A WOKING woman is in seventh heaven after being named an LGBT Future Leader in Out-Standing’s annual rankings.

Amy Stanning, who is based in Maybury and a 17-year resident of the borough, was nominated anonymously for the prestigious accolade, which shines a light on the achievement of senior executive personnel from the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community.

“I had to answer some questions about my role and three weeks later I was advised I’d been included in the list,” she explained.

“But I didn’t know that I’d ranked seventh out of 30 winners until a ceremonial dinner in London on October 22.”

The 30 victors were profiled in the Financial Times on Tuesday last week; the final line-up was decided by a panel of judges from business, academia and journalism. Humble Amy said she was pleased enough to just receive a nomination, even if she cannot thank the person who put her name forward.

She said: “It is a huge honour and to be up next to some of the other names in the list is a wonderful compliment. I have had some very nice comments since the dinner.”

In 2014 Amy was selected by Barclays – then headline sponsor of London Pride – to star in their ad campaign.

She concluded: “My role is to carry the flame for inclusion for all, particularly those in the LGBT community.”

Out-standing is the professional network for LGBT and Ally senior executives – with support coming from notable names such as Sir Richard Branson, Fiona Woolf CBE and Mark Zuckerberg.