Sander van’t Noordende
“SENIOR LEADERS AND CEOS IN PARTICULAR MUST STAND UP AND SHOW THEIR SUPPORT, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE FOCUS OF THE COMPANY AND ACT AS ROLE MODELS.”
Queer equal opportunities will continue to be an important topic in 2024 – especially in times when we are seeing an increase in queer-hostile activities. It is important for individuals, who are thus gaining more and more freedom to live their authentic selves in the workplace, and just as important for companies that offer their employees an appreciative environment.
Albert Kehrer, CEO of PROUT AT WORK, also emphasized in his opening speech why queer diversity in the workplace is so important: “Queer diversity is considered an indicator of an open and inclusive corporate culture.”
At the PROUT AT WORK Foundation’s 7th DINNER BEYOND BUSINESS, the focus was on the commitment of companies and managers to queer employees: “In times when hatred, hate speech and crime against queer people are on the rise again, IKEA is standing up as an ally and strong supporter. We have a zero-tolerance policy for attacks on queer people inside and outside the company. I am pleased and proud that many people from the queer community find their professional home at IKEA,” says Walter Kadnar, Country Retail Manager & CSO IKEA Germany. The invitation to DINNER BEYOND BUSINESS 2024 was accepted by over 50 senior executives from major companies and institutions, including representatives from Accenture, Boehringer Ingelheim, Commerzbank, congstar, Disney, Ergo, Infineon, KPMG, Novelis, Oracle, OTTO, PwC and Siemens. The participants of the top-class networking event enjoyed an exclusive dinner at the IKEA headquarters in Hofheim am Taunus. Albert Kehrer explained the background to DINNER BEYOND BUSINESS in his welcoming speech: “Behind a manager there is always a personal story that has an impact on performance in the workplace. That’s why we invited people to DINNER BEYOND BUSINESS 2024 to find out more about the queer side of business. Supporting queer people in the workplace is much more than just supporting a marginalized group.” The highlight of the evening was the Fireside Chat by Albert Kehrer together with Sander van’t Noordende, CEO of Randstad, about role models, coming out at work and allyship.
“For us at Randstad, our ultimate goal is for everyone to feel comfortable at work.”
Sander van’t Noordende has been Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board at Randstad since March 2022 and is one of the only openly gay CEOs among the Fortune 500. Sander spent most of his career at Accenture, where he held a number of leadership positions. During his successful three decades at Accenture, he served as Group Chief Executive of the Products Operating Group. Sander advocates for the importance of DEI&B in the workplace at international events, including at the World Economic Forum in Davos with discussions on inclusion and the rights of queer people.
“All employees should have the same opportunities – but that also means that we have to organize our processes and those of our customers accordingly.”
At the beginning of the Fireside Chat, Sander van’t Noordende shared some private insights as an out executive: “I come from a very diverse family: I have two gay uncles and two lesbian aunts, which has always been the most normal thing in the world for me. But a diverse family doesn’t automatically mean it’s easy to come out as gay.” His role model has always been his gay uncle, who showed him that you can also be successful at work as a gay man. “For us at Randstad, our ultimate goal is for everyone to feel comfortable at work. All employees should have the same opportunities – but that also means that we have to organize our processes and those of our customers accordingly.” He is also convinced that companies need to position themselves on certain issues: “Senior leaders and CEOs in particular need to stand up and show their support, because they are the focus of the company and act as role models.”