University of the Arts London (UAL) has climbed a phenomenal 230 places in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index and has been named one of one of Britain’s top 100 LGBT-inclusive employers
UAL now ranks 72nd overall, amongst just a handful of education employers in the top 100.
The university has made progress with a number of initiatives including the creation of a network of Role-Models and Allies who have completed Stonewall’s LGBT Role Models programme, Allies programme or Trans Allies programme
In several areas UAL outperformed other employers in the education sector. Stonewall’s feedback highlighted:
- The employee lifecycle which includes information about our values and support on offer to staff, inclusive recruitment platforms and comprehensive recruitment training.
- Support from senior leadership and an “all-organisation” approach to LGBT+ inclusion.
- Development of LGBT-inclusive services for our students and engagement with Arts SU.
Natalie Brett, Pro Vice-Chancellor and UAL LGBTQ+ Champion, said:
“UAL is delighted to be recognised as a Top 100 employer for LGBT+ people. We value the diversity of our staff and students as much as we value their creative talent, so to have made a leap of 230 places in a single year is a true demonstration of our progress in embedding the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our UAL life. Belief, commitment and hard work from the LGBQT+ Staff Network and various teams across the university has made this happen and we couldn’t be prouder.”
Sanjay Sood-Smith, Stonewall’s Executive Director of Workplace & Community Programmes, said:
'We are delighted to name UAL as one of our Top 100 Employers this year. By taking steps to make their workplaces supportive and welcoming of all lesbian, gay, bi and trans people, businesses like UAL are bringing us closer to a world where everyone is accepted without exception.’
Stonewall’s Top 100 is compiled from submissions to the Workplace Equality Index, a powerful benchmarking 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.