For Pride last year, I shared my story as an LGBTQIA+ ally at Wipro. This Pride, I find myself reflecting again, this time prompted by a moment of recognition.
Last week I attended an awards ceremony with colleagues, including part of our LGBTQIA+ employee resource group (ERG) leadership.
It was a proud moment… the result of four years of collective effort, recognized with a Highly Commended award at the Rainbow Honours, in the Outstanding LGBTQIA+ Network category. This recognition reflects the effort, commitment and care that goes into creating a more inclusive workplace. Huge thanks and kudos must go to Julien Brain for not only leading but inspiring this ERG.
It prompted me to reflect on what this award and recognition means to me both professionally and personally.
Early in my career, I worked with a senior leader who was openly gay. He became an important mentor and, eventually, someone I worked for directly. What stood out was his authenticity. He did not feel the need to hide who he was. He educated me about the LGBTQIA+ community and opened my eyes to a community and a culture I knew little about. I had a lot to learn. These experiences reshaped my view of leadership and what ‘normal’ should look like at work.
These experiences have stayed with me ever since. It helped me understand that inclusion is not just a policy. It is personal. It is about creating an environment where people feel they can be themselves.
For me, allyship is straightforward: treating people with respect and challenging unacceptable behavior. This was reinforced in 2025 in a very different setting, also resonating with the current FIFA World Cup.
I was on a football pitch, refereeing a men’s game, one Sunday morning. I had no choice but to issue a red card for homophobic abuse. It was disappointing that this type of behavior was still happening in today’s world. The decision was simple, however. Red card. The player initially received a seven-match ban, extended to nine on appeal.
If behavior like this goes unchallenged, it becomes normalized. When this happens, environments become unsafe. That is why acting matters.
It would be easy to think we have moved on as a society. But moments like this remind us there is still plenty of work to do. People still face discrimination, and not everyone feels able to be their full selves.
That is why allyship matters. It is a daily responsibility. Inclusion is not someone else’s job. It is everyone’s job.
There is a clear thread between early influences in my career and experiences today.
The people who make the biggest difference are often those who quietly set the standard, through their actions, their values, and their willingness to step in when it counts. I am privileged to play my part as an ally, and I’ll keep playing my part.
