Laïla El-Métoui

Laïla El‑Métoui is a globally respected equity and belonging consultant, educator and public speaker, widely hired for her ability to translate lived experience, policy insight and community leadership into meaningful organisational change. A disabled Arab lesbian and a leading voice on inclusion, Laïla is the Founder and CEO of Pride in Education and LelmEducation, and Chair and Founder of Proud London Councils. Her work sits at the intersection of race, sexuality, disability and power, making her an essential speaker for organisations seeking to move beyond performative inclusion towards genuine belonging.

Laïla’s early career was shaped by education, activism and a clear understanding of the structural barriers faced by marginalised communities. She began developing programmes that addressed racism, homophobia and exclusion within educational and civic settings, recognising the need for spaces where people could see themselves reflected and respected. This led to the creation of initiatives such as Educating OUT Racism and SWANA Queers, previously known as UK Queer Arabs, which centred the experiences of South West Asian and North African LGBTQ+ communities. Alongside this, she co-founded the Embassy Model Summits Series, creating international platforms for dialogue, diplomacy and representation that amplify underrepresented voices.

As her impact grew, Laïla took on influential leadership roles across local government, education and the voluntary sector. She founded Proud London Councils to connect LGBTQ+ employee networks across local authorities, strengthening collaboration and collective advocacy, and has secured more than £87,000 for charities through strategic bid writing. Her expertise has been recognised through appointments such as serving as a UN Women UK CSW Delegate, and through consistent inclusion in national power lists celebrating leaders in equity, diversity and inclusion. Her work has been acknowledged by organisations including Stonewall, Diva, Love Queer and Trans in the City, reflecting both her community impact and allyship.

Laïla is hired as a speaker because her expertise and influence are consistently recognised at a national and international level. She was named Stonewall Lesbian Role Model of the Year and later featured in the Top 100 Pride Power List, reflecting her impact on LGBTQ+ visibility and leadership. Her repeated inclusion in the National Diversity Power List Honours Top 50 underscores her standing as a leading voice on equity and inclusion, while her recognition as a Trans in the City Trans Ally finalist highlights her commitment to intersectional allyship. Further honours, including being listed in the Love Queer Top 100 Trailblazers, the Diva Power List and the Top 20 Lesbian Trailblazers, reinforce why she is trusted on major platforms. These accolades position Laïla as a credible, authoritative and sought-after speaker whose work resonates across sectors.