Co-operative success

Success for The Co-operative in its support of LGBT colleagues & customers


The Co-operative Group has continued this year to rise through the ranks of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index which grades private and public sector organisations across the UK on how well they are doing in their support of LGBT matters. This year The Co-operative has climbed 15 places to be ranked 64th which places it firmly in the prestigious list of “Top 100” nationwide employers.

The retailer, with over 4,800 outlets across the country is a proud supporter of the LGBT community; sponsoring and participating in numerous Pride events across the country including Manchester, where its Head Office is based.

Liz Bramley, Head of Employee Engagement and Diversity for The Co-operative commented, “The Stonewall Workplace Equality Index is fiercely competitive and the standard gets higher and higher each year and we are competing not only against private business in the country but public sector bodies as well such as individual police forces, universities and NHS Trusts. I’m delighted that we continue to improve our score and remain the only retailer to make it in to the Top 100.”

In addition, Stonewall recognised The Co-operative’s recently formed Respect LGBT Network as a nationwide “star performer” due to the wide-ranging and innovative approach taken to establishing an LGBT employee network. George Meudell, Sexual Orientation Diversity Champion and Head of the Respect LGBT Network commented, “Our improved score in the Index is a team effort on behalf of the entire Respect Network and Steering Group, the Diversity team and the businesses working together to support LGBT issues.

"The sad fact is that LGBT people in the workforce, and in their private lives, remain subject to abuse and that respect for people irrespective of their sexual orientation remains a challenge. I wish there were no requirement for an LGBT diversity agenda but we do not live in that kind of world. In the meantime, I remain proud of The Co-operative’s whole-hearted support of diversity and to the inclusion of all employees and proud that the business is committed to providing a space in work for all employees to be themselves, and to perform in their jobs, to the best of their abilities.”

Stonewall has also recognised the innovative work undertaken by The Co-operative in the field of marketing to LGBT customers. It recently featured in a Stonewall publication regarding marketing to gay consumers and has now been shortlisted for an award in this area. The Co-operative has a unique LGBT funeral offering called PinkPartings, Travel has undertaken significant work to develop an LGBT holiday offering and The Co-operative has also sponsored and participated in numerous Pride events up and down the country to promote its diverse workforce and products and services to the general public.

For more information or to get in touch with The Co-operative, email respectLGBT@co-operative.coop

Published: 31-Jan-2011: (454)