Aviva was the only insurer named in the Stonewall Equality Index of Britain's Top 100 Employers, based on key indicators including the largest-ever survey of lesbian and gay employees - almost 7,000 participants.
Aviva was the only insurer named in the Stonewall Equality Index of Britain's Top 100 Employers, based on key indicators including the largest-ever survey of lesbian and gay employees - almost 7,000 participants.
"To make the top 100 this year, employers had to demonstrate that equality and diversity were not optional extras but core values," reveals Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill.
We were judged on our implementation of effective equality policies, good practice in recruitment and mentoring and how we engaged with our lesbian and gay staff, customers and service users.
This survey is a big deal. Now in its fifth year, it's regarded as a key barometer of diversity practices. Campaigning group Stonewall tracked the impact of workplace culture on gay, lesbian and bisexual employees from a record 371 entries across 23 sectors. That's more than double the number of submissions during the 2005 launch year.
Paul Wood, group chief security officer and chair of Pride Aviva, was keen to point out that only 23 private sector organisations figured in the top 100. "As people will see, most of the Top 100 entries are public sector organisations and, in many ways, it's easier for them to make progress," he argues. "In fact, many of them have a legal obligation to do so."
Meanwhile, Amanda Mackenzie, our chief marketing officer, has also become more involved in the Pride Aviva network recently. "I feel strongly about our diversity agenda.
"That's why I'm delighted to have become the executive sponsor for the Pride Aviva network. By championing gay, lesbian and bisexual workplace issues, I believe that we'll continue to be regarded as an employer that really supports its people.
"Individuals should always feel free to be themselves at work. And, in a purely business context, it ensures that we'll keep attracting the best talent. Those who can add true value to our business. There has been an impressive performance in the recent Stonewall Top 100 Workplace Index and I would encourage you to have a look," she explains.
"We've demonstrated our credentials in Stonewall's most rigorous survey ever," concludes Paul Wood. "The fact that we're the only insurer in the Top 100 is great news - I believe that much of the rest of our sector has yet to rise to the challenge in the same way. So this survey is a key indicator of what we're doing right. And the work still to do..."