At Virgin Media O2, allyship is a practical, everyday choice to listen, learn and stand alongside LGBTQ+ colleagues. In this interview with myGwork, team members at Virgin Media O2 explore what LGBTQ+ allyship means, why visible support matters for equality, and the simple actions anyone can take to help everyone belong and do their best work.
What is an LGBTQ+ ally?
An LGBTQ+ ally is someone who listens to lived experiences, shows up with respect and helps create a workplace where people feel safe to be themselves.
"To me, allyship is about taking responsibility for creating an environment where everyone can be themselves and do their best work. It's not something we do occasionally, it's something we demonstrate through our actions every day.
Allies play an important role in building inclusive workplaces because inclusion doesn't sit with any one community. It takes all of us. As leaders, we must listen to and learn from our people, challenge behaviours that exclude others and actively create opportunities for everyone to succeed and thrive.
At Virgin Media O2, we want to be a place where everyone feels they belong. That's not only the right thing to do; it's fundamental to building a stronger business, serving our customers better and bringing out the best in our people.”
Philipp Wohland · Chief People & Transformation Officer
"For me, allyship is about having open and honest conversations about topics that might be unfamiliar, sensitive or emotive. It means listening without judgment or defensiveness and standing alongside colleagues in moments of vulnerability as well as celebration. That's how inclusion becomes something people can feel in their day-to-day work."
Nicola Heywood · Talent Acquisition Partner
Why are allies important for LGBTQ+ equality?
Allies are important for LGBTQ+ equality because they help make support visible before someone has to ask for it.
Allies help people feel safe.
"Before I came out, Virgin Media O2 announced transition-related support. I remember reading the announcement and feeling emotional. I wasn't out yet, not even to myself fully, but seeing that message from the business made me feel safe in a way I can't properly explain".
Allies make inclusion easier to navigate.
"When I did come out, my team made everything feel easy and natural. My best friend at work helped me with pronouns and made sure the rest of the team understood how to support me."
Allies help people feel less alone.
"Proudly, our LGBTQIA+ employee network at Virgin Media O2, helped me connect with people who understand what I'm going through, and that made such a difference."
Charlee Hoad · Assistant Store Leader
Four key things allies can do to create an LGBTQ+ inclusive workplace
Five things allies can do: listen carefully, get involved in initiatives, build inclusion into the way work gets done, engage with employee networks and keep learning.
1. Listen carefully
"Create space for open and honest conversations about topics that might be personal, sensitive or unfamiliar. Listen to lived experiences without judgment or defensiveness. My manager gave me time to attend appointments and space to be honest about how I was feeling during fertility treatment."
Nicola Heywood · Talent Acquisition Partner
2. Get involved in initiatives
"Show up in spaces where you can learn and help others, spearheading initiatives for your colleagues and being part of spaces where you feel uncomfortable to help you listen and learn more."
Savannah Small-Swaby · Employer Brand Lead
3. Engage with employee networks
"Virgin Media O2's employee networks run events in offices and external venues, helping colleagues connect and learn from each other."
Katreece Roberts · Finance Graduate
4. Keep learning from others
"Through mentoring, panels and employee network events, I've learnt from people who've achieved what I aspire to and become a better ally and advocate."
Bernard Waihenya · Junior Full Stack Developer
What does it mean to you to be an ally?
"To me, being an ally means helping people feel supported without making them justify who they are or what they need.
That became clear during my fertility journey. Like many people in same-sex relationships who want to start a family, fertility treatment wasn't straightforward. There were emotional highs and lows, practical challenges and financial considerations. What made a difference was how Virgin Media O2 responded. I was met with understanding, flexibility and genuine care, and I felt heard and supported at work."
Nicola Heywood · Talent Acquisition Partner
When and why did you join the LGBTQ+ community in its pursuit of equality?
"In 2025, attending London Pride with Virgin Media O2's Proudly network strengthened how allyship shows up in practice.
While I don't identify as LGBTQ+, I see myself as an ally. That was shaped by my time at Leeds University, where I had a large group of friends who identified across the queer spectrum. Pride gave me a practical way to show support, and being part of the parade with Proudly helped me see how powerful visibility, community and belonging can be."
