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LGBTQ+ businesses contribute over £106 billion to the UK economy despite huge challenges, report finds

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Based on largest-ever survey of UK LGBTQ+ entrepreneursSector focus on tech, fintech, biotech and sustainabilityChallenges include disclosure issues, discrimination and doubt

LONDON, Oct. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In partnership with OutBritain, the UK’s first LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce, Open Political Economy Network (OPEN), a leading think tank focusing on diversity and tech, has today launched its LGBTQ+ Businesses Count report, which examines the contribution, challenges and characteristics of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs across the UK. In the absence of official UK data on LGBTQ+ businesses, this pioneering report presents the results of the largest-ever survey of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs in the UK.

The report, sponsored by Accenture, Dow and Goldman Sachs, estimates that there are at least 250,000 LGBTQ+ businesses in the UK, which employ at least 750,000 people, many of them LGBTQ+, and have a combined turnover of at least £106 billion. The largest business founded by an LGBTQ+ entrepreneur that the report identifies is Global Media and Entertainment, which owns Heart, Capital, LBC and many other radio stations, whose founder and CEO Ashley Tabor-King is openly gay.

Most LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs in the report’s survey pointed to particular challenges that they have faced in business because of being LGBTQ+. The most prevalent was doubt, followed by disclosure issues, notably invasive or inappropriate questions and a lack of role models. Next were discrimination and disconnection from mainstream business networks.

At the same time, most entrepreneurs mentioned benefits to their business from being LGBTQ+. Some 68% said it made them more determined to succeed and overcome adversity and 67% that their diverse perspectives and experience yielded business benefits, while 42% gained from an LGBTQ+ customer base.

To mitigate some of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, OPEN proposes three recommendations on collecting better data, providing distinct support and developing supplier diversity:

Better data. Good public policy, sound business decisions and broader public understanding all require solid data. Companies House therefore ought to ask (but not require) company directors to disclose their sexual orientation and gender identity.Distinct support. To ensure that LGBTQ+ businesses have a voice in government, an LGBTQ+ business envoy should be appointed. Mainstream business networks should also be more pro-active in attracting, including and representing LGBTQ+ businesses. OutBritain also has a crucial role to play.Supplier diversity. Both large corporates and public authorities ought to do more to enhance equality of opportunity for diverse businesses, notably LGBTQ+ ones, in their procurement decisions. This would help LGBTQ+ businesses overcome the entrenched disadvantages they face, while providing corporates with more diverse and resilient supply chains.

Philippe Legrain, Founder of OPEN and lead author of the report, said: “While the UK has made huge progress in tackling legal injustices and social prejudices against LGBTQ+ people, the past leaves scars. Moreover, business tends to lag behind society as a whole in its acceptance of LGBTQ+ people; among the chief executives of the FTSE 100 leading companies, only one is openly gay. So, it is hugely important to document both the contribution and the challenges of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs in the UK, which is why we have produced this report as a call to action to the government, mainstream business organisations and large corporations.”

Matt Dabrowski, Founder of OutBritain, said: “OutBritain has become a beacon in the UK’s business landscape, demonstrating how diversity is not merely a tagline but a potent catalyst for unprecedented change. Supporting LGBTQ+ businesses and seamlessly integrating them into the global economic ecosystem is at the heart of our organisation. This report not only celebrates the vibrant and dynamic contributions our community make to the UK’s economy, but more importantly, it will allow us to focus and align our efforts in driving a fairer, more diverse UK economy where LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and businesses are given fair representation and the opportunity to thrive.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT THE REPORT #LGBTQBusinessesCount

The report is based on an online survey of 1,517 self-identified LGBTQ+ business founders and owners conducted between January and May 2024.

ABOUT OUTBRITAIN 

OutBritain, the UK’s first LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce, connects, supports and grows the UK LGBTQ+ business community, while connecting it with the rest of the world.

ABOUT OPEN @open2progress

OPEN is an international think tank that focuses on diversity and other openness issues. Its previous reports include Minority Businesses Matter: The Contribution and Challenges of Ethnic Minority Businesses in the UK.

