LGBT lessons from the world's biggest businesses

LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) inclusion is rising up the corporate agenda, with more and more firms understanding the importance of allowiung their staff to bring their whole selves to work.

Business magazine The Economist brought together some of the UK’s most well-known businesses to discuss LGBT diversity at their Pride and Prejudice conference in London. HR Grapevine explores some of the key themes from the event.

Do we need to justify LGBT inclusion with the ‘business case’?

There’s no doubt that a strong focus on diversity and inclusion adds to the bottom line, according to Alison Brittain, the Chief executive of Whitbread (the company that owns Premier Inn and Costa Coffee). “I genuinely think we're past the point of proving diversity gives better business outcomes,” she said. “Our industry (hospitality) has always been very diverse.”