For the first time in history, the annual list of the world’s leading 100 LGBT executives has been topped by a woman.

Yesterday, OUTstanding and the Financial Times announced that Inga Beale, the boss of the insurance company, Lloyd’s of London was the leading LGBT executive in the world.

Beale is one of few openly bisexual business leaders in the UK and the world. When Beale became chief executive of the Insurance company in January 2014, she was their first female CEO in its 327-year history.

Accepting her award, she said: “I am proud of the commitment of Lloyd’s and the London insurance market to celebrate diversity and ensure we are an attractive, globally relevant and inclusive sector. Inclusion is the foundation of innovation, and having an open, accepting and diverse workforce will enable us to succeed in a changing and challenging world.”

Beale has opened Lloyd’s offices in Dubai and Beijing and led the Inclusion@Lloyd’s initiative. She was also involved in the launch of Pride@Lloyds, an internal LGBT employee resource group.

In second place was Alan Joyce, chief executive of Australian airline Qantas. It was his first appearance in the power list.

António Simões, who heads up HSBC’s UK bank was awarded third place.

The highest-ranking transgender executive was Martine Rothblatt, the chief executive of US biotech firm United Therapeutics. She came in in forth place. Rothblatt is among the highest-paid female executives in the US.

The objective of the list is to highlight lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender role models in business and to encourage openness, diversity and acceptance in the workplace.

OUTstanding’s founder and chief executive, Suki Sandhu, said: “Compared to 2013, we see far more people wanting to be associated with the lists – this year we have 42 brand new additions to the top 100 alone. This is fantastic news as I hope it shows people are both more comfortable about being their true selves at work, and also that they see the value of ‘going public’ in terms of inspiring the next generation of leaders.”

OUTstanding also compiled a list of the top 30 Ally Executives. The top spot was awarded to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, for his work championing LGBT diversity in his organisation and globally. Last year’s winner, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, took second place.

The name that make up the top 100 were nominated by peers. OUTstanding’s judging panel then reviewed nominations and decided the winners.

The 2015 OUTstanding & FT Leading LGBT executive power list top 10

1 Inga Beale, CEO, Lloyd’s of London

2 Alan Joyce, CEO, Qantas

3 António Simões, CEO, HSBC UK

4 Martine Rothblatt, CEO, United Therapeutics

5 Claudia Brind-Woody, IBM vice-president

6 Paul Reed, CEO of BP’s integrated supply and trading business

7 Beth Brooke-Marciniak, Ernst & Young global vice-chair

8 Christopher Bailey, CEO, Burberry

9 Anthony Watson, CEO, Uphold

10 Sander van ‘t Noordende, CEO of Accenture’s products operating group