Our LGBTQ+ Affinity Group is all about supporting the Vanquis Banking Group's vision for equality and inclusivity, allowing all people to thrive at work, regardless of their background, sexual orientation, gender identity or circumstances. Our Disability, Ethnicity, Gender Balance and Inclusion Champions Affinity Groups, all work together to create and build on an already inclusive culture.
The LGBTQ+ group’s primary focus areas are:
- Providing direction to the Banking Group in committing to a culture of support, safety and acceptance for LGBTQ+ persons, identifying areas for improvement when changes impact upon that commitment.
- Helping the business identify issues affecting LGBTQ+ persons and support solutions to these issues, for both colleagues and customers.
- Providing a network for LGBTQ+ colleagues as well as raising general awareness of issues facing LGBTQ+ people within everyday life and highlighting the contributions made by LGBTQ+ people.
- Promoting a supportive environment within all business areas for LGBTQ+ people.
- Working alongside other Affinity Groups to ensure we consider other individual characteristics that intersect and overlap with those of the LGBTQ+ community.
Supporting LGBTQ+ Charity akt (The Albert Kennedy Trust)
Our LGBTQ+ Affinity Group are pleased to partner with akt (The Albert Kennedy Trust) - A charity that supports LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 in the UK who are facing or experiencing homelessness, or living in a hostile environment. Their vision is a world without LGBTQ+ youth homelessness and their mission is preventing LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, because no young person should have to choose between a safe home and being who you are.
Some of our colleagues have signed up to complete a sky dive later this year to raise funds for the charity, whilst others were keen to offer time and volunteer at events throughout the year.
Pride Celebrations
Internally the team prepared some communications and events to help raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group, it’s purpose, and what it means for colleagues around the business. We've been sharing information about the history of Pride and the flag as well as articles advising on ways to be a better ally, to help others better understand the celebration.
We attended Leeds Pride wearing branded t-shirts to show support. Later in the year, we will be looking at additional ways to raise funds for the charity and further ways our colleagues can support akt and their future campaigns.
Across Vanquis Banking Group we celebrate the diversity of our colleagues during Pride with a number of activities, including related competitions, and providing digital graphics so all colleagues have the tools to show their support.
Vanquis Banking Group is a founding partner of LGBT Great Careers, helping to build a pipeline of under-represented talent for the financial and professional services industry. We have three roles already live, supporting the launch of the new global job platform.
This new membership with LGBT Great will allow us to benchmark ourselves against the industry, help us see where we're succeeding in LGBTQ+ equality at Vanquis Banking Group, and look at where we can improve our diversity to build a more inclusive environment.
The LGBT Great Careers portal allows people to search and apply for new career opportunities within LGBTQ+ friendly financial and professional services companies. We joined more than 50 financial service organisations in June by signing up as a member of LGBT Great. Our membership gives us valuable insights, visibility and outreach initiatives to empower colleagues and help them to thrive.
"We are excited to partner with LGBT Great Careers. It's a further alignment to our Inclusion and Diversity strategy – recognising that diversity of all kinds brings real benefits to our business."
Stuart McKinlay, Head of Talent
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