Leading with Impact: Steve Izquierdo on Allyship and Inclusive Leadership

Steve Izquierdo, Chief People Officer at RS Group, opened WorkPride Day 3 with an engaging keynote filled with authenticity and inspiration.

Steve is Chief People Officer at RS Group, and for the past year has served as executive sponsor of Spectrum, the company's global LGBTIQA+ employee resource group. By his own admission, he came into the role with a fairly simple idea of what allyship meant. "I thought allyship was about showing up to events. That being there was enough. I've realised it's a lot more than that — it's about self-learning, truly listening to understand, and then taking appropriate action. And ultimately, it's about being consistent. Not just at certain times. Always." — Steve Izquierdo, Chief People Officer & Global Spectrum Executive Sponsor, RS Group

He spoke candidly about the difference between showing up internally, where he feels confident, where the environment is psychologically safe, and showing up externally, where the risks feel higher and the temptation to stay quiet is stronger.

He also spoke to the ripple effect of leadership, the idea that culture isn't built by policy alone, but by the conversations leaders choose to have, and the responsibility to shape the culture through every interaction, every conversation, every moment they choose to speak, or choose to stay silent. "Culture is a conversation. As leaders, we have a number of conversations every single day. If we don't say something when we should say something, that also says something about the culture within which we operate." — Steve Izquierdo, Chief People Officer & Global Spectrum Executive Sponsor, RS Group

It’s a simple idea, but one that takes real commitment. And it was the thread running through everything Steve shared at WorkPride this year, the belief that inclusion isn't built through grand gestures, but through the small, consistent choices leaders make to create space for people to be seen, heard, and able to thrive. His message to managers watching was clear: are you creating the space for these conversations in your own teams? "There's so much more we can do — the possibility for us as an employer to continue to make improvements, to truly make a difference for members of the community within RS, and ideally outside of RS. That's what really keeps me engaged." – Steve Izquierdo, Chief People Officer & Global Spectrum Executive Sponsor, RS Group

Looking ahead to his second year as Global Spectrum Chair, Steve shared commitments to deepen RS Group's partnerships with organisations including myGwork, Trans in the City, Global Butterflies, Gay for Good, and the Wellman Project, and to show up with a stronger external voice in the year to come.

His message to colleagues who want to be supportive but aren't sure where to start? Lean in, be respectfully curious, and use your position, however big or small, to ask: how can I impact the culture around me?

Watch Steve’s keynote here WorkPride 2026 – Day 3 Inspirational Keynote - Zoom

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