Who is acl?
What’s our mission?
How do we help clients create inclusive spaces?
What does an ACL client look like?
Watch the video to find out!
Who is Matt Ashby-Cooper?
I’ve been talking about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for most of my professional career.
A working class kid of mixed heritage, growing up on a council estate in Nottingham in the 80’s, I was fortunate enough to be taken under the wings of queer elders when I came out as gay. I was given access to queer literature, movies and culture, and most importantly contacts, that helped me find work and ultimately a career that I would otherwise have been denied.
Those acts of allyship have left me super passionate about inclusivity to this day. That passion sees me talking to clients and their teams about the roles they play in creating inclusive spaces, and how those spaces benefit everyone, no matter their background.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived on three different continents and worked in fifteen different countries, delivering training, and DEI initiatives to people from all walks of life. Understanding people and how we can better work together to foster more inclusive and productive environments is what really makes me tick!
Our values
Curious
We’re curious about ourselves, others, and what makes humans tick.
As the world of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion continues to evolve, we take the opportunity to continue our own education, sharing the steps we take with others on our journey.
Kind
If it’s to be an inclusive space there has to be a seat for everyone. That means taking everyone on the journey, without alienating those of a different mindset - kindness is how we do it.
Together, we can explore how a more inclusive space benefits everyone, from every walk of life.
Candid
Being kind doesn’t mean sugar coating the truth.
We know that honesty and courage are required to affect change.
We will help you see where you are, and guide you to deliver the action you will take in creating an inclusive space.
“Embarking on our DEI Journey with Matt has been a joy - his passion and expertise in DEI coupled with his knowledge and experience means he’s been able to add a huge amount of insight and invaluable advice. What seemed like a daunting and huge task at the outset has been broken down into achievable steps to work on over the next year. We’ve come away with a team really excited about the additional value they can offer clients, and excited about the inclusive culture we’re going to build together.
Can’t recommend him enough!”
Caroline Phillips, Director, Agora Talent