Top Regional Employer award for University

The University of Essex has been named the Top Regional Employer of the Year at the Stonewall East of England Awards.

The accolade comes after we were named in the charity’s Top 100 national list earlier in the year in recognition of our efforts to create an inclusive workplace for all staff, whatever their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

This was the third time we have been included in the national list of employers who have demonstrated their commitment to lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality. We were asked to host the regional awards event, which included a presentation by Yassine Senghor, from Stonewall, and various activities, including the building of a rainbow wall, made up of 180 coloured post-it notes on which guests were encouraged to leave suggestions on what else can done to promote LGBT+ inclusivity. 

Karen Bush, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said: "We have worked really hard to become a more LGBT+ inclusive workplace so it is great to be recognised as the highest performing organisation in the region. But we are not complacent and we know there is much more we need to do to maintain this status. We are committed to working with our LGBT+ community to develop and deliver cultural changes we know are necessary to achieve a truly inclusive environment and the ideas posted on the rainbow wall provide inspiration and practical ideas for action." 

Four other awards were presented during the evening and the winners were: Ally Supporters of the Year – Hertfordshire Partnership University Foundation Trust; Network Group of the Year – Hertfordshire Constabulary; Senior Champion of the Year – Joanna Ruffle, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council; Role Model of the Year – Jon Tilley, Thurrock Council. 

Pictures from the event are available online