Leading with Pride: LGBTQ+ Leadership and Changemaker Conference

Leading with Pride - Scotland’s Flagship LGBTQ+ Leadership and Changemaker Conference : Community Power For Collective Change

🌈 Get ready for a day packed with powerful storytelling, exclusive expert insights, exciting networking opportunities, and inspiring moments to learn, connect, and celebrate our community together!🌈

Leading with Pride is Scotland’s flagship LGBTQ+ Leadership and Changemaker event which aims to connect and celebrate LGBTQ+ leaders, entrepreneurs, creators, founders and changemakers who are all working hard to create a future where all LGBTQ+ people can thrive.

It is a brave, visionary space where long lasting partnerships are formed and LGBTQ+ voices are platformed and uplifted. Hosted by LGBTQ+ award winning social entrepreneurs and LGBTQ+ couple Ellis and Lou Beardsmore of Proud Futures (formerly Pride Outside CIC), this event is in it’s second year, and this time we have an even bigger venue as last year tickets sold out within a week!

This is a unique opportunity to meet other trailblazing LGBTQ+ people and allies in Scotland and take part in a range of panel discussions, workshops and networking opportunities with other LGBTQ+ changemakers across business, public services, charity, social enterprise and creative industries. As well as hearing from inspiring and expert speakers, you will also be entertained by some of the best LGBTQ+ talent in Scotland!

Who is this event for?

• LGBTQ+ leaders and aspiring leaders
• LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group’s (ERS) and network leads
• LGBTQ+ organisations and people
• LGBTQ+ allies in organisations
• LGBTQ+ academics, researchers and educators
• LGBTQ+ community organisers and grassroots activists
• Local government and civil service change agents
• LGBTQ+ board members and trustees
• LGBTQ+ led social enterprises, B corps, Co ops, charities & socially good organisations
• Public health professionals focused on LGBTQ+ wellbeing
• HR and DEI professionals
• LGBTQ+ tech founders committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion
• Funders of LGBTQ+ enterprises
• LGBTQ+ content creators and influencers

Your hosts:

Ellis Beardsmore (they/them) - Co-founder of Proud Futures

Ellis' leadership journey began in their youth, taking on key roles in youth groups and becoming chair of the British Youth Council charity at just 21. Their passion for leadership and social justice has since evolved, leading them to co-found Pride Outside.

With over 20 years of experience in the UK and internationally, Ellis has held leadership roles across the nonprofit sector, including serving as CEO of an educational charity in Scotland. Their global experience includes working in Sudan and Pakistan on youth and education programs with the Department for International Development.

Beyond their professional leadership, Ellis is a trainee psychotherapist specialising in work with the trans community in Glasgow. They are also a dedicated volunteer, actively supporting LGBTQ+ initiatives and fostering inclusive spaces.

When they aren’t driving change in their professional and community work, Ellis finds inspiration in Scotland’s rural landscapes, whether mountain biking through challenging trails or camping out in nature.

You can connect with Ellis on Linkedin

Lou Beardsmore (she/her) – Co-founder of Proud Futures

Lou Beardsmore is an inclusive leader and changemaker dedicated to fostering LGBTQ+ inclusion, leadership, and wellbeing. As the co-founder of Pride Outside CIC, a Glasgow-based social enterprise, Lou is committed to creating transformative spaces that empower individuals and organisations to embrace diversity and drive meaningful change for their LGBTQ+ employees, clients and service users.

With over 20 years of experience in the third sector, Lou has worked across the UK and internationally with global organisations such as the Red Cross, Oxfam, and ActionAid. Her expertise spans DEI, fundraising, grant management and social impact, having collaborated with over 100 charities, B corps and social enterprises to amplify their impact.

When she’s not driving social change, Lou can be found adventuring across Scotland in her very old trusty campervan. And if you happen to stumble upon a comedy stage, don’t be surprised to see her there too—using humor as a tool for activism, delivering her sharp, politically charged comedy with the same passion she brings to her leadership and inclusion work!

You can connect with Lou on Linkedin

Proud Futures

Proud Futures (formerly Pride Outside CIC) are an award winning social enterprise championing LGBTQ+ Learning, Leadership and Wellbeing in Scotland. We are on a mission to create a world where all LGBTQ+ people feel safe and can thrive and we do this through our LGBTQ+ Inclusion work with organisations, LGBTQ+ Leadership programme and Conference and our LGBTQ+ Wellbeing programmes and annual outdoor festival in Glasgow.

You can find out more about Proud Futures work on their website:

www.proudfutures.org.uk

Accessibility

We want to make this event as accessible as possible so we will ask you at registration if there's anything we can do to make the event more accessible to you.

You can also email us on events@prideoutside.org.uk as we want everyone to feel comfortable welcome at our events.

• Wheelchairs - The Social Hub is a wheelchair accessible venue on the ground floor
• Toilets - there are gender neutral and accessible toilets on the ground floor
• Seating - there is a variety of seating chairs with backs and stools along with space for wheelchairs.
• Drinks - this is a sober event with tea, coffee, water and pastries
• Food - a veggie lunch will be provided along with tea, coffee and pastries - but you can slo check out TSH full menu here if you prefer to order your own food.
• Pictures - please let us know at check in if you don't want to be in pictures
• Parking - is 4 minute walk at NCP Glassford Street - The Glasshouse NCP Car Park

How to get there:

Address: The Social Hub, Candleriggs Square GLASGOW G1 1TQ

Train: the venue is only a 10 minute walk from Queen Street Station or Central station.

Driving: parking is a 4 minute walk at NCP Glassford Street - The Glasshouse NCP Car Park

Subway: the nearest subway station is a 10 minute walk from St Enoch station

Bikes: bike racks are available just outside the venue