Link Up North's annual quiz is back, kindly hosted by KPMG, at their Leeds office. This year, proceeds will be split between Mermaids and Stonewall.

What's Included

KPMG will very kindly be providing food and drink for the evening. There will also be prizes for the winning team, the team with the best name and of course the enviable Link Wooden Spoon prize.

Teams

Maximum of six people per team. There will be additional Link tables for anyone who wants to join us individually or in smaller groups. Please send an email to: upnorth@lgbtinsurancenetwork.co.ukwhen you have your team sorted and we will reserve a table for you.

Tickets

Tickets cost £25 per table or £5 individually, with the proceeds going to Mermaids and Stonewall. Once you've registered, please pay via the donation button below.

If the date doesn't quite work out for you, but you'd still like to donate to Stonewall and Mermaids, please use the link below.

How do we perform gender and how might this limit our potential?

Join Ali Hannon as they explore the concept of gender expression and diversity in the workplace through comedy, bringing a fresh approach to conversations on inclusion.   

Ali is a comedy performer and part of the multi-award winning improvisation group The Short & Girlie Show. Ali has been speaker at a number of LGBT events and conferences around the UK, including talks for TEDx and Stonewall. 

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ali-hannon-gender-as-a-performance-tickets-55769397770?aff=odeimcmailchimp&mc_cid=83f04275db&mc_eid=9e2b3ac0f8

The first Tuesday of every month is a permanent fixture on the Link networking event calendar and is a great opportunity to interact with other LGBT members of the Insurance Industry.

Come along to catch up with colleagues and meet new friends at our regular monthly networking event.  It's always great to hear your views on recent events and discuss possible topics for future presentations.
 
If it’s your first time to one of our events please approach one of our committee members, who will be more than happy to introduce you to a few other people (they will be wearing badges so you can recognise them).  Of course this is not strictly an LGBT event and we welcome anyone within the insurance industry who is interested in coming along so please do feel free to bring along your straight colleagues!

AXA are delighted to host a screening of 'Coming Oot! A Fabulous History of Gay Scotland', a documentary which captures Scotland's radical transformation from a country that took pride in it's conservative views of sexuality to being one of Europe's best countries to be LGBT+. 

Student Pride is a careers fair with a difference: it combines employer stalls and speaker events addressing issues for LGBT students. 

This year we are represented by the following organisations:

• Aviva - Titanium Sponsor

• Legal & General - Titanium Sponsor

• AIG

• Aon

• AXA

• Chubb

• CII

• Hiscox

• Lloyd’s

• Marsh

• Zurich

Check out our dedicated page: https://www.lgbtinsurancenetwork.co.uk/student-pride

If you’d like to volunteer, please email us at enquiries@lgbtinsurancenetwork.co.uk

Our friends at RPC are running an event on what will be the 15th anniversary of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA), this event (supported by the Law Society) aims to provide an overview of the GRA, the impact it had, and what the future looks like.

The speakers will draw upon their own personal experiences to discuss the issues that Trans+ people face in the UK in 2019.  Speakers include:

• Bridget Garrood - Partner, Cartridges Law

• Luke Williams - Solicitor / Lecturer at BPP

• Emrys Moore - Trainee Solicitor, RPC

Drinks and nibbles will follow after the event, where the discussions can continue.

Provided by: RPC supported by The Law Society

To mark LGBT History Month, Lloyd’s Pride and Allies network is delighted to host a private screening of 'Forbidden Games: The Justin Fashanu Story'. This documentary chronicles the tragic story of the first and only football player to come out as gay whilst still playing in the UK.

Lloyd’s Chairman, Bruce Carnegie-Brown, who has a personal connection to the making of this documentary will also share his thoughts before the 80-min film is shown.

Drinks and snacks will be served on the evening.

Places are limited, so you must register even if you are a Lloyd’s pass holder.

We look forward to seeing you at our event.

