Membership Directory - Individual
Pauline Lucas (She/Her)
Senior Adviser Services Manager at M&G
About
Bio: Pauline has worked in Financial Services for more than 20 years, primarily in management and senior leadership roles across the UK. She started out as a cashier in a high street bank and realised from the outset that she had a real enthusiasm for the industry and for engaging others. Currently she is the Senior Support Manager with M&G Wealth Advice, and comments: "I am passionate about leadership and the difference we can make to people's lives when you inspire everyone to be their true selves' in work."
In Pauline's early career and throughout school, she did not hear about LGBT identities and often avoided conversations about her personal life, for fear of judgement or exclusion. When she and her wife decided to have children, they knew they had to lead the change they hoped to see and speak freely about their lives, encouraging others to do the same and celebrating difference.
Pauline adds: "Unfortunately, inclusion is still not a given - particularly in certain industries and I am proud support and lead never having to feel awkward about being in some way different to many of your colleagues, to have real pride in your own story and where that has brought you. A positive discussion around LGBT identities creates a far more welcome and supportive environment, empowering everyone to challenge discrimination and be a positive ally."
In Pauline's early career and throughout school, she did not hear about LGBT identities and often avoided conversations about her personal life, for fear of judgement or exclusion. When she and her wife decided to have children, they knew they had to lead the change they hoped to see and speak freely about their lives, encouraging others to do the same and celebrating difference.
Pauline adds: "Unfortunately, inclusion is still not a given - particularly in certain industries and I am proud support and lead never having to feel awkward about being in some way different to many of your colleagues, to have real pride in your own story and where that has brought you. A positive discussion around LGBT identities creates a far more welcome and supportive environment, empowering everyone to challenge discrimination and be a positive ally."
Upon joining M&G, Pauline took on the role Co-Chair for the M&G plc Pride network. In this role she has made immediate impact overseeing the expansion of network chapters across M&G’s global locations, including India and Poland She is also actively working with the Mumbai team to increase visibility and awareness and is leading the focus on LGBT+ allyship across all M&G locations.
In 2022 Pauline has led the network to achieve ‘Gold Standard’ for LGBT+ equality within financial services and has overseen key organisation changes which has had a tangible impact for M&G and its LGBT+ colleagues such as the induction of the pro-noun tool to add to email signatures and the change of the M&G plc logo, for the first time in the organisations history, to include the inclusive LGBT+ rainbow for Pride month.
I am proud to be a Project 1000 role model because it is helping to create tangible change across our industry, on the journey to true equality. Being a role model is about visibility and encouraging positive discussions around LGBT+ identities, creating a welcome and supportive environment, empowering everyone to challenge discrimination and be a positive ally.