Graeme and George on love, visibility and feeling supported
As part of our Pride Month series, we spoke to George and Graeme, a married couple who work in neighbouring M&S stores. They share how they met, what Pride means to them, and why feeling supported and accepted at work makes a real difference.
Graeme and George first met at Surrey Pride and have been together ever since. Now married, they work in different M&S stores in the same region - George in Woking and Graeme in Camberley - but share a passion for making a difference to their teams and customers, their commitment to excellent service and their pride in being part of a business that values inclusion.
The couple got married in April 2022, surrounded by family and friends. “That was a huge moment for us,” says Graeme. “Coming from South Africa, where being gay is not always accepted, it meant everything to feel that kind of support and love.”
At work, they have felt equally embraced. George joined M&S three years ago, starting as a Customer Assistant before working his way up to Team Manager. “What I love most about retail is the people,” he says. “Every day is different, and I get real satisfaction from helping customers and supporting my team to do the same. M&S has given me the space to grow, learn and take on new challenges.”
Graeme returned to M&S after a break from retail, excited to be part of the business again. “I missed the culture and the standard of service,” he says. “There’s a real pride in what we do. From the first day back, I felt like I belonged and was welcomed.”
Both speak highly of the support they’ve had from colleagues and managers. “When I first started, I was shown the ropes by a colleague from the LGBTQ+ community, which really set the tone,” says George. “There’s a strong sense of acceptance across the board. Everyone brings something different to the team and that’s what makes it work.”
Graeme agrees. “What stands out at M&S is that inclusion isn’t a box ticked, it’s part of the everyday culture. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, who you love or how you identify, as long as you’re passionate about doing your job to the best of your ability, you’re treated with respect.”
They speak proudly about the teams they work with. “My team is so diverse,” says George. “Different backgrounds, different beliefs, and we really reflect the communities we serve. That makes such a difference for our customers too. They see themselves in us.”
For Graeme, the inclusive environment at M&S is what sets it apart. “I’ve worked in lots of different stores and for different retailers but, at M&S, there’s a strong culture of looking out for each other. There isn’t a day I go into work where I don’t feel supported.”
For both, Pride is about visibility and acceptance. “Pride, for me, symbolises acceptance. Especially in the political climate we’re facing at the moment. It’s like us saying ‘We’re still here. We still love you. It’s a safe space.’ says George. “It’s also a chance to celebrate how far we’ve come as a community and keep pushing for more.”
This year, they hope to attend London Pride with M&S. “We’ve both been before, just not together,” says Graeme. “Being there as a couple, marching on behalf of the business, side by side with our colleagues, would be really special.”
Their message for anyone thinking of joining M&S? “Go for it,” says George. “You’ll be supported, respected and encouraged to be yourself. I’m proud to work here and proud to sell the products we do. It really is one of the best places to work in retail.”
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