Council Recognised For Commitment To Gender Diversity In Business

Belfast City Council has been recognised for its commitment to advancing gender diversity in the workplace with a Bronze Gender Diversity Charter Mark.

Diversity Mark NI Ltd was set up by Women in Business to deliver the Charter Mark, awarding organisations for their commitment to progressing gender diversity.

Those receiving the Charter Mark have committed to addressing areas of unequal gender representation at all levels: removing obstacles faced by women at key points of career development; implementing structural and cultural changes that will help advance gender diversity; and putting in place a strategy and action plan to effect change.

Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Deirdre Hargey said: "I'm delighted to have accepted the Bronze Gender Diversity Charter Mark on behalf of Belfast City Council and we're looking forward to going for Gold. As the fifth female Lord Mayor and Chair of our Women's Steering Group, I feel privileged to be leading on the delivery of a comprehensive Gender Action Plan for our organisation.

"Belfast City Council is absolutely committed to equality as we work to deliver the ambitious vision that we've set out in our Belfast Agenda and that we're developing in our Belfast Region City Deal proposition. We must ensure that everyone benefits from our city's regeneration, regardless of gender, age, background or ethnicity."

Nichola Robinson, Chair of Diversity Mark NI and Director at Bombardier, said: "We are delighted to award 11 organisations with a Bronze Gender Diversity Charter Mark. These organisations within their applications have shown a real commitment to implementing inclusive growth and cultural shifts within the workplace.

"The Charter has enabled organisations to identify and reflect on institutional barriers facing women which impact progression on the career ladder. Through this, organisations have also taken steps to progress the overall diversity and equality agenda and improve the working environment for all employees."

Roseann Kelly, Chief Executive, Women in Business, added: "In 2016 Women in Business launched its first manifesto and one of the four main pillars was Diversity. We appointed male gender diversity champions who, together with Women in Business, have delivered the Diversity Mark NI.

"We are inspired and reassured that such impressive progress has been made over the past year. I would encourage other innovative and progressive organisations to sign up. Not only will they be doing the right thing, there is a correlation between gender diverse companies and better bottom line results."

The 11 organisations awarded a Bronze Charter Mark were selected by the Diversity Mark NI Independent Assessors panel which included Judith Gillespie, former Deputy Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Kieran Harding, Business in the Community Director, Deborah Lange, Board Member at Invest NI and Belfast Harbour Commission and Dianne Foster, Baker Mc Kenzie.

The 11 organisations awarded the Bronze Charter mark this year were: Allstate NI; Alexander Mann Solutions; Belfast City Council; Danske Bank; Gilbert- Ash Ltd; Homecare Independent Living; Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service; Progressive Building Society; Police Service of Northern Ireland; Ulster Bank; and Sensata Technologies Inc.

(MH)