Last night (November 22), OUTstanding, an LGBT+ membership organisation helping global businesses create diverse and inclusive work environments, launched its Irish arm at LinkedIn EMEA HQ.

After over four years of UK-based LGBT+ activities, OUTstanding’s membership has grown to include over 70 global businesses.

Indeed several leading businesses already signed up as founding members of OUTstanding’s Irish branch including Sodexo, EY, LinkedIn, PayPal, IBM, Eversheds Sutherland, State Street, Aer Lingus and ESB.

The group says that expansion into Ireland will allow best practice to be shared more widely, allowing new member firms to work more closely with the established network and experience the benefits of programmes locally, as well as amplify efforts being made to further LGBT+ inclusion.

Fantastic turnout for the Irish launch of @OUTstandingiB at the @LinkedIn Dublin office! #OUTstandingIreland pic.twitter.com/nIuuOg3S78

— Gay Community News (@GCNmag) November 21, 2017

“We’re thrilled to be launching a new membership proposition for Ireland. We saw huge appetite for our leadership development programmes and events here and look forward to building a powerful Irish network,” said OUTstanding CEO and founder Suki Sandhu.

“I see diversity, and more importantly inclusion, becoming a real global issue. We currently work with OUTstanding in the UK and it makes sense to continue this work in the Irish region. We will still engage with Irish NGOs, but we do need to have a wider geographical view for our global employees and client base.”

OUTstanding provides peer‐to-peer connections for its members and helps businesses create diverse and inclusive work environments through an annual series of events, leadership development programmes and advisory services. To catalyse change, the organisation focuses on driving cultural change through authentic leadership. OUTstanding works with over 25% of the FTSE 100

Find more out about OUTstanding here.