AEG INTERNATIONAL
AEG creates communities, places and spaces that deliver memorable moments through sport and live entertainment, giving the world reason to cheer.
Across Europe, we have an extensive portfolio of live entertainment and sports assets, including: an array of best-in-class venues, such as The O2, indigo at The O2, Eventim Apollo, British Airways ARC, and University of Wolverhampton at The Halls within the UK; Barclays Arena in Hamburg; Uber Arena, Uber Platz and Uber Eats Music Hall in Berlin; and Accor Arena in Paris; as well as renowned music festivals, including American Express presents BST Hyde Park, Uber One presents All Points East, Forwards Festival, Eden Sessions, Country 2 Country, and Rock en Seine.
AEG Presents promote and manage concerts and tours; AXS Europe connect fans to events through specialist ticketing technology; Global Partnerships link brands into AEG’s network of assets; and our Real Estate division turns ordinary spaces into vibrant cultural hubs for the local community, such as our pioneering approach to transform ‘The Millennium Dome’ into The O2, making it a first-of-its-kind redevelopment and one of Europe’s most renowned regeneration projects.
What makes us stand out is that our people are at the heart of our business. Attracting and retaining the best of the best is what makes us successful. We’re a team of individuals who lead the industry by supporting one another and working collaboratively across Europe.
We believe in giving everyone a voice to share perspectives, drive empowerment, foster recognition, and ensure equal representation.
We’re united by our passion for what we do.
Vision & Values
As a business, we have a clear vision to be best in class, always. Underpinning this vision are our four core values.
In 2021, at a pivotal moment for the live entertainment industry, we launched our 'We All Make A Difference' programme, introducing five dedicated Employee Network Groups (ENGs). These groups share a common mission: to empower our people, celebrate our differences, and create a truly inclusive workplace.
Pride ENG at AEG: Creating Community, Celebrating Culture and Driving Inclusion
Pride ENG at AEG: Creating Community, Celebrating Culture and Driving Inclusion
The Pride Employee Network Group (ENG) is AEG’s dedicated network for LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies. As one of AEG’s five Employee Network Groups, Pride is part of the company’s “We All Make A Difference” programme, launched in 2021 to help create a workplace where everyone can feel valued, respected and able to be themselves.
At its heart, Pride ENG is about more than simply marking Pride Month. It is about building an ongoing culture of belonging — creating opportunities for people to connect, learn, celebrate LGBTQ+ culture and history, share experiences, and support one another throughout the year.
Our ambition is to ensure that LGBTQ+ colleagues feel represented and have a visible, welcoming and safe space within AEG, while also engaging allies and the wider organisation in meaningful conversations about inclusion.
Bringing Pride to life through culture and events
One of the most visible ways Pride ENG creates impact is through its programme of events, cultural experiences and activities. These give colleagues opportunities to come together in informal and engaging ways, while also creating space to learn about LGBTQ+ history, communities and lived experiences.
Our activities are designed to be varied — from celebrations and social events to educational experiences, cultural visits, music and charitable giving. This means that there are different ways for colleagues to participate, whether they want to celebrate, learn, listen, meet new people or show their support as an ally.
Pride at British Summer Time
A key highlight in the Pride ENG calendar is our Pride party at British Summer Time, bringing colleagues together in an environment that reflects the energy, creativity and celebration associated with Pride.
Events such as this are an important part of building community. They provide an opportunity for LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies to connect outside the traditional workplace environment, celebrate together and strengthen relationships across AEG.
For Pride ENG, these moments of celebration are just as important as educational initiatives. They help create a sense of visibility and belonging and demonstrate that LGBTQ+ culture is an important and valued part of the wider AEG community.
Exploring LGBTQ+ history at Queer Britain
Pride ENG also uses cultural experiences to help colleagues explore the history and diversity of LGBTQ+ communities.
A visit to Queer Britain, the UK’s first LGBTQ+ museum, provides an opportunity to step outside the workplace and engage directly with LGBTQ+ history, stories and cultural heritage.
Experiences like this are an important part of the network’s role in educating, sharing history and encouraging conversations. Understanding where LGBTQ+ communities have come from,
the progress that has been made and the challenges that remain can help colleagues better understand the experiences of others and consider how they can contribute to a more inclusive workplace.
Creating a Queer Library at AEG
Not every Pride activity needs to be a large-scale event. Pride ENG has also created a Queer Library in the office, providing colleagues with an accessible way to explore LGBTQ+ stories, perspectives, history and culture.
The library supports the ENG’s wider commitment to education and knowledge sharing. It gives colleagues the opportunity to discover new authors, perspectives and experiences at their own pace, while creating a visible reminder within the workplace that LGBTQ+ stories and culture belong in the organisation.
It can also provide a starting point for conversations — whether that means an LGBTQ+ colleague seeing their experiences reflected in a book or an ally wanting to learn more about a community or perspective they may not have encountered before.
Pride merchandise and visibility
Pride merchandise provides another simple but powerful way to create visibility across AEG.
Wearing or displaying Pride merchandise can be a visible expression of support and solidarity, helping LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies identify one another and signalling that inclusion is something the organisation actively supports.
Visibility is an important part of the Pride ENG’s mission. We want colleagues to know that the network exists, understand what it does and know how they can get involved or reach out for support.
Supporting LGBTQ+ communities beyond AEG
Pride ENG’s role also extends beyond activities for AEG colleagues. We recognise that inclusion is connected to the wider LGBTQ+ community and that organisations have an opportunity to support charities and groups doing important work outside the workplace.
The ENG has supported organisations including Switchboard, The Outside Project and Stonewall Housing, helping to contribute to causes that support LGBTQ+ people in different circumstances.
This external engagement is an important part of our culture. Pride is not simply about celebrating identity; it is also an opportunity to recognise the challenges faced by different parts of the LGBTQ+ community and to support organisations working directly with those communities.
A space for conversation, support and learning
Alongside its events programme, Pride ENG provides a home and safe space for LGBTQ+ conversation and support at AEG.
The network aims to be visible and accessible, so that colleagues know where to go if they want to get involved, ask a question, share an experience or simply connect with others.
Importantly, Pride ENG is not only for LGBTQ+ colleagues. Allies are a fundamental part of the network. Creating an inclusive culture requires everyone to participate, listen and learn.
The ENG therefore encourages colleagues to approach conversations with curiosity and openness. Being a good ally is not about having all the answers; it is about being willing to listen, understand different experiences and contribute to a respectful environment.
Creating a culture of inclusion across AEG
Pride ENG also works alongside AEG’s other Employee Network Groups to identify common themes and amplify shared messages around diversity and inclusion around intersectionality.
While each ENG has its own community and focus, there are many issues that connect different diversity groups. By working together, the networks can help build a broader culture of inclusion rather than operating in isolation.
This collaborative approach allows Pride ENG to share its experiences and learn from other communities, helping to create an environment where difference is understood as something that strengthens AEG. Examples of this include work with our embRACE ENG around Black Pride.
More than a calendar of events
Ultimately, Pride ENG is about turning inclusion into something people experience in everyday working life.
It is about creating visibility. It is about listening to different perspectives. It is about understanding LGBTQ+ history and culture. It is about supporting colleagues and allies. It is about connecting with LGBTQ+ communities beyond AEG. And it is about inspiring positive change.
