Virgin Money UK : named as a Best Employer for Race in new listing

Virgin Money named as a Best Employer for Race in new listing

• Virgin Money identified as one of the UK's best employers for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people
• Listing highlights best practice on workplace race equality and inclusion
• Participation in the list is assessed and determined by the independent body, Business in the Community

Virgin Money has been named by Business in the Community as one of the UK's Best Employers for Race in a new listing published today.

Creating a Best Employers for Race list was one of the recommendations made in the McGregor-Smith Review of race in the workplace earlier this year to showcase best practice on race equality in UK workplaces. Successful organisations had to evidence that they are putting leadership on race into place within their organisations, creating inclusive workplace cultures and taking action in at least one of three areas - leadership, progression and recruitment. They also had to be able to demonstrate the impact of these policies on BAME employees.

The listing is unranked and includes 65 public and private sector organisations listed in alphabetical order who collectively represent the best employers for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people in the UK.

Matt Elliott, People Director at Virgin Money said: 'Strong, successful and sustainable businesses can only develop with diversity of work-force and creativity of thought, and we need men and women of all races, beliefs and backgrounds to inspire that. At Virgin Money we aim to provide an environment which nurtures a high performing, diverse and committed workforce, enabling all colleagues to flourish and reach their full potential.'

Sandra Kerr OBE, Race Equality Director at Business in the Community, said: 'Congratulations to Virgin Money on being named in the first ever Best Employers for Race listing. They are taking a comprehensive and strategic approach to tackling racial inequalities within their organisation and have shown their commitment and leadership on this issue. I hope more employers will follow their example of best practice and take part in the 2018 listing. If employers truly want their workplaces to reflect the clients, communities and customers they serve, the time to act is now.'

The full list of the Best Employers for Race 2017 is available via the Business in the Community website: best-employers-race-list-2017Opens in a new window

ENDS

Enquiries:

Media Contacts:

Virgin Money Press Office
0191 279 4676
press.office@virginmoney.com

For more information from Business in the Community please contact:
Laura Cooney, E: laura.cooney@bitc.org.uk, T: 02075668653.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Virgin Money

• Virgin Money offers savings, mortgages, credit cards, current accounts, currency services, pensions, investments and protection products to customers across the UK.
• Virgin Money's business ambition is to make 'everyone better off' - this philosophy underpins our approach to business by offering good value to customers, treating employees well, making a positive contribution to society and delivering a profit to shareholders.
• More than 13,500 charities have registered with Virgin Money Giving and, by the end of Q3 2017, over £590 million had been donated to charities through the service since its launch in 2009, resulting in an estimated £18 million more donated to charities because of its not-for-profit model.

About Business in the Community

Business in the Community, The Prince's Responsible Business Network, is a business-led charity committed to shaping a new contract between business and society.

The Race Equality Campaign at Business in the Community is committed to empowering employers to accelerate change for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) employees in the workplace. We work with our membership of employers, from private, and public sectors to offer tailored practical advice on improving employment opportunities for ethnic minorities across the UK. It is the only race diversity campaign that has access to and influence over the leaders of the UK's best known organisations.

The Business in the Community Race Equality Campaign has three key priority areas for action: Leadership, Progression and Recruitment. http://race.bitc.org.ukOpens in a new window