Name: Ben Kearney (he/him)
Age: 26
Job title: Community marketing assistant – Pride and Black History Month
Company & location: Tesco, Hertfordshire & London
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I always wanted to be on stage, whether that was singing the biggest show tunes or tap dancing away, it was always a dream. However, when I left high school I had a sudden desire to follow in my aunty’s footsteps and become a zoologist – an ambition which was very short-lived, when I realised it wasn’t as glamorous as I expected.
Why did you decide to go for a career in food & drink? I actually never planned to have a career in fmcg. I joined Tesco 10 years ago at the age of 16, working in my local store.
When not working at Tesco, I perform as a drag queen and Tesco asked me to perform at London Pride back in 2022, alongside the very talented La Voix and Twist & Pulse. It was here that a colleague asked me whether I would be interested in a role at head office, and ever since I have had a squiggly career across comms, PR, social media and marketing.
“I am proud to work for an employer that does not just accept me and my identity, but celebrates it”
Explain your job to us in a sentence (or two): I lead end to end on the marketing campaigns for Pride and Black History Month at Tesco, celebrating and spotlighting both customers and colleagues from the LGBTQ+ and black communities.
How does your workplace celebrate LGBTQ Pride month? At Tesco, it is not just about celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in Pride Month, but rather supporting our LGBTQ+ colleagues and customers all year round.
This year, Tesco is proudly supporting over 40 Pride parades across the UK, and since 2020 we have donated over £1m to LGBTQ+ charities. Our award-winning LGBTQ+ Colleague Network, made up of colleague volunteers, drive advocacy, change and celebration all year round for the LGBTQ+ community at Tesco. I am proud to work for an employer that does not just accept me and my identity, but celebrates it.
Does your company provide support to LGBTQ+ employees in terms of policies and resources? At Tesco, diversity, equity and inclusion is at the heart of our culture, ensuring that whoever our colleagues are and whatever their background is, they feel represented and able to be themselves at work – a place where everyone’s welcome.
Tesco’s commitment is brought to life through colleague-led networks, which sit at the centre of the inclusion strategy and provide support, guidance and a sense of belonging across the business. The LGBTQ+ Colleague Network is dedicated to helping everyone feel they belong and can thrive at work. It creates spaces for colleagues to connect, including dedicated communities such as the Trans+ colleague space, while offering support and guidance to both colleagues and line managers. The network celebrates LGBTQ+ communities by amplifying voices and encouraging participation in Pride, while also educating colleagues to build understanding and strong allyship.
What does a typical day look like for you? One thing I love about my job is that every day is truly different. In one day I might be on a social media shoot, meeting colleagues across the business, showing up at Pride parades, getting creative or problem solving. One thing I have learnt along the way is that productivity doesn’t magically live at the desk. Sometimes it shows up when you move your body, change your scenery, or build small moments into the day that give you energy back.
I suppose it turns out that your best work is a lot easier, when your day is designed to work for you.
Tell us how you went about applying for your job: I have been very lucky to be involved in the LGBTQ+ space at Tesco for several years, building relationships across the business and a personal brand as a trusted expert when it comes to DE&I marketing.
One thing that I love about Tesco is their dedication to recognising diverse internal talent and supporting career development. The opportunity to take on my current role was a suggestion from the colleague who previously worked in the role, recommending me as a great candidate. After a warm, personal and positive interview with the hiring manager, I was excited to be offered the role.
How do you personally celebrate Pride? I love to attend Pride events with my colleagues at Tesco, especially allies! I am also lucky enough to perform in drag and will be performing this year alongside Tesco in the parade at London, Brighton and Manchester Village Pride. There is something truly special about being able to find opportunities to bring my two careers into one – something that Tesco have always supported.
Who is a pride role model for you? I think my biggest Pride role model would have to be Russell T Davies, Welsh screenwriter and television producer. Russell not only created some of the greatest TV shows, he brought LGBTQ+ stories front and centre in British television – creating representation in the mainstream.
He shifted LGBTQ+ characters from being in TV for comical effect, to being seen as real people, with beautiful stories. Shows like It’s a Sin and Queer as Folk have truly been a contributing factor to the acceptance of LGBTQ+ people in the UK and across the globe, and for that I will always be grateful to Russell.
What’s the best part about working for a food & drink company? The people. My answer will always be the people. I have the delight of meeting and working with so many people, across multiple companies, charities and brands – all of which have come from different walks of life. You could think that working for such a big brand with so many colleagues, you might end up feeling like just a number, rather than a name – but this is something I have never felt at Tesco, individuals’ personal contribution feels recognised consistently.
And what’s the biggest misconception people have about working in food & drink? That it’s a purely operational industry, when in reality it’s dynamic, creative and broad.
Working for one of the UK’s leading retailers, you have the opportunity to shape British culture. Its not just about marketing and selling products, it spans media, data, personalisation, partnerships, community impact and more. Although one thing still remains true: it’s incredibly fast-paced.
What advice would you give to young queer people in the food & drink industry? Be brave and be curious. Growing up LGBTQ+ gives you a unique perspective of the world, and that lived experience is something that cannot be taught or inherited. It is part of your USP, that offers something refreshing and different on the table. Also find your group, your squad, your community – people that make you feel empowered, supported and loved in the workplace.
What’s your ultimate career dream? I have a burning passion for partnerships – it is something I have always loved in my professional career. There is something magical about bringing together two different parties (whether that’s a brand, charity, media title, community) and birthing something that benefits both. There is something truly rewarding when you bring ideas to life at scale by collaborating with others who bring different strengths, perspectives and audiences.
So if in five years time, I am ‘director of partnerships’ somewhere, I will be a very happy person.
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