We believe that everyone should come as they are to work, without fear of it impacting or limiting their opportunities and experiences. Our award winning Breathe network is a community of LGBT+ colleagues and allies that celebrate and promote the full spectrum of LGBT+ identities and support the LGBT+ community both in the workplace and externally across the UK; actively working with clients, audited entities, LGBT+ focused charities such as African Rainbow Family and other organisations.
Breath network leadership team
Commitments and recognition
We’ve committed to having 6% Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual representation at Partner level by 2030.
We’ve been recognised as a Stonewall Top 100 Employer since 2016 and in 2024 were placed 22nd in the list.
Our LGBT+ network Breathe was awarded a Highly Commended Network Group award at the Stonewall WEI awards in 2023.
Where we are now
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual colleagues firm-wide / 4%
1-Oct-24 spot count
(1-Oct-23: 4%)
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual colleagues at senior level* / 3%
1-Oct-24 spot count
(1-Oct-23: 3%)
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual graduates and apprentice joiners / 7%
FY24
(FY23: 7%)
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual new experienced hires / 4%
FY24
(FY23: 3%)
These figures are based on the total headcount as of 1 Oct 24. This includes those that have undeclared responses, and those who have chosen to respond with “prefer not to say”.
*Senior colleagues are defined as Partners, Directors and Senior Managers.
Find out more about representation across our firm
here. You can also find out about our 2024 Pay Gaps and how we’re addressing them here.
Our LGBT+ action plan
Accountable leaders
We have been named in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers since 2016 and were recognised in the British LGBT Awards Top 10 Inclusive Employers in 2021. Stonewall is Europe’s largest charity for LGBT+ people. They champion and fight for the rights and inclusion of all LGBT+ people in every step of their lives. The Workplace Equality Index is a competitive tool that organisations use to benchmark and measure their LGBT+ inclusion practices against other organisations.
KPMG ranked 22nd, achieving a Gold award and is ranked amongst the Stonewall Top 100 Employers 2024.
Our colleagues have been recognised externally for their LGBT+ inclusion leadership in the workplace. In 2024 Kristina Martirosjana and Rachel Bleetman were recognised in the OUTstanding Top 100 Future Leaders list. In 2023 Mel Knight, Partner and allyship sponsor for our Breathe network was awarded ‘LGBT+ Ally’ and Mariana Ceccotti our Breathe network co-chair received a ‘Inspirational Leader’ award at the 2023 British LGBT+ awards.
We were proud to lead by example by voluntarily publishing our Sexual Orientation Pay Gap in 2021 and annually since to drive greater transparency across all of our IDE metrics.
KPMG ranked 22nd, achieving a Gold award and is ranked amongst the Stonewall Top 100 Employers 2024.
Our colleagues have been recognised externally for their LGBT+ inclusion leadership in the workplace. In 2024 Kristina Martirosjana and Rachel Bleetman were recognised in the OUTstanding Top 100 Future Leaders list. In 2023 Mel Knight, Partner and allyship sponsor for our Breathe network was awarded ‘LGBT+ Ally’ and Mariana Ceccotti our Breathe network co-chair received a ‘Inspirational Leader’ award at the 2023 British LGBT+ awards.
We were proud to lead by example by voluntarily publishing our Sexual Orientation Pay Gap in 2021 and annually since to drive greater transparency across all of our IDE metrics.
Equitable experiences
We’ve put processes in place to support colleagues who wish to change their name, gender marker and/or title on KPMG systems. We have also provided more guidance for colleagues on adding their pronouns to email signatures and on Teams.
Promoting trans inclusion is an important focus for us. We’ve updated our policy documents firm-wide to ensure that the language used is gender neutral. We’ve also updated our diversity monitoring questionnaire to include questions that enable our colleagues to disclose their trans status if they wish, and to help us better understand the diversity make-up of our firm. In 2023 we refreshed our trans policy and guidance documents to provide greater support to trans colleagues.
Promoting trans inclusion is an important focus for us. We’ve updated our policy documents firm-wide to ensure that the language used is gender neutral. We’ve also updated our diversity monitoring questionnaire to include questions that enable our colleagues to disclose their trans status if they wish, and to help us better understand the diversity make-up of our firm. In 2023 we refreshed our trans policy and guidance documents to provide greater support to trans colleagues.
Our broader impact
We join forces with LGBT+ networks in other organisations to strengthen our work in this area. We also team up with leading LGBT+ charities, and engage in thought leadership, to help improve the workplace for everyone and the experience for LGBT+ people throughout the UK and beyond.
In the last few years, our LGBT+ network Breathe has created a transport-focused LGBT+ network with more than 50 organisations which is helping to implement change in this sector. Breathe are long-standing supporters of the charity Terrence Higgins Trust, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2022. Breathe partnered with Network Rail’s LGBT+ Network, Archway to raise £40,000 across 2022/2023 to support this milestone. In addition to this, Breathe have made a public commitment to mentor 50 LGBT+ refugees over three years in partnership with refugee charity, Tent.
In the last few years, our LGBT+ network Breathe has created a transport-focused LGBT+ network with more than 50 organisations which is helping to implement change in this sector. Breathe are long-standing supporters of the charity Terrence Higgins Trust, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2022. Breathe partnered with Network Rail’s LGBT+ Network, Archway to raise £40,000 across 2022/2023 to support this milestone. In addition to this, Breathe have made a public commitment to mentor 50 LGBT+ refugees over three years in partnership with refugee charity, Tent.
Inclusive environment
Our award-winning Breathe Employee Network – which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022 – exists to celebrate and promote LGBT+ awareness and to provide opportunities for colleagues to share experiences, gain guidance on professional development and to engage non-LGBT+ colleagues. The network also engages our clients in raising LGBT+ awareness.
From a recruitment perspective, we run dedicated events for LGBT+ students on university campuses and at our offices. We are the co-founders of AuthentiCity, an annual recruitment event for LGBT+ students looking to explore career opportunities in Professional Services, Finance, Fund Management or Technology in the City. Students are offered the opportunity to meet representatives from a number of firms, including ours, to gain a valuable insight into their work and their experiences of being LGBT+ in the workplace.
From a recruitment perspective, we run dedicated events for LGBT+ students on university campuses and at our offices. We are the co-founders of AuthentiCity, an annual recruitment event for LGBT+ students looking to explore career opportunities in Professional Services, Finance, Fund Management or Technology in the City. Students are offered the opportunity to meet representatives from a number of firms, including ours, to gain a valuable insight into their work and their experiences of being LGBT+ in the workplace.