AN LGBT champion has scooped the Role Model of the Year award for her commitment to improving workplace culture for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Estella Abraham, from Eshiels, is executive director of national children’s services organisation Core Assets Group who provide social care and foster services.

Estella has worked with the group for over 14 years and was recognised for stamping out discrimination, and championing quality and inclusion in the workplace for LGBT people.

As the most senior ‘out’ person in the organisation, Estella has also taken Core Assets to rank in gay charity Stonewall’s ‘Top 100 Workplace Quality Index’ for six consecutive years. 

The index is an annual audit of workplace culture for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff.

Commenting on the award, Estella said: “To live everyday by the values that I hold dear and to have such public acknowledgement of that is a true honour.

"I think it’s really important that those who are LGBT and hold positions of leadership do so in a way that gives others confidence to be ‘out’ at work. All employees need to feel safe and affirmed in their roles.”

Steve Jacques, is LGBT diversity champion at Core Assets Group. He said: “We are the only international independent provider of children and family social services to feature in the index, and it’s thanks to Estella and her commitment to LGBT inclusion that we’ve achieved this status.

"She continues to drive initiatives to protect LGBT employees from discrimination, as well as promoting a culture of inclusion throughout our international operations, so this recognition is more than deserved.”

As well as supporting employee initiatives Estella, who is also CEO of Key Assets the international business of Core Assets, actively spearheads campaigns to recruit LGBT foster carers in the UK and internationally, with approximately 5 per cent of the group’s foster carers being LGBT.