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Maddie Simkins joined Capital on Tap a little over two years ago and is now our Lead Business Development Manager in London. In celebration of Transgender Awareness Week, we sat down with her to learn more about her journey, her experiences at Capital on Tap, and her advice for businesses looking to strengthen their LGBTQIA+ policies.
Can you give us an intro to Maddie?
I’m what people call a “late bloomer”—a 47-year-old transgender woman with two kids I love more than life itself. What I have learned is that it is never too late to live authentically, and this has been a beautiful lesson to learn. London is now home after growing up in South Africa.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with friends, watching live sports, and catching a play or movie whenever I can.
What was your experience applying to Capital on Tap?
Before joining Capital on Tap, I worked in fintech in South Africa. After moving to the UK in 2022, I took a job as a purchasing officer with a London hotel group.
One day, I was scrolling through LinkedIn and came across the Business Development Manager role at Capital on Tap. I was both excited and nervous to apply because it was my first time doing so as my authentic self. During the application process, there was an option to state my gender and pronouns; however, I decided to hold off because my documents still listed the name and gender I was assigned at birth.
Once I completed the interview process and received the job offer, I felt it was the right time to share my story with the People Team. They asked me right away about my preferred name and pronouns, and their warmth and acceptance were incredibly affirming. It made me feel seen and respected from day one.
What does inclusivity mean to you, and why is it so important in the workplace?
To me, inclusivity means being seen, acknowledged, and given the space to bring your whole self to work. When we feel free to share our unique experiences, it opens the door for others to do the same, creating a richer and more supportive environment for everyone.
At Capital on Tap, inclusivity shows up in small but meaningful ways, like having gender-neutral toilets and celebrating diversity during Pride and Black History Month. It’s these everyday things that make me feel truly accepted and able to be myself.
What do you enjoy most about working at Capital on Tap?
The team here has really become like family. The personal and professional growth I've experienced has been incredible, but the best part of the last two years has been the friendships I've built.
One of my favourite memories from my early days at Capital on Tap was right after I joined. Because I hadn’t used my chosen name, gender, or pronouns in the application, my manager was convinced there’d been a mistake in hiring “Maddie Simkins.” He kept telling HR he hadn’t interviewed anyone by that name! We still laugh about it to this day, and I’m so grateful to work in a place where I can feel safe and accepted.
What would your advice be to companies looking to improve their LGBTQIA+ policies?
The best way to improve LGBTQIA+ policies is to involve LGBTQIA+ team members in the decision-making process. By listening to their stories and experiences, companies can better understand what changes would be most meaningful.
If you don’t have LGBTQIA+ staff to consult, consider reaching out to the broader LGBTQIA+ community on LinkedIn, where you can find professionals and organisations that specialise in supporting inclusivity initiatives.