DISCLAIMER

OPEN gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the sponsors of this report, Accenture, Dow and Goldman Sachs. At the same time, the content, words, opinions and views are solely its own and do not necessarily reflect the institutional views of said sponsors or any of their affiliates.

PRESS CONTACTS
info@opennetwork.net
matt@outbritain.co.uk 

Report https://www.opennetwork.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OPEN_LGBTQ-Businesses-Count-final_hi-res.pdf
Photo https://www.opennetwork.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/slide-cover-hi-res.png

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Connexus Introduces ‘ConnexUS’: Redefining Business Travel Management with High-Touch Human Expertise

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20 minutes ago

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October 29, 2026

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HONG KONG, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Connexus, a leading travel management company and subsidiary of CSTS Enterprises, today announced the official launch of ConnexUS, a human-driven service model built to deliver high-touch, personalised advisory and support for corporate travellers and travel managers across the Asia-Pacific region.

While automated tools and self-booking portals handle basic reservations quickly, business travel management still requires experienced human judgment for complex itineraries, sudden disruptions, and high-stakes executive requirements. ConnexUS fills this gap by pairing digital tools with dedicated travel specialists who provide proactive, tailored support at every step of the journey.

“Digital platforms offer speed for routine bookings, but true confidence in business travel comes from human accountability and real-world experience,” said Simon Hague, Managing Director at Connexus. “With ConnexUS, we are putting our specialists front and center, ensuring clients receive dedicated support, strategic guidance, and fast crisis resolution whenever challenges arise.”

Key Features of ConnexUS Include:

Dedicated Travel Consultants: Accounts are assigned to experienced advisors who know company policies, executive travel preferences, and specific routing requirements inside out.In-House 24/7 Duty of Care: Immediate, round-the-clock support managed directly by our internal team to handle flight cancellations, severe weather impacts, or unexpected travel emergencies in real time.Complex Itineraries & MICE Support: Specialised coordination for multi-stop corporate trips, VIP itineraries, and large-scale meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions.Integrated Hybrid Service: Direct alignment between the Connex digital platforms and ConnexUS advisors, allowing travel managers to automate simple tasks while maintaining immediate access to expert human support.

ConnexUS is now available to all corporate clients across the region. To learn more or request a consultation, visit www.connexustravel.com or reach out to the Connexus team at sales@connexustravel.com.

About Connexus

Connexus is an award-winning travel management company and wholly-owned subsidiary of CSTS Enterprises. Founded in 1948 as Swire Travel, the company is Hong Kong’s first registered travel agency and has over 78 years of trusted heritage, delivering seamless, tech-enabled solutions combining personalised 24/7 support with advanced digital capabilities.

Connexus offers a comprehensive suite of travel management services spanning corporate travel, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions), and luxury leisure travel.

For more information, visit us at www.connexustravel.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

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SOURCE Connexus

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Constellation Research Announces Winners of the 16th Annual SuperNova Awards

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21 minutes ago

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October 29, 2026

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Global Teams Recognized for Innovative Digital Initiatives and Measurable Business Impact

CUPERTINO, Calif., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Constellation Research today announced the winners of its 16th annual SuperNova Awards, recognizing teams that are driving innovation, tackling complex business challenges, and delivering measurable impact through technology and digital transformation. The 2026 winners were revealed during Connected Enterprise, Constellation Research’s flagship executive conference, on October 28.

“SuperNova winners represent the teams turning innovation into meaningful business outcomes,” said R “Ray” Wang, CEO and founder of Constellation Research. “What stands out about this year’s winners is their ability to move beyond experimentation and put emerging technologies to work against real business challenges. These teams are creating tangible impact today while helping define what’s next for the AI Age.”

As organizations navigate rapid advances in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, business leaders are under increasing pressure to turn innovation into measurable results. The 2026 SuperNova Award winners demonstrate how organizations are responding to that challenge across data, cybersecurity, employee experience, human capital management, marketing and sales, customer experience, and technology modernization. Their initiatives highlight the creativity, leadership, and execution required to translate technology investments into meaningful business outcomes.

