British Council is UK’s most gay-friendly employer

The British Council is the most gay-friendly employer in the UK, according to gay lobby group Stonewall.

The group has released the results of its first Corporate Equality Index, showcasing the country’s top 100 employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff.

The British Council is the UK’s top employer for gay people, with Citigroup, Credit Suisse First Boston, IBM and Manchester City Council in equal second place.

“Gay staff still face a pink plateau in many British workplaces,” said Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive. “For the first time, the Corporate Equality Index will give 1.7 million gay people in the UK workforce the chance to choose a gay-friendly employer.”

Stonewall’s top 100 employers include 12 FTSE 100 companies and 11 government departments. Employers were ranked according to criteria ranging from implemention of an effective equalities policy to having openly gay staff on their board of directors.

Sir David Green, director-general of the British Council, said: “This recognises the work the British Council has undertaken to promote equality and diversity in our employment practices both in the UK and around the world.”