Chime, the global sport, entertainment and communications group, is launching a LGBTQ+ network ‘Chime Q’ across its 54 agencies.
The network will offer everyone across the group’s 2500 workforce the chance to learn from experts, share personal experiences and build connections across the company’s diverse LGBTQ+ global community.
Chime Q plans to work with leading organisations like Stonewall, NABS, LBWomen, UK Black Pride, InterComms, PrideAM and Out for Sport to run events on a wide range of topics, such as the power of diversity, the benefits of having a mentor and the importance of working on mental health at work.
Chime has agencies that operate across a variety of sectors including advertising, digital, marketing, research, corporate responsibility and healthcare communications, and includes the B2B agencies Harvard and Teamspirit. Chime Q will operate as a multi-interest cross-sector forum for debate, discussion, mentoring, and campaigning.
The launch event on 24 January will include speeches from Lord Sebastian Coe, Stonewall chair Jan Gooding and UK Black Pride founder Phyll Opoku-Gyimah on the power of bringing your full self to work. Agency CSM will also present its ongoing work as the commercial partner for the Gay Games in Hong Kong in 2022.
James Maxwell, executive creative director of Teamspirit and co-founder of Chime Q, said: “Even in 2019, we are bombarded with concerning statistics about the number of LGBTQ+ workers in the UK who feel they can’t come out at work, or experience LGBTQ+-phobia in their workplace. We’ve worked hard as a group to foster an inclusive, open, and welcoming environment, but we know there is always more work to do.
“We need every single employee to feel supported. And we need straight allies to be vocal with their support, taking a stand in our industry and society at large. We’re so proud to be launching Chime Q across the group to embolden our LGBTQ+ diversity profile for colleagues, clients and partners.”
