Stonewall has launched its 2009 leadership programme for gay staff hoping to maximise their contribution to their organisation.

The course, which is designed for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff, will run over two days in November at Ashridge Business School.

The programme encourages staff that have ‘come out' to use their own personal experiences when leading.

Kate Scott-Hughes, a performance analyst for the Crown Prosecutions Service who has already taken the course, said: "The course allows you to think about your leadership skills without your sexual orientation getting in the way. I hadn't realised how liberating it was, and the impact it had on my learning."