Chief Operating Officer amongst most influential LGBT Executives in the UK

Geoff has been recognised as being amongst the most influential Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) executives in business today, in the Out at Work Top 50 rankings.

He ranked 43rd in the prestigious list, published in the Telegraph on Friday, 16 January 2015.

The influential rankings recognise the contribution that prominent individuals have made to create and promote LGBT networks and initiatives within the workplace.

Geoff is chair of the University’s Rainbow Group, which advises and makes recommendations involving the LGBT student and staff community, as well as co-ordinating the annual Pride event.

Speaking of the award, Geoff said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been both nominated, and selected, to be a part of this list. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication shown by colleagues and students throughout the University which make Exeter a vibrant, inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone."

The Top 50 LGBT Executives In Business list was compiled via nominations, with each individual nominee considered against select criteria, before being considered by an advisory panel which included Lord Cashman of Limehouse and Aongus Hegarty, the President of Dell for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Geoff’s award comes as the University of Exeter was named as one of the top-200 best employers in Britain for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff.

Leading charity Stonewall ranked Exeter 176th – a leap of 92 places compared to last year – in its 11th annual Workplace Equality Index, published on Thursday, January 15.

The Index is based on a range of key indicators which include a confidential questionnaire of lesbian, gay and bisexual staff, with over 9,700 participants nationwide.

The University joined Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme, a good practice employers’ forum for LGB issues in the workplace, in August 2013.