Lloyd's Pride and Allies

Our friends at RPC are running an event in London to mark 20 years since the Admiral Duncan bombing, this event (supported by the Law Society) will discuss how the bombing impacted upon life for LGBT+ residents of London and the long-term impact it made to the LGBT+ scene, particularly in Soho.

The panel of speakers will discuss hate crime against LGBT+ individuals more generally and the changes they've noticed in recent years.  Speakers include:

• Chris Seel- Diversity & Inclusion Adviser (The Law Society)

• PC Anton Brown- Hate Crime Liaison and LGBT Liaison Officer, The Metropolitan Police

• Nick Antjoule- Head of Hate Crime Services, Galop

• PC Herm Trepesch- Diversity Directorate and Police Sergeant, Surrey Police

• Mark Healey- Founder, 17-24-30 No To Hate Crime Campaign

Drinks and nibbles will follow after the event, where the discussions can continue.

Provided by: RPC supported by The Law Society

Link Up North's monthly networking drinks are on the first Thursday of every month.  Join us at Fibre in Leeds for drinks, networking and a good catch-up from 17:30 onwards.

We can usually be found upstairs, if you’ve not been before but would like to join us, do come and say hello and find out about our plans for Leeds Pride and the rest of the year.  Feel free to get in touch in advance at upnorth@lgbtinsurancenetwork.co.uk.

Something a little different for our January networking.

Recognising that many use January as month to rest their liver from the abuses of Christmas, we have chosen this bar specifically because it has a good range of non-alcoholic offerings from softails, juices and smoothies to no alcohol/ low alcohol beers and ciders.

Catch up with old friends and meet new ones whilst feeling virtuous!

Alternatively ... the standard array of alcoholic beverages are available (of course). 

We are taking a break from our previous model of company-hosted Christmas celebrations and this year we are having a more casual self-funded (buy-your-own) event.

Minster Court Tank & Paddle has been our normal venue for our monthly networking for the last few months and serves a good range of refreshments and delicious stone baked pizzas. Those with a Lloyd's pass can also enjoy a 25% discount.

Entry is free but we ask that you register for a ticket so we can gauge numbers and secure the optimal sized space.

Many thanks

Link Team

The first Tuesday of every month is a permanent fixture on the Link networking event calendar and is a great opportunity to interact with other LGBT members of the Insurance Industry.

Come along to catch up with colleagues and meet new friends at our regular monthly networking event.  It's always great to hear your views on recent events and discuss possible topics for future presentations.
 
If it’s your first time to one of our events please approach one of our committee members, who will be more than happy to introduce you to a few other people (they will be wearing badges so you can recognise them).  Of course this is not strictly an LGBT event and we welcome anyone within the insurance industry who is interested in coming along so please do feel free to bring along your straight colleagues!

Link Up North's monthly networking drinks are on the first Thursday of every month.  Join us at Fibre in Leeds for drinks, networking and a good catch-up from 17:30 onwards.

We can usually be found upstairs, if you’ve not been before but would like to join us, do come and say hello and find out about our plans for Leeds Pride and the rest of the year.  Feel free to get in touch in advance at upnorth@lgbtinsurancenetwork.co.uk.

Link Up North's monthly networking drinks are on the first Thursday of every month.  Join us at Fibre in Leeds for drinks, networking and a good catch-up from 17:30 onwards.

We can usually be found upstairs, if you’ve not been before but would like to join us, do come and say hello and find out about our plans for Leeds Pride and the rest of the year.  Feel free to get in touch in advance at upnorth@lgbtinsurancenetwork.co.uk.

The first Tuesday of every month is a permanent fixture on the Link networking event calendar and is a great opportunity to interact with other LGBT members of the Insurance Industry.

Come along to catch up with colleagues and meet new friends at our regular monthly networking event.  It's always great to hear your views on recent events and discuss possible topics for future presentations.
 
If it’s your first time to one of our events please approach one of our committee members, who will be more than happy to introduce you to a few other people (they will be wearing badges so you can recognise them).  Of course this is not strictly an LGBT event and we welcome anyone within the insurance industry who is interested in coming along so please do feel free to bring along your straight colleagues!

