Making space for everyone; creating belonging through allyship

Creating inclusive workplaces where everyone feels valued, respected and able to be themselves is a shared responsibility. We recognize that embracing the different perspectives, experiences, insights and ideas each individual brings strengthens us as a team.

Allyship contributes to a culture where differences are embraced and individuals can succeed. Whether through everyday actions, ongoing learning or speaking up in support of others, they help create environments where people can succeed.

To celebrate the impact of allyship, we invited colleagues from across WTW to share their personal perspectives and experiences on why allyship matters to them and the role they believe allies can play in advancing LGBT+ inclusion and belonging.

To be an ally to me is to help create a culture where everyone feels respected, included and supported and is using your voice to advocate for those who may not always feel able to speak up for themselves. However, to me, effective allyship is not about speaking on behalf of others or talking over them; it is about listening, amplifying their voices and supporting them to be heard.

To me, it’s also important to remember that allyship does not stop at the boundaries of a community. Even as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I recognise that people have different lived experiences, perspectives and challenges to my own and so being an ally, for me, means listening and learning from everyone, not just those whose identities or experiences closely mirror my own.”

Rebecca Garcia-Miller, Employee Relations Support, UK

For me, being an ally means using my voice and influence to support others, especially when their voices may not be heard. It requires empathy, putting ourselves in others' shoes and understanding their experiences. Allyship is about acting and speaking up against unfairness, even when no one asks us to. Most importantly, it is an ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels supported, valued and empowered to succeed.”

Carla Otero de Aresti, Head of Communications, Spain

“Allyship is truly achieved through intentional action. We can all help to create a more inclusive workplace through listening to our colleagues’ stories and past experiences to learn and understand what makes them who they are today; speaking up against and challenging biased, inappropriate or disrespectful treatment towards other colleagues when they are not in the room; giving power to the most affected colleagues by stepping back and letting them lead the conversation making sure their voices and ideas are front and center; and accepting and learning from your mistakes when you make them instead of getting defensive.”

Kerl Chai-Hong, Senior Director, Retirement, North America

“Being an ally means helping to create an environment where people feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work. It involves listening with empathy, staying open to learning and supporting others even when their experiences differ from my own. Allyship is not about having all the answers; it is about being present, showing support, and contributing to a culture where everyone feels valued, respected and included.

Bhavya Shetty, Director, Internal Communication & Change Management, India

For me, being an ally means more to me than support and acceptance: it’s about continuous learning and meaningful action. Whether that’s educating myself or listening to the lived experiences of LGBT+ colleagues, it all matters in helping everyone feel like they belong.

Josh Pagett, Employer Brand Specialist, UK

Allyship looks different for everyone, but at its heart is a shared mindset to supporting others and helping create spaces where everyone feels they belong. The stories and perspectives shared here remind us that inclusion is not built through a single action, but through the collective efforts of individuals who choose to listen, learn and act with empathy. We thank our colleagues for sharing their experiences and for helping to create a more inclusive workplace for all.

Interested in joining a company that champions allyship? Explore current opportunities at WTW