2026 SuperNova Award Winners

Data to Decisions
Thrive Learning

Digital Safety, Governance, Privacy & Cybersecurity
Picarro, Inc.

Future of Work: Employee Experience
Team Air Distributing

Future of Work: Human Capital Management
ecosio

Marketing & Sales Effectiveness
Lumen Technologies

Next-Generation Customer Experience
The Dufresne Group and Jaguar Land Rover

Tech Optimization & Modernization
ABB Ltd

The 2026 winners were selected through a combination of expert evaluation by a distinguished panel of analysts, influencers, media, and industry leaders, along with input from public polling.

For more information on the 2026 SuperNova Awards and this year’s winners, visit https://www.constellationr.com/communities/supernova-awards-2026.

ABOUT CONSTELLATION RESEARCH

Constellation Research is a technology research and advisory firm providing strategic insights and practical guidance to business leaders navigating technology and innovation. Our analysts bring deep industry expertise and practitioner experience to help organizations make informed decisions, identify emerging opportunities, and navigate complex business and technology challenges. Constellation serves business leaders through research, advisory services, executive communities, events, and thought leadership spanning emerging technologies, business transformation, artificial intelligence, customer experience, innovation, and the future of work. Constellation also produces DisrupTV, a weekly show hosted by founder R “Ray” Wang and Vala Afshar featuring conversations with influential technology and business leaders.

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SOURCE Constellation Research

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Tata Communications to Build India’s AI Super Highway

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1 hour ago

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October 29, 2026

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Planned USD 400 – 450 million investment to create 10,000 km of AI-ready connectivity infrastructure linking India’s key data center and AI hubs

NEW DELHI, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tata Communications, a leading global communications technology player, today announced strategic investments of close to USD 450 million to build an AI super highway in India – a high-speed, low-latency network fabric connecting India’s key AI data-centre corridors. The company will build around 10,000 kilometers of the new long-haul fiber across India, creating one of the country’s largest AI-ready connectivity network. Integrated with Tata Communications’ global network backbone, the AI super highway will provide customers with a seamless, end-to-end connectivity fabric, supporting the performance, resilience and scale required for next-generation AI workloads.

India’s data centre industry is poised for significant growth in the near future, driven by accelerating cloud adoption, AI deployment, increasing data localisation requirements, and growing enterprise demand for resilient, high-capacity digital infrastructure. As data centre capacity expands rapidly across the country, connectivity is becoming as critical as compute power and energy availability in enabling the next generation of digital services.

Rupesh Chokshi, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Executive Vice President & Global Business Head – Network Services, Tata Communications, said, “The AI economy needs more than compute. It needs a network built for speed, scale and resilience. Tata Communications has long played a foundational role in enabling India’s digital economy, and our AI Network Fabric builds on that legacy. Our AI Network Fabric will give our global customers the ultra-low-latency, high-capacity and resilient connectivity they need to scale AI with confidence. By connecting India’s AI and data center hubs to the world, we are enabling our customers to grow and helping fuel India’s next chapter of economic growth.”

The investment aims to strengthen India’s emergence as a global AI and cloud connectivity gateway, intending to meet the unprecedented demand from hyperscale and neocloud providers, AI workloads, digital-native businesses, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), enterprises and emerging cloud platforms. It will enable global hyperscalers, digital platforms and multinational enterprises to scale their operations in India with confidence as the country enters its next phase of digital transformation.

The first phase of the program will focus on the Mumbai-Pune-Hyderabad-Chennai corridor, one of India’s most important AI and hyperscale growth routes. Subsequent phases will expand connectivity into emerging East Coast and Western India data centre ecosystems, including Vizag, Bhubaneswar, Jamnagar, GIFT City and other strategic locations. By linking the key AI corridors and data centre clusters with international cable landing stations, Tata Communications will enable seamless connectivity between India and major global AI hubs across, positioning India as a strategic gateway in the global digital infrastructure landscape.

In parallel, Tata Communications will continue to support existing enterprise and data centre connectivity requirements by scaling its current National Long Distance and metro network footprint, ensuring continued support for current growth while building capacity for future demand.

 

SOURCE Tata Communications

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