The Bank of England is delighted to host a networking event in the Bank of England Museum from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday 18th September.

You are invited to come along to network with industry colleagues over a glass of wine and nibbles and hear from David Hynam, UK CEO of Bupa.

David has supported a broad range of initiatives across Bupa UK including the launch of a new Code of Conduct helping ensure Bupa is an inclusive organisation that welcomes everyone and nobody is treated differently. It offers people of all genders the same growth and development opportunities within a positive, open and inclusive environment. Bupa’s pioneering work with a corporate client saw them become the first UK-owned company to extend their health cover to include gender dysphoria.

David’s sponsorship of diversity extends beyond Bupa. Earlier in his career, David was a Global Diversity Champion at AXA, and at Barclays he provided support on LGBT+ issues through its diversity programme.

The event will be hosted by David Rule, Executive Director, Insurance Supervision, PRA. Previously, David was Executive Director, Prudential Policy and previous to this Director, International UK Banks Supervision at the Financial Services Authority then Prudential Regulation Authority.

Speeches will begin at 6:15 prompt.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Note, although the event has sold out, Link members have been allocated 20 tickets. Go to the eventbrite page by clicking below then click "Register" and "Enter Promotional Code", then enter LinkVIP to unlock the Link tickets. 

Link Up North's monthly networking drinks are on the first Thursday of every month.  Join us at Fibre in Leeds for drinks, networking and a good catch-up from 17:30 onwards.

We can usually be found upstairs, if you’ve not been before but would like to join us, do come and say hello and find out about our plans for Leeds Pride and the rest of the year.  Feel free to get in touch in advance at upnorth@lgbtinsurancenetwork.co.uk.

The first Tuesday of every month is a permanent fixture on the Link networking event calendar and is a great opportunity to interact with other LGBT members of the Insurance Industry.

Come along to catch up with colleagues and meet new friends at our regular monthly networking event.  It's always great to hear your views on recent events and discuss possible topics for future presentations.
 
If it’s your first time to one of our events please approach one of our committee members, who will be more than happy to introduce you to a few other people (they will be wearing badges so you can recognise them).  Of course this is not strictly an LGBT event and we welcome anyone within the insurance industry who is interested in coming along so please do feel free to bring along your straight colleagues!

We've been given a brilliant opportunity to host an event at The Aspinal of London store in Brook Street, Mayfair.

Drinks and nibbles will be provided, as well as a 20% discount on goods purchased during the night. 

Free personalisation will also be available on the evening (normally at a cost of £15).

Schedule:

18:30 - 20:30: Aspinal of London

20:30 onwards:  Ball's Brothers, Mayfair Exchange

We have decided to make the ever-popular August networking, hosted by Kennedys Law, our Summer Party and use the opportunity to raise more funds for the LGBT support and counselling charity London Friend.

Note: This replaces the normal "First Tuesday" networking

Tickets

Tickets are priced at just £15, with all proceeds going to London Friend. You also have the opportunity to make an additional donation during the booking process should you so wish.

What is included?

Kennedys will provide refreshments and a buffet supper.

If you have any dietary, access or other considerations that you would like Link and Kennedys to be aware of, you will be able to provide information during the booking process or alternatively contact us at enquiries@lgbtinsurancenetwork.co.uk and we will do our best to support you.

Those of you who have attended in prior years will remember their lovely terrace, so keep your fingers crossed for good weather.

Link Up North are very happy to be walking in Leeds Pride again for 2018, we would love to open out some spaces to some of our members to come along and join in the fun.

The spaces will be on a first come first served basis, if all the tickets have been reserved please contact upnorth@lgbtinsurancenetwork.co.uk and we will let you know if any spare places become available.

Once signed up you will receive an email with further information and timings.

Link Up North's 2018 pride entry is proudly sponsored by Eversheds Sutherland, Pinsent Masons, Zurich Insurance, PWC and Aon.

