Kier senior planner Christina Riley has been recognised in this year's 'OUTstanding 50 LGBT+ Future Leaders' list.

Christina, who placed at seven in this year's list, has been recognised for the fourth year running.

The list, in its sixth year, is collated by INvolve, a membership organisation that champions diversity and inclusion in business. It is presented by FT.

Ms Riley has worked to promote the LGBT+ agenda since transitioning from male to female whilst working in the construction industry in 2014. Since then, she has given over 45 diversity and intersectionality talks to the industry and beyond. She has also completed charity bike rides across Britain, raising over £7,500 for Stonewall, MIND, Refuge & the Princes Trust and since joining Kier she joined the LGBT+ and Allies Committee as its Vice Chair.

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Christina is the only Role Model from the construction industry to be recognised in the list. All of the 2018 Role Models were nominated by peers and colleagues, with the nominations then reviewed by OUTstanding's judging panel, which consists of former BP CEO, Lord Browne, Harriet Green OBE, CEO & Chairman of IBM Asia Pacific, amongst other well-known names in business.

Ms Riley said: "I am thrilled to have been recognised on this prestigious list amongst a host of other names doing great things for the awareness of LGBT+ issues in business. When I transitioned there was no visible transgender role models in the industry and I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support I have received since joining Kier.

"It was very humbling to be asked to be the Vice Chair on the Kier LGBT+ and Allies Committee and spreading the word of the committee to Kier employees and other people in the industry has been great; I look forward to seeing what the future will bring."

Suki Sandhu, Founder & CEO, INvolve, added: "Our sixth OUTstanding list is our most international and diverse ever. It features executives representing 21 countries around the world – from Ghana to Germany and from India to Israel. We're so proud to see so many senior and future leaders recognised as role models for their work driving cultural change and creating environments where everyone can succeed. Everyone – regardless of gender, sexuality or ethnicity - benefits from a level playing field where people feel able to bring their whole selves to work."

(CM/MH)