Lloyds Bank named the most inclusive employer by Stonewall

Stonewall has named Lloyds Banking Group as the the most inclusive employer of the year in Britain.

After coming second in the charity’s Top 100 Employers list last year, the bank has been working with youth charity Mermaids, Opening Doors London, which offers befriending services to older LGBT+ people, and the teen homelessness group, the Albert Kennedy Trust.

In total the bank’s staff volunteered 1,000 hours and raised £30,000 for the charities.

They also supported bi and trans awareness days through new training tools, social media campaigns, and by flying the bisexual and transgender flags at many of their sites.

Moving up from fifth last year to second place this year was law firm Pinsent Masons, while the bankers J P Morgan were third.

The list is made up of submissions from 439 organisations to the Workplace Equality Index which is the highest number in its 12-year history.

António Horta Osório, Lloyds’ group chief executive, said: “We are honoured to be recognised by Stonewall as the leading employer for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Lloyds Banking Group is committed to supporting diversity in its workforce so that we can harness all the qualities and talents of our colleagues to achieve our aim of helping Britain prosper.”

Stonewall’s chief executive Ruth Hunt said: “Lloyds Banking Group is a trailblazer for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, and an example of a business that consistently ensures that all staff feel empowered and supported, no matter who they are.

“We’ve learned over the past year that nothing is certain – and this extends to Human Rights. Corporate organisations have the power to influence this and protect LGBT+ people, and so it is reassuring to see so many private firms represented in our top 10 and top 100.

“I’d like to thank all of those organisations that took part in the index, for each showing a real commitment to LGBT+ inclusion. These organisations understand the business benefits behind equality and inclusion and with their continued support, we can work together toward a world where all LGBT+ people are accepted without exception.”

You can read the full index here.