14:00 Parade Starts
15:00 Party starts on Lower Briggate

Link Up North's monthly networking drinks are on the first Thursday of every month.  Join us at Fibre in Leeds for drinks, networking and a good catch-up from 17:30 onwards.

We can usually be found upstairs, if you’ve not been before but would like to join us, do come and say hello and find out about our plans for Leeds Pride and the rest of the year.  Feel free to get in touch in advance at upnorth@lgbtinsurancenetwork.co.uk.

Join Isle of Wight pride in only its second year.  Isle of Wight Pride has also been named UK Pride 2018.  The parade is followed by a celebration on a sandy beach!

Although this is a FREE event, the organisers ask everyone to register for a ticket.

Pinsent Mason's and  Leeds LGBT+ Business Alliance are delighted to invite you to join their talk with Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, David Isaac CBE, speaking on promoting diverse and inclusive cultures in the workplace.  This will be followed by informal networking and refreshments.

Europe’s largest not-for-profit event for African, Asian, Arab, and Caribbean-heritage lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people – has announced its thirteenth annual music festival will take place on Sunday 8 July 2018 in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. The event is an integral part of the Pride in London week of celebrations.

This is a free music festival, and an excellent way to chill after the rigours of the Pride parade the previous day as well as supporting the community.

For more info check out the website: http://ukblackpride.org.uk

Join Link's walking group in the 2018 Pride Parade  

Join Link and other insurance groups at Pride in London, a great day of celebration for the LGBT+ community.  This year he theme is "A matter of Pride" - encouraging each group to explore why Pride matters to them.  In their own research words such as "Freedom", "Individuality", "Pride", "Protest" and "Celebration" were most frequently associated. What are yours?

In response to the demand to allow more community groups to attend the Parade, the wristbands being made available to companies has been limited.  Link therefore only as 45 wristbands to distribute. If you are unable to secure a ticket please put your name on the waiting list - we will notify you if any of the other insurance groups are able to release wristbands to Link.

We have decided to charge a fee of £15 per wristband, this is in response to a high number of last minute drop-outs and no-shows.  The funds collected will be used towards refreshments and parade goodies.

Schedule

11:30   Meetup Paddington Street Gardens South (W1U 5QY)
12:30   Arrive at Parade Form-Up Entry Point  (Portland Place x Park Crescent)
14:00   (approx) Parade starts
16:30   Parade finishes

See custom Google map showing key locations.

In more fantastic news: In 2018 there are more insurance firms than ever before with their own entry:

• Allianz
• Aon
• Aviva
• AXA
• Direct Line Group
• Legal & General
• Marsh
• RPC Law
• Willis Towers Watson
• Zurich

It's great to see so many firms taking part.

RPC would like to invite you to its first pre-Pride drinks to celebrate London Pride and LGBT+ inclusion and diversity in the workplace. 
 
RPC is involved with a number of LGBT+ initiatives, including our internal network, RPC RAIN, based across London and Bristol. We have also partnered with a number of  external networks, including Link, the LGBT+ Insurance Network (RPC was a founder sponsor and has continued to sponsor for the past five years) and the London Bisexual Network. 
 
RPC would love for you to join them for a drink at their London office from 6-7:30pm on Thursday 5 July 2018. Spaces are limited so we would recommend registering your attendance early. For anyone who wants to keep the evening going, we will head out to a local bar afterwards.

Please RSVP by clicking the below button.

Leeds Law Society in conjunction with Weightmans LLP are pleased to announce that on Thursday 5th July 2018 it will be hosting its first ever LGBT+ Networking Event. 

This will be an opportunity to meet the Society’s new LGBT+ Officer who will be talking about the future plans of Leeds Law Society as well as holding an open-floor discussion with delegates. 
 
This event is open to Law Society members and non-members. Join other Link Up North members in supporting this new LGBT initiative in Leeds.

If you’ve not been before but would like to join us, do come and say hello and find out about our plans for Leeds Pride and the rest of the year.  Feel free to get in touch in advance at upnorth@lgbtinsurancenetwork.co.uk.