David Kendall on being part of the LGBTQ+ community in the luxury sector

Walpole: What does your role entail, and how long have you been doing it?

David Kendall: 2024 will mark my 17th year at David Collins Studio, where I manage the marketing, communications and PR. The role is multifaceted and involves working with a wide range of internal stakeholders, external clients, media and friends of the studio, making it really quite varied, which I love. Our projects are global benchmarks in luxury and I really believe in our studio’s aesthetic point-of-view, so I do find enjoyment in my role communicating our portfolio and interpretation of modern luxury.

What’s your career background and what makes you passionate about what you do?

In a previous life I was a surveyor, which, whilst a very different role, was in an adjacent sector. I am attracted to organisations that demonstrate robust professionalism within the built environment. That said, beauty also motivates me, especially where something is both beautiful and commercial - that is really interesting and is something that David Collins Studio delivers really well.

Whilst the studio straddles the worlds of luxury, real estate and design, at its core it's people-based business that is based on relationships – and working in strategy and communications, I find that motivation in that dynamic.

How has your sexuality and/or gender identity been a source of strength on your journey into your sector?

I am definitely glad to be gay – to exist within a structure and to have a different experience of it from the majority is actually incredibly empowering! Creative industries have always been the beneficiaries of diversity of thought, but I am aware of the privilege available to me as a middle-aged white cis male working within the British luxury industry. It is important to remember that not everyone benefits from the same advantages and to provide space for other minority voices, both inside and outside our community, as a reminder that not everyone’s experience is the same.

Have you ever faced negativity towards your sexual orientation within your career – and, if so, what effect did that experience have on you?

I do recall not being out in the workplace earlier in my career, but, of course, I was much younger. I remember that not being able to be open about who you are with your colleagues was really exhausting!

Do you think attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community have shifted in your time in the industry?

As a studio working globally, we work across a number of different countries and cultures, and during my tenure and in my experience, the worlds of design and luxury have been open and welcoming spaces. I think it would be naive not to note, however, that within the global context, there are still countries that criminalise homosexuality, and whilst strides being made, there are pernicious dialogues both at home and abroad around under-represented minority groups within our community that seem to be very cruel and exploitative.

What’s a significant obstacle for members of the LGBTQ+ community in the workplace that you feel isn’t talked about enough - and why is it important to highlight?

Whilst our industries are generally welcoming of LGBTQ+ people, there is still work to be done around the representation of, and familiarity with, the wider LGBTQ+ community, as we probably over-index on white cis gay men. I think that the breadth of LGBTQ+ voices should be encouraged more, as the strength of our community comes from our diverse base. I thought that the October 2023 issue of Wallpaper* guest edited by the performer ANOHNI, who is transgender, made for a very powerful and beautiful issue.

Is there any policy work that needs doing to evolve and ensure workplaces are more inclusive to LGBTQ+ people?

As an organisation that was founded by two gay men, I hope that David Collins Studio has always been an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ people. I completely agree with Nicola Butler’s (of Noteworthy) response earlier in this series that large brands should engage with Stonewall (the leading LGBTQ+ workplace authority) to receive their charter mark. It is in nobody’s interest for Stonewall to be undermined or to fail as an organisation.

Is there a person in your industry or sector from the LGBTQ+ community who inspires you or has helped you on your journey?

There is not huge visibility of older queer role models for younger people, so I am really lucky to have met and to have worked with David Collins, and to have worked so closely with Iain Watson, our Founder and CEO, who is very sage, and is a stable and reliable constant in my life.

What career advice do you have for younger members of the LGBTQ+ community who are entering your industry?

You will find your allies and your cohort within the industry, remember that people are instinctively generous with their time and experience, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. I am indebted to those people who have taken the time to listen to and encourage me. More than anything, just be kind and inclusive.

What does Pride in the workplace mean to you?

Pride is born of protest. It is about showing up as your true self and simply existing in spaces that you have every right to be. The same should be true of Pride in the workplace. It is about the everyday platforms that say, “We exist!”