Gentoo named second in list of most LGBT-inclusive employers by charity Stonewall

Sunderland-based housing association Gentoo has been named as one of Britain’s most inclusive employers in LGBT equality charity Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers list for 2020.
Gentoo employees celebrate with the rainbow flag. From left, CEO Nigel Wilson, Lucy Malarkey, Simon Walker, Marilyn Amadi, Mojtaba Aghamohammadi and Adam McInroy. Picture: Gentoo.Gentoo employees celebrate with the rainbow flag. From left, CEO Nigel Wilson, Lucy Malarkey, Simon Walker, Marilyn Amadi, Mojtaba Aghamohammadi and Adam McInroy. Picture: Gentoo.
Gentoo employees celebrate with the rainbow flag. From left, CEO Nigel Wilson, Lucy Malarkey, Simon Walker, Marilyn Amadi, Mojtaba Aghamohammadi and Adam McInroy. Picture: Gentoo.

Gentoo was second on the list – behind Newcastle City Council – for the work it has done to successfully engage with its LGBT tenants to improve its housing services in Sunderland.

Other names in a varied top 100 include banking giant Barclays, the Home Office and Oxford University.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

To compile its Top 100, Stonewall collected more than 109,000 anonymous responses from employees on their experiences of Britain’s workplace culture and diversity.

This year, 81% of LGBT employees who responded to the survey said they feel able to be themselves in the workplace.

Stonewall looks at submissions to the Workplace Equality Index, a tool used by employers to assess their achievements and progress on LGBT equality in the workplace, as well as their wider work in the community and on service provision.

Each organisation must demonstrate their expertise in 10 areas of employment policy and practice, including networking groups, senior leadership, procurement and how well they’ve engaged with LGBT communities.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Nigel Wilson, chief executive officer at Gentoo, said: “We are delighted to be placed second in the Workplace Equality Index 2020 and very proud of the commitment and passion shown by both colleagues and tenants to improve inclusivity in the workplace and in the communities of Sunderland.

“Taking part in the Index helps us to ensure we continually improve our approach and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to our LGBT colleagues and tenants.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone who made the Top 100.

“It’s inspiring to hear about all of the amazing work that’s being done to ensure every LGBT employee can be themselves in the workplace.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sanjay Sood-Smith of Stonewall added: “We are delighted to name Gentoo as one of our Top 100 Employers this year.

“All the organisations in this year's Top 100 Employer's list are playing a huge role in improving the lives of LGBT people, and should be very proud of their work.”

Related topics: