A Word From Our Woodlanders

As the end of Pride month approaches, we wanted to take a moment to shine the light on the stories of two Woodlanders who are proud members of the LGBTQ+ community. Richard and Emily decided to reach out and share their experiences at Woodland Group and discuss the importance of being able to feel valued and seen at work to be free to express your individuality.??

Richard joined Woodland as Group Training Manager, and driven by immense passion and dedication for teaching and sharing, has quickly developed a huge roster of important development tools as well as digital and face-to-face training sessions. As an integral part of the company and the LGBTQ+ community, Richard is committed to creating awareness around equality and inclusivity and is keen to do so by sharing his experience at Woodland Group in his own words:

“At Woodland, we are all appreciated for what we know, not just who we are. Since joining the company, I have only had positive interactions with colleagues from across the group.

?"My sexuality is of course an important part of what makes me me, but it is only a small part of who I am. At work, people care a lot more about my skills, knowledge, approachability, honesty, respect for others, passion and dedication.

"Working as part of the ‘people team’, I have the opportunity to create initiatives that are designed to educate everyone at Woodland Group about the LGBTQ+ community, and I am always delighted with the positive response these initiatives receive.

"This pride month, I’m proud to be part of a company which values everyone, regardless of who they are. Woodland doesn’t just wave the pride flag in June, we support each other and promote our individual perspectives, orientations, backgrounds, and life experiences throughout the year!”

Emily is Woodland Group’s US Compliance Manager and is based in our New York Office. Since joining the company, Emily has achieved significant milestones, paving the way for a successful career and creating true positive impact within the industry. Emily comments on how important it is that she’s felt at ease to express her true self since the start of her journey with us and eagerly shares her experience, hoping to inspire others to celebrate each other’s differences:?

“As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, my experience at Woodland Group has been nothing short of empowering. From day one, I have felt welcomed and valued for who I am and what I bring to this company. Woodland’s commitment to diversity and inclusion goes beyond policies and procedures—it's woven into the very fabric of our culture.

"Working in such a supportive environment allows me to show up to work every day as my authentic self. I’m proud to be part of a team that recognizes and celebrates our differences, fostering a sense of belonging and community. Woodland's mission statement is We Care. We Connect. We Deliver. It's clear to me that they do - and not just in terms of trade. Here at Woodland Group, we practise what we preach. And we take action. We've even held educational programming and trainings surrounding pronoun usage, inclusivity, and more.?

"I'm so proud to work at a company where inclusivity and diversity aren't just buzzwords. Woodland Group walks the walk. I feel incredibly supported and valued here every single day. Feeling valued and respected for who I am allows me to thrive both personally and professionally. I'm grateful to be part of a company that not only acknowledges but celebrates our differences. Here's to continuing creating more inclusive workplaces everywhere and celebrating the uniqueness of each and every individual!”

At Woodland Group we believe that being true to oneself and expressing one's distinctiveness is the key to grow as a community and spread positivity and inclusivity amongst each other.?

Let’s create awareness together and celebrate uniqueness and diversity every day.