London’s banking and financial services sector will come together this week for a major Trans Awareness Week networking event hosted by the InterBank LGBT+ Forum. Taking place on Thursday 20 November at the historic City of Quebec pub in Marylebone, the gathering aims to promote visibility, inclusion and professional support for trans and non-binary people working across the UK’s financial industries.
The event, which begins at 6:00pm, is open to employees from InterBank’s participating member institutions, including leading banks, investment firms, insurance groups, consultancies and fintech companies. Attendance is free, and organisers are encouraging employees from across the sector to attend, particularly those in HR, diversity and leadership roles.
Hosted annually, InterBank’s Trans Awareness Week event has grown into one of the most important dates in the organisation’s calendar. It offers a space not only for networking but also for education, allyship and professional solidarity at a time when many trans and non-binary employees say they feel unsafe or misunderstood in UK workplaces.
Organisers say the purpose of the evening is twofold: to support trans professionals in the City and to engage allies across the sector in practical steps they can take to improve inclusion. Many attendees come from employee resource groups and diversity networks, reflecting the increasing importance that large employers are placing on supporting gender-diverse staff.
Past events have included short talks on trans-inclusive policy development, personal testimonies from employees transitioning in the workplace, and discussions on challenges facing trans people in corporate environments. This year’s event is expected to include contributions from long-standing InterBank volunteers, workplace inclusion specialists and representatives from LGBTQ+ employee networks.
One of the themes highlighted this year is the importance of psychologically safe workplaces. Research from UK equality organisations has shown that trans employees are significantly more likely to experience workplace bullying, misgendering, social exclusion or barriers to progression. For many, having clear policies, informed managers and colleague support can make the difference between thriving or leaving the profession.
The event also aims to challenge stereotypes about the financial sector itself. Often perceived as traditional or slow to adapt, the City has in recent years seen a surge of LGBTQ+ employee networks, inclusive leadership programmes and sector-wide partnerships. InterBank, founded over a decade ago, has played a key role in bringing these groups together to support not only social events but also advocacy and community fundraising.
The City of Quebec, the venue for the event, is one of London’s oldest LGBTQ+ pubs and has long been associated with community gatherings, activism and nightlife. Holding the evening there reflects InterBank’s intention to blend professional networking with a relaxed and welcoming environment where attendees can speak openly and form connections beyond their job titles.
While designed primarily as a professional event, organisers emphasise that the evening is also a gesture of solidarity during Trans Awareness Week – a time dedicated to celebrating trans lives, highlighting achievements and addressing the disproportionate challenges many still face. The date of the event, 20 November, also coincides with Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR), which commemorates trans and non-binary people lost to violence worldwide.
Throughout the evening, attendees will have opportunities to connect with representatives from corporate LGBTQ+ networks, share experiences about workplace policies, and explore best practices around recruitment, retention and leadership pathways for trans staff. Many organisations are increasingly seeking guidance on how to support employees who are transitioning, navigating healthcare systems or facing discrimination.
Speakers at previous InterBank events have noted that trans inclusion is not solely a matter for HR departments, but a cultural responsibility that needs to be shared across all levels of an organisation. As many companies prioritise diversity and inclusion as part of ESG commitments, trans equality has become a more prominent part of workplace strategy discussions.
The networking aspect remains a major attraction, allowing attendees to make professional connections that may extend into mentorship, peer support or cross-company collaborations. Several previous participants have said the event helped them feel less alone in their industry, particularly those who joined large firms during remote working periods or who are early in their careers.
InterBank also uses the event to highlight its broader charitable activity, including fundraising for LGBTQ+ community groups and offering support to external organisations working on homelessness, HIV care and mental health provision. By linking corporate power with community need, the forum aims to strengthen ties between London’s financial sector and its LGBTQ+ communities.
The organisers encourage early registration via OutSavvy due to the venue’s limited capacity:
https://www.outsavvy.com/event/30963/interbank-networking-trans-awareness-week-event-20-november-2025
As trans people across the UK continue to face heightened scrutiny and political tension, events like this provide a positive counterpoint – demonstrating that there are workplaces willing to listen, learn and lead on inclusion. For many trans professionals, simply knowing they have industry-wide support can help foster confidence, ambition and belonging.