National Inclusion Week 2025: Q&A with Co-Chair of the Pride in Food network
As this week marks National Inclusion Week (15th – 21st September 2025), we caught up with the new Co-Chair of the Pride in Food network, Jade Isidro to learn more about the Pride in Food network.
Our LGBTQ+ Pride in Food network is a colleague community, which develops initiatives to raise awareness of key issues, focusing on respect, integrity, and belonging. The aim is to ensure everyone is confident in being themselves at work, to enable them to thrive.
Jade is Inclusion & Belonging Lead at Restaurant Associates and in her new Pride in Food role, she will be working alongside Co-Chair and Social Partnerships Resourcing Lead, Sonia Murtagh to drive forward the ambitions of the network.
Tell us about your background and your role.
I started in Compass Group UK & Ireland in 2023 through the Graduate Programme. Since then, I’ve had lots of opportunities to experience the different sectors and am fortunate to have landed a permanent role as Inclusion and Belonging lead in Restaurant Associates.
This role stemmed from my first ever rotation as part of the programme in the central Inclusion and Belonging team, working with our passionate colleagues who lead the employee networks and continue to champion inclusion throughout the journey.
One of the key parts of my role is building and retaining partnerships with charities and social enterprises. I help to integrate them into our organisation through providing work experience at sites or volunteering opportunities. I also work with the employee network to help with any activities they have planned and support the recruitment team with vacancies through the Social Partner Hub.
Why is the work of Pride in Food important?
In the current climate, education and allyship are more important than ever. Pride in Food plays a vital role by raising awareness and opening up conversations on topics that are often overlooked but should be on everyone’s radar.
Through initiatives such as webinars promoting the use of inclusive language, sharing guidance and creating events, we provide practical tools and insights that support both individuals and the wider business.
This work is important because it not only fosters understanding and inclusion, but also creates a workplace where everyone feels seen, respected, and supported.
What activities are planned for National Inclusion Week?
We have a series of activities to embrace this year’s theme of ‘Now is the Time.’ To kick it off, we have an InclusiviTea with our employee network chairs, where they will be sharing the impactful work they’ve been doing over the past year. Throughout the week, we’ll also be sharing a series of network podcasts and timelines which will provide a visual and auditory experience to hear and see what the networks have been doing so far and aims for the future.
We also have our third Inclusioneers event, where a number of ambassadors from all over Compass Group UK & I come together to engage in meaningful conversations and ignite fresh ideas for collaboration, and set the stage for an impactful year ahead!
What is your focus and the priorities of the network?
I’ve just stepped into the role of Co-Chair, and for me it’s all about continuing to build Pride in Food, while being visible and supportive. A big part of that is reaching our frontline colleagues – it’s important that we hear voices from across the business.
Beyond campaigns or awareness weeks, I’d love to create everyday moments of engagement - sharing real stories and showing up for each other.
