T-Squad

T-Squad – Our Transgender Advisory Group

At Emerald, we’re committed to providing equality of experience for everybody. Many of the issues affecting members of the trans community are still poorly understood by the financial services sector, and so we continue to work to offer insurance where the transgender community has been specifically considered.

To help us gain that understanding, we formed T-Squad. It’s a group of trans advocates with whom we regularly meet to make sure we’re taking every transgender matter into account. The transgender rights issues we’re currently discussing include: 

  • Healthcare coverage during the transition process
  • Delays in access to gender identity clinics
  • Specific issues relating to travel insurance and medical conditions
  • Data protection issues on using an alternative name when calling us
  • Adoption

Who makes up the T-Squad?

Our trans advisory group is made up of leading members of the transgender community, who are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to transgender rights, transgender discrimination, and other trans matters. With their help, we hope to be able to offer transgender tailored insurance in the near future.

We will be posting more from T-Squad on Emerald Connect, so make sure that you sign up to hear the latest T-Squad news.

Leng Montgomery

Leng is an experienced social media and PR professional, currently working as a Programmes Assistant for Stonewall. He’s a well-known advocate for LGBT and transgender rights issues, and regularly invited to speak to the business community on the subject of LGBT and trans-inclusivity.

As a leading spokesperson on trans issues in the UK, Leng regularly takes part in radio interviews, podcasts, and awareness videos – and has also been a role model for the CPS anti-bullying project for schools.

He advises several companies on trans inclusion in the workplace, and consults on how organisations can support and include trans people across their networks and policies. He’s also been named as ‘one-to-watch’ in The Independent’s annual Rainbow List.

Antonia Belcher

Antonia is a founding partner of building consultancy MHBC, and has over 40 years of experience in the construction and property industries.

Antonia transitioned in 2000, in a male-dominated working environment where there was no history or visible LGBT influences to draw upon. She regularly accepts pro-bono appointments to influence positive change for women and members of the LGBT community – in areas relating to entry, education and career progression in the surveying industry.

In her spare time, Antonia is a board director and supporter of the CSTT, which aims to provide employment-based training for young people – often from disadvantaged backgrounds – hoping to qualify as chartered surveyors. As a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors, and a member of several other organisations, she campaigns for equal opportunities for women and LGBT people within the construction industry.

Emma Cusdin

Emma has over 20 years of experience in human resources, having worked for a number of global financial services organisations – including a multinational insurance broker.

Emma is an openly trans woman, having transitioned in 2009 – and she is passionate about raising awareness of transgender issues. She’s spoken at many trans events organised by leading FTSE 100 companies, and regularly features as a media commentator on trans-related issues.

Emma chaired the first National Trans Youth Conference (for 12-24 year olds) in November 2014, and she was delighted to be asked back to chair the conference again in 2015. She co-founded trans*formation, the UK’s largest professional networking organisation for trans individuals, and their friends and colleagues.