We believe that it should be much easier for LGBTQ+ people to build successful careers in the recruitment industry – regardless of their level.

Derek Mackenzie (Founder)

Campaign is the UK’s first peer-to-peer LGBTQ+ business network for the recruitment industry.

We’re opening the circle for LGBTQ+ recruitment professionals in what often feels like a closed space.

How Campaign helps LGBTQ+ recruitment friends.

We advise recruitment businesses on how to make their workspace safe and inclusive for their LGBTQ+ staff.

Most straight people in recruitment feel awkward when talking about LGBTQ+ stuff full stop. At work, it’s a minefield. That’s why Campaign tackles 'the pink elephant in the office' straight on, with no awkwardness!

By sharing ideas and inclusivity strategies, we improve LGBTQ+ representation for people working in recruitment that promotes a sense of togetherness.

We want you to bring your authentic self to work without fear and offer you friendship and emotional support along the way.

That’s why we’re all about giving back, and empowering allies and our LGBTQ+ recruitment friends to make change for better workplaces - which is long overdue. Campaign is not another pinkwash - it's run voluntarily by perfectly imperfect, committed, and caring people!

Meet the founder - Derek Mackenzie.

Derek Mackenzie - Campaign Founder

  • It is almost laughable that we are STILL talking about the right to be yourself at work. But it’s not funny. It’s ridiculous. I’ve been in recruitment for over 25 years and have seen its best and worst sides as a gay man. I spent years having to code switch and was split between Derek at home, and Derek at work. And it’s utterly exhausting.

    Coming out was a painful, frightening, and lonely experience. But now, I’m a happily married gay man and father!

  • I’m the CEO of award-winning recruitment company Investigo, where I design and deliver business strategy and lead our continued global expansion. I co-lead our Pride Committee and am an executive director at The IN Group, the talent solutions group of which we’re a part. If you’d like to, please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.

  • “How can an organisation be truly inclusive when there’s only one person who’s LGBTQ there?”

    I was asked this by a listener during APSCo Embrace’s LGBT+ Inclusion Webinar. I had no idea, which bothered me for days.

    I started thinking about all the boutique recruitment firms in the UK, and wondered how many might only have one or two LGBTQ+ people working there? How on earth are they dealing with that? And what did their bosses know about working with inclusivity?

    After speaking to gay friends in recruitment, I realised there was no professional LGBTQ+ support network and decided enough was enough – let’s create one! And just like that, Campaign was born.

    There’s more about my coming out story here. It’s been quite a journey!

  • If you’d like a chat or have any questions about Campaign, and you’d feel more comfortable emailing me directly, then email derek@wecampaign.co and your message will come to me in confidence.

    Want to connect with me on LinkedIn? Please do! You can find me here.

Meet Campaign’s partners.

Our partners are kind, welcoming, open, and honest. They’re smart, experienced, and highly successful leaders with first-hand experience of LGBTQ+ challenges in recruitment, and proof that if you’re in recruitment and LGBTQ+, you CAN be a high achiever and go far!

They’re generous too, giving free mentorship to anyone who’s LGBTQ+ in recruitment because it’s a fact that when you have to hide your authentic self - which a huge load to carry - then you won’t be maximising your potential or earning as much … which is just NOT ON.

LGBTQ+ and in recruitment? Join Campaign and get the unique peak performance tools to achieve maximum profitability and flourish in the alpha-straight-male industry that is recruitment.

What our recruitment community are saying about Campaign:

  • “Most individual organisations have a very small LGBTQ+ community, so it can feel quite lonely or isolating if you’re LGBTQ+ and working in one. Through Campaign we’re bringing the LGBTQ+ community together, listening to their challenges, experiences, and ideas directly, so we drive inclusivity and acceptance in recruitment, search, and selection. As an ally I have ran LGBTQ+ sub-groups for organisations and have seen the lack of representation and support. Yet, I also know that with the right focus and education, a culture of awareness and inclusion can be created so everyone feels they belong just as they are. Taking this to the wider talent industry is our mission with Campaign.”

    MARIE CUFFARO - Managing Director, Sheffield Haworth

  • “There is so much work to be done around inclusivity in recruitment. Some firms are leading the way, but most are lagging behind. Campaign matters because it creates a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community to share what we need to do as an industry to make sure everyone achieve massive success – both personally and professionally.”

    ANTHONY WEBSTER - Managing Director, DVF Recruitment

  • “Creating inclusive change means making sure absolutely everyone feels at home at work. This means those of us who are LGBTQ+ in the recruitment community, coming together, sharing ideas that actually result in change and ensures everyone has a place at the table.”

    ELLEN MULVEY - Executive Director, Bruin Financial

  • “All my life I have never felt that I belonged anywhere or fitted into any category. Belonging is so very important to me as a Queer person. Being in the recruitment industry and working at Harvey Nash has made me feel like I do belong somewhere for the first time in my life. I am not judged by how I look, or how I approach my role. I am respected in my own right, and for my views on LGBTQ+ people.”

    KEZ BANASZAK - Project Manager, Harvey Nash

  • “Queer people are an integral part of every industry and deserve the opportunity to have a workplace that works for them. Campaign is vital to this becoming common practice; being led by those who know the challenges best, and from the voices who are ready to drive the change.”

    SAMUEL BAILEY - Marketing Analyst, Nash Squared

  • “As an industry we’ve been speaking about inclusivity and change for too long. Recruitment is far from inclusive for our LGBTQ+ community. It should be a career where success is open to all. And now – with Campaign - it’s time for action!”

    LUCY MORGAN - Managing Director, Pod Talent

News and Blogs

Latest News and Blogs
Campaign Event - ‘Being an ally’
Campaign Event - ‘Being an ally’

Starting off UK Pride History Month with our first event of 2024, titled 'Being an Ally,'. Our panel included Lauren Adams from TEKsystems, Lucy Morgan and Seba Dyer from Pod Talent, and Jake Freeman from Goodman Masson. Maria Cuffaro hosted the evening's discussions.

Read More →
Role Model: Lauren Adams, Senior Communications Executive
Role Model: Lauren Adams, Senior Communications Executive

Lauren Adams, Senior Communications Executive at TEKSytems is our next role model. Lauren is a little newer to the recruitment sector and is seeing positive steps being taken to make it a more inclusive place. As Lauren says below, ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ and we couldn’t agree more. Read Lauren’s why Lauren wanted to be a Campaign role model and how she hopes it will help those that come into the industry after her.

Read More →
Role Model: Jake Freeman, Goodman Masson
Role Model: Jake Freeman, Goodman Masson

The second of our role model is Jake Freeman, Director of Banking & Financial Services at Goodman Masson. Jake has 15 years experience in the recruitment sector and knows how important it is to have visible role models in which you can both see yourself and be inspired. Jake talks about being an ally and what he would like to see change for the LGBTQ+ community in the recruitment sector.

Read More →
Role Model: Lucy Morgan, CEO of Pod Talent
Role Model: Lucy Morgan, CEO of Pod Talent

An openly LGBTQ+ role models create visibility…and show other it’s ok to be who you are’. Hear more from Lucy on changes they would like to see and the importance of being a visible role within the recruitment sector.

Read More →

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If you’re interested in attending an event, sponsorship opportunities or want to get involved with Campaign, then send a message via our Contact Us form. This goes to Campaign’s brand and marketing team. We will get back to you in 24 hours during the working week.