OUR BOARD

CO- DIRECTOR 

SOMEWHERE: FOR US CO-FOUNDER/CO-EDITOR

Thomas is the former Chair of The Co-op's national LGBT+ staff network 'Respect'. During his tenure the organisation became the No1 Private Sector employer for LGBT people in the UK (Stonewall WEI) and the most followed, active and awarded employee network group in Europe.

He went on to launch Inclusive Networks to celebrate and promote workplace diversity and inclusion all over the UK. In 2017 Inclusive Networks won two awards at the Business Innovator Awards and was shortlisted for the ‘Community Initiative of the Year’ award at the British LGBT Awards.

He was also a driving force behind the launch of the UK's first Inter-Retail LGBT+ network, 'CheckOUT', he contributed to the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index 5 Year review and has shared his experience at various workplace conferences and sta network events around the UK and Europe, including Adidas (Germany), Stonewall (Cardi) and PwC (Manchester).

Following the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Thomas

organised Edinburgh’s community vigil.

In recognition of his work in the diversity field he was shortlisted for the 'Diversity Champion of the Year' award at the European Diversity Awards and the 'Positive Action - Diversity Award' at the Asian Fire Service Awards in 2013. He was most recently a finalist at the Proud Scotland Awards in the Community Champion category in 2021.

 NON-EXEC CO-DIRECTOR 

SOMEWHERE: FOR US PODCAST PRODUCER/PRESENTER

“As a queer person working in the LGBT sector for almost a decade, I’m compelled to keep an open mind about what Community means for myself and others, and how life for LGBTQ+ people in Scotland is evolving.  

Along with developing inclusive social programmes for LGBT Health and Wellbeing, I also work closely with Trans communities and families to improve wellbeing and access to support and whilst I love creating a sense of community, I also love being reminded that change, learning and acceptance of difference is vital. 

I imagine the ‘LGBTQ+ Community’ can for many, feel like a concept, a buzz-phrase or someone else’s idea, and it can for me sometimes too. But here in Edinburgh, it has also felt like a real physical experience for me, that can heal, support, connect and enrich myself and others around me.

Until shame (internalised or directed), discrimination and inequality is a thing of the past, there will always be a need for safe, affirmative LGBTQ+ spaces and I’m thrilled to be involved in some of them here in Edinburgh. 

I’m most excited about Somewhere being able to create experiences that never make you question whether you belong. And where the systems and people around you enable you to recognise your own power and a pride in your identity.”