Shaun Dellenty

Shaun Dellenty is a multi-award-winning LGBT+ inclusion advocate, published Bloomsbury author, and inspirational speaker who transforms how organisations create genuinely inclusive cultures. Recognised in the top 100 influential LGBT+ figures in the UK by The Independent and honoured as a Point of Light by the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, he draws on over 15 years of lived experience and pioneering work that began when he became the first serving gay male primary school leader to come out publicly in 2009. His sessions equip leaders, educators, and teams with practical strategies to embed authentic inclusion, challenge discrimination, and foster environments where everyone thrives, delivering measurable cultural change across education, corporates, and public sector organisations.

In 2009, Shaun Dellenty made international headlines when he became the first serving gay male primary school leader to come out publicly to his entire school community and the national press. Faced with widespread homophobic bullying amongst his pupils at his London primary school, he took a courageous decision that would transform not only his own institution but spark a movement for LGBT+ inclusion across education worldwide. That single act of authentic leadership launched over 15 years of pioneering work that has since reached schools, corporates, faith organisations, parliaments, and communities across the UK and internationally. His journey from survival to advocacy, rooted in his own experience as a neurodivergent survivor of homophobic abuse and family rejection during the Section 28 era, has established him as one of the most respected voices in diversity and inclusion today.

Shaun's expertise has been recognised through numerous prestigious accolades that reflect both the quality and impact of his work. Named amongst the top 100 influential LGBT+ figures in the UK by The Independent, featured in the Guardian Global Diversity List 2021, and included in the Top Fifty UK Inclusive Awards Diversity Power List 2023, his influence extends far beyond the classroom. In 2016, he received a Point of Light designation from the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street for his services to education and LGBT+ communities. His ground-breaking approach to inclusive practice was captured in his Bloomsbury book 'Celebrating Difference', recommended in the UK Parliament by Lord Cashman before publication. Most recently, his work as an educator has contributed to Laxey School on the Isle of Man achieving IQM National Inclusion Champion status for 2026/27, one of only eight schools across the entire UK and British Isles to hold this exceptional recognition. Beyond education, Shaun works with the BBC and numerous other organisations, and maintains creative work as a published author, blogger, presenter, and member of Actors' Equity with experience in film and television.

Shaun equips organisations and individuals with practical strategies to create genuinely inclusive environments where difference is celebrated rather than merely tolerated. His sessions combine lived experience with evidence-based approaches, enabling leaders and teams to challenge discrimination, shift organisational culture, and implement meaningful change that lasts. Audiences leave with actionable tools to address bullying, embed authentic inclusion practices, and foster workplaces and learning communities where everyone can thrive. His work proves particularly valuable during key awareness periods including LGBT+ History Month, IDAHOBIT on 17th May, Pride Month, and Anti-Bullying Week, though his impact resonates throughout the year. Whether working with educators, corporate teams, faith groups, or public sector organisations, Shaun delivers sessions that transform understanding into action, creating measurable cultural change that benefits entire communities.