EUROUT 2024 Shines A Light On LGBTQ+ Inclusion & Leadership

Now in its 14th year, EUROUT has grown to become the largest LGBTQ+ student-led business conference in Europe. Each year, it brings together business students and professionals from across Europe and the globe for a weekend of connection, empowerment, and inspiration at London Business School (LBS). Entirely volunteer-led by LBS’s Out in Business Club, the conference is a testament to the passion and commitment of the LBS community.

This year, we turned up the volume. Over three days in mid-November, we welcomed more than 500 attendees, facilitated over 100 coffee chats, and connected participants through tailored networking events. With the support of over 35 sponsors, including lead partners BCG, Salesforce, and Strategy&, EUROUT 2024 stood as a powerful reminder of the strength and potential of the LGBTQ+ business community.

EUROUT is not just an annual event—it is a thriving and self-sustaining network. It grows stronger each year as students attend, learn, and engage with the conversations that matter most. It not only provides an opportunity for LBS students to gain invaluable skills organizing and leading the conference, but many return as speakers and sponsors long after they have graduated. In the process, they keep vital conversations alive about the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ business community. This cycle was deeply evident throughout the event, as we tackled big topics, celebrated progress, and challenged ourselves to think critically about the work still ahead.

WITH PRIVILEGE COMES RESPONSIBILITY

Dame Julia Hoggett set an inspiring tone with her keynote, sharing her journey from sociology student to becoming the first openly gay CEO of the London Stock Exchange. She spoke candidly about privilege and the responsibility that comes with it:

“Well, I kind of think of it as a bit of a superpower, actually. I’m white, solidly middle class, went to private school, Cambridge, and my mother is in the House of Lords, for heaven’s sake. And now I’m a dame, so it’s even worse. There’s no way I can’t say that I’m privileged. But I only realized that I was when I realized I was gay and thought I might lose it. The greatest privilege I have is the awareness of my privilege. It’s a precious gift—or an act of luck—but the responsibility is, ‘What are you going to do with it?’”

Her words served as a powerful reminder that privilege, once recognized, becomes a tool for advocacy and meaningful action. This rang true sitting in the audience as business school students, understanding that we too hold a level of privilege—one that we will carry into the business world. The challenge, as Hoggett articulated so clearly, is to use that privilege responsibly to effect meaningful change.

She was not the only leader who was a perfect fit for our ‘Learning from Legends, Leading with Pride’ theme.

THE THREAT OF BACKSLIDING ON DEI

UK politician and member of the House of Lords, Baroness Lynne Featherstone, moved the audience with her recollection of the hard-fought battle to legalize same-sex marriage in the UK. Baroness Featherstone said “Equality was never just a policy. It was a relentless fight, carried on the shoulders of the LGBTQ+ community who paved the way with their courage and sacrifices.”

She urged everyone to honor that legacy by continuing to advocate for progress, reminding us that significant change often starts with one courageous step.

One of the most thought-provoking sessions focused on the troubling phenomenon of DEI backsliding, where Aneeta Rattan, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at LBS, offered a rallying cry: “This isn’t a defeat. It’s a call to action to double down on what we know is right.”

She emphasized that DEI backsliding isn’t just about the loss of specific policies—it signals a broader cultural shift where harmful behaviors are increasingly tolerated, and champions of inclusion feel disheartened or silenced. “When people who value diversity feel they need to retreat or become quieter, while those opposing inclusion grow louder, it creates a chilling effect on progress,” she explained.

This erosion of momentum threatens to undo decades of hard-won advancements and undermines the trust and equity that organizations strive to build. Her insights resonated strongly with me as they highlight the need for intentionality, resilience, and creativity in advancing DEI initiatives, learnings I plan to take into the workplace with me.

STILL BIASES AND BARRIERS

Biases persist even within the LGBTQ+ community, as was clear from discussions on the unique challenges faced by Bi+ individuals. Journalist and broadcaster Nichi Hodgson highlighted that Bi+ individuals are often dismissed as “indecisive” or “less loyal” in their personal and professional lives, while Alex Cairns, Head of Operations at Unlimit, reflected on the social stigma that prevents many Bi+ men from being open about their identity, even in supportive environments. Florence Schechter, author and consultant, added that societal pressure often forces Bi+ individuals to “choose” one side of their identity, denying them the full breadth of their experiences.

They are not alone in facing bias. Bobbi Pickard, CEO of Trans in the City, delivered a poignant spotlight on the barriers faced by trans and non-binary individuals. She described how trans people face higher rates of unemployment and lower chances of promotion in corporate spaces. Many, she said, endure pay cuts just to maintain employment after transitioning. Pickard emphasized that collaboration between businesses is essential to dismantling these systemic barriers.

“It’s not about doing the minimum to tick a box for your own organization,” she said. “It’s about building a system where trans and non-binary people don’t just survive but thrive—no matter which company they work for.”

Her call for empathy and understanding struck a chord, as did her reminder that allyship must go beyond words to become tangible action.

A HOMECOMING FOR BUSINESS STUDENTS

The conference was not only about confronting challenges but also about celebrating victories. A careers fair showcased companies committed to inclusion, while skill-building workshops empowered attendees to build on skills that will help them excel in their careers. The conference concluded with the stunning Strategy& EUROUT Ball at London’s historic Guildhall, a moment to celebrate EUROUT 2024.

I often think EUROUT feels like gay homecoming. The same people return year-after-year, sharing what’s new, catching up with old friends and making new acquaintances, whether they’re part of the immediate LBS community or from further afield. Students and alumni from the global business school community regularly attend the conference and it was great to welcome students from Oxford, INSEAD, ESADE, Haas, HEC, and more at this year’s conference.

I spoke with a first-year MBA student at the Welcome Drinks – they commented that EUROUT was a major factor when deciding to attend LBS because of what it represents—a community where they can feel comfortable and supported. For many, it’s the first time they’ve seen a group of LGBTQ+ business leaders gathered in the same place, inspiring the next.

As an organizer, nothing is more fulfilling than hearing these stories of EUROUT’s lasting impact. It’s how on the dance floor at the celebratory Ball, Shalini Chudasama, EUROUT Board Chair, introduced me to her wife, Tulsi Parida, whom she met at EUROUT and married just months ago: a testament to the connections that begin at the conference and grow into lifelong partnerships. Knowing that this conference has been a catalyst for meaningful, life-changing connections is what drives me. It’s a reminder that the work we do is about building a network that continues to stay in touch, supporting one another long after the conference ends.

I have heard time-and-time again from previous leaders of the conference in the stressful weeks leading up to the big day, that, “We know you’re going through it right now.” They say, “Keep your head up and remember: while you’ll feel relieved when it’s over, you’ll also look back and miss it.” Now, a couple of weeks out, I do find myself starting to miss it. But I also continue to feel the energy. I’m already excited for what’s coming in EUROUT 2025—ready to see how this incredible team will continue to grow, inspire, and lead.

Bio: Max Buck is in his second year of the MBA at London Business School. He is Co-president of EUROUT and the Out in Business Club for 2024-2025. Max has over nine years of experience in product management, operations, and leadership. He was an early member of a San Francisco health tech start up, contributing to its successful IPO. Additionally, he served as Vice-President of the Board of an LGBTQ+ non-profit in San Francisco. At LBS, Max focuses on entrepreneurship, strategy, and technology, and is also the Senior Vice-President of Alumni Relations for the Entrepreneurship Club. You can reach him on Linkedin.

DON’T MISS: WHY QUEER CONFABS MATTER & WHAT WE LEARNED FROM ORGANIZING EUROUT 2023