David Parke: Pride, progress and pushing for better
David Parke has spent the last five years at M&S and today works as a PR & Social Media Manager for M&S Food. With a background in food and drink marketing, he always knew he wanted to work in PR – and M&S was right at the top of his list when he left university.
“It’s exciting, it’s buzzy, there’s always something new happening,” he says. “And I get to work with incredibly smart people every day.” David’s role covers everything from product campaigns to celebrity events, and he’s especially proud of the energy and creativity within the Food team.
But for David, being part of M&S isn’t just about work. It’s about visibility, authenticity, and driving real inclusion.
“When I first came out in my teens, I just wanted to blend in and be the same as everyone else,” he explains. “The further you go on, the more you realise that being visible and standing in solidarity for what’s right really matters. Being invisible is boring and being a part of the LGBTQ+ community is anything but boring.”
David first came out to a handful of close friends when he was 16 but came out fully at 18, just as he started university. “It was a clean slate,” he says. “You never really stop coming out. Until the default changes, it’s something we, as community, will keep doing,” he adds.
Pride has always played a significant role in David’s life, not just as a celebration, but also as a signal for progress. “People worry that coming out will feel quite lonely, but Pride month really shows that there are wider communities and advocates supporting you which is really important.” He previously volunteered for London Pride and even helped lead communications for its 50th anniversary in the UK. “When you look back at how far we’ve come with societal changes to marriage rights and family-friendly workplace policies, it’s great. But there’s still so much more to do,” he says.
At M&S, David is the longest serving member of the LGBTQ+ Network steering committee, the group working to keep the business moving forward. “One of the best things about M&S is the business’ desire to do the right thing. We want to engage with our customers authentically, but we also can’t rest on our laurels,” he says. “There are still groups within the community who need support and protection. We all need to be on the same team.”
Pride at M&S isn’t always loud or flashy – sometimes it can even be a simple crafts evening with members of the network and allies. “There’s something special about those moments,” he says. “We’re a big business with colleagues spread across the country, but when we come together, it’s powerful.”
As someone who lives and works as his full self at M&S, David encourages others to join and help shape what comes next. “There’s a lot already in place within M&S to support the community from trans policies to inclusive family support. But we’re not finished. If you join us, you can be part of making us braver, better, and more inclusive business that shows up for our colleagues, customers and communities.”
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