Rockpools, one of the UK’s market leaders in executive resourcing, has this month officially joined the campaign to achieve equality and justice for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals by becoming a Stonewall Diversity Champion.
Stonewall is the UK’s foremost gay equality organisation, founded in 1989 by Sir Ian McKellen. Its Diversity Champions programme is Britain’s good practice forum in which employers can work with Stonewall, and each other, to promote lesbian, gay and bisexual equality in the workplace. Rockpools joins more than 300 organisations across the UK that have already taken part in the programme.
Nev Wilkinson, Rockpools’ managing partner, said: “Our commitment to diversity is clear: we believe that diverse teams make more informed decisions and that talent comes in all shapes and sizes, sexualities, ages and ethnicities. This guiding principle applies, both with the talent we seek to place in organisations throughout the UK through our executive and interim management recruitment practices, and the talent we retain in our internal team.
“Becoming a member of Stonewall is an honour and I am delighted we can continue to champion diversity, equality and inclusiveness by taking part in the Diversity Champions programme,” he said.
Commenting on the internal culture of Rockpools, Shahidul Miah, Partner, added: “Since joining Rockpools as a consultant in 2005, and being promoted to Partner this year, my sexuality has never been an issue. My colleagues and bosses have always been supportive of my professional development and I would say that this is true whatever your background at Rockpools. Having previously worked in the public sector, I have actually found Rockpools to be more accessible and easier to be gay in.”
In addition, Rockpools has taken part in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index, the definitive national benchmarking exercise showcasing Britain’s top employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff. The Index measures 20 criteria covering policy and practice—from having a non-discrimination policy promoted to all staff that includes sexual orientation to advertising in the pink media, and from supporting a lesbian and gay employee network group – to having an openly-gay senior member of staff.
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Top employers use the Index as a key benchmarking tool, measuring their own performance in relation to competitors as well as to ensure they are delivering world class services.
More information about Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.
