Leeds Building Society has received a Leaders in Diversity accreditation from the National Centre for Diversity.
The accreditation process acknowledged progress in establishing colleague forums to promote gender equality and mental health awareness, the training of mental health first aiders, the launch of a colleague social media map, sharing good practice with industry peers and setting up a specialist team offering extra support to customers in challenging circumstances.
Solat Chaudhry (pictured left), chief executive of the National Centre for Diversity, said: "Congratulations to all the colleagues and leaders at Leeds Building Society for achieving our prestigious Leaders in Diversity standard. It demonstrates commitment to building a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion.
"Like all organisations that achieve our coveted standard, Leeds Building Society was able to evidence everything it does in a practical way."
Leeds Building Society will now be automatically entered into the National Centre for Diversity's national grand awards, taking place in London in January 2019.
Becky Hewitt (pictured right), director of people at Leeds Building Society, said: "We're the fifth-largest building society in the UK, employing more than 1,400 colleagues across 55 branches and four large offices. Delivering the best service to our members underpins our business and to make that happen every day we need to attract and retain the best talