getting the recognition from Stonewall is very warming and confirms that we are doing something right! 

What was your last holiday destination and where do you plan to visit next?

I last visited Florida to see my in-laws, although being pre-COVID that does feel like a lifetime ago! My husband and I hope to visit more parts of Italy soon as we are absolute food lovers!

What do you do to relax at the end of a hard-working day?

More than likely playing online competitive computer games, and if not then possibly kicking back with my Japanese learning books with a French bulldog or two next to me!

You can find more about Thomas and connect with him here.

Check out some of myGwork's other recent Meet & Greet interviews, including:

• Booth-Laird Investment Partnership’s CEO Jonathan Booth shares why there are so few ‘out’ CEOs and leaders in the corporate world. 
• Business Disability Forum’s CEO Diane Lightfoot shares the importance of being able to work in an environment where everyone is able to bring their whole selves to work, without having to conceal any aspect of who they are. 
• Parexel's LGBTQ+ ally and Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Aida Sabo shares her career journey on how she made it to the top in engineering as a Latina woman.
• CTS Group CEO Tom Ray shares why the LGBTQ+ community is "very important" to his company, and how he is promoting inclusion to ensure that all staff are “welcome, feel safe and can be themselves” at work. 
• London-based DJ, radio host, filmmaker, social influencer and CBK CEO Krystal Lake explains why organizations need to take homophobic remarks and labels seriously, and do more to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion. 
• Criteo's SVP of Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Rachel Scheel on how and why she supports diversity and LGBTQ+ inclusion as an ally, as well as workplace wellbeing.
• The Galaxy Trust’s CEO Garry Ratcliffe shares how being an 'out' leader with a collaborative and inclusive leadership style helps to promote equality, belonging and a blame-free culture. 
• RS Components’ Group Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement Jessica Chu highlights the 'huge' importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion at work and shares why being an LGBTQ+ ally is really important to her.
• Swapi CEO Pete Howroyd who talks about workplace equality and LGBTQ+ inclusion, and the importance of ensuring that every voice is heard. 
• Unilever’s HR Vice President Richard Sharp shares why leadership has a duty to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community feels supported and included in the workplace.
• Greenhouse Software CEO Daniel Chait shares why belonging is one of the company’s core values, as well as a powerful business strategy. 
• Burberry's Global Diversity & Inclusion Manager Safia Ann Kukaswadia highlights how she is addressing key challenges facing minority communities to gain fair representation within fashion and why the industry needs more LGBTQ+ role model leaders. 
• Dish Dash Deets’ Founder Sunni Patel shares why he founded his holistic wellbeing business, specialising in gut health and eating addictions, which he started after coming out.
• Protiviti’s Director Belton Flournoy talks about the importance of Pride Month, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and the power of being 'out' at work. 
• CEO of Vexed Gaming Sonny Waheed shares how his empowering and inclusive leadership style helps him to run a successful company.
• CEO of Wonder Industries Vlady Vyshnevetskiy shares how he is helping to make the fashion world more sustainable and inclusive. 
• Oracle's Sara Morley talks about her roles as Account Director and UK Lead for the company’s LGBTQ+ OPEN ERG network.
• Hearst UK’s Chief Commercial Operations Director Gianluca Ena shares the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace, and maintaining a work-life balance.
• HSBC’s Senior Group Inclusion Advisor Jack Guest shares some of the challenges of being an openly gay professional in Asia.
• Parexel’s Executive Vice President and Global Head, Chris Baker, shares what she looks for in new recruits and why she wants hardworking and diverse talent to be able to bring their entire selves to work.