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Westpac NZ is proud to announce a three year partnership as platinum sponsor of the inaugural Rainbow Excellence Awards, which celebrate organisations that value inclusion and welcome sexual and gender diversity in the workplace.
Westpac NZ General Manager of Consumer Banking and Wealth, Simon Power, says the decision to sponsor the new awards was led by employees that represent and advocate for the LGBTQI+ community.
“These awards are a great way of promoting diverse and inclusive workplaces across New Zealand. As one of the first organisations to receive a Rainbow Tick, we’re really proud to be the founding sponsor to help celebrate and support other organisations along their journey.”
Employers of any size are eligible to enter the awards, which feature nine categories. They’ll be asked to demonstrate how they create and foster inclusive environments for LGBTQI+ people in the workplace and their engagement in the community marked against criteria based on international best practice. Individuals can also be nominated.
The ceremony will take place in Auckland on May 17, with Westpac sponsoring the Supreme and SME category.
“With Westpac’s invaluable support, this awards programme will have a huge impact in raising the bar and celebrating excellence in LGBTQI+ practice in New Zealand,” says Awards Director Martin King.
The Rainbow Tick is celebrating its fifth birthday in 2019. Westpac became certified in 2014 and was the first organisation to receive accreditation on its first attempt. More than three dozen organisations now have a Rainbow Tick, ranging from big businesses to education providers.
Westpac’s GLOBAL employee action group represents and advocates for the LGBTQI+ community.
Its chair, Kelvin Gove, says he’s proud of the progress the bank has made, and its leadership role in encouraging workplace inclusion.
“Our association with Rainbow Tick has reinforced, supported and emboldened our efforts in helping our employees to create an inclusive environment,” he says.
“We’re proud to partner with these Awards as they provide an opportunity for other organisations to be recognised and celebrated for their progress.”
Entries for the awards open on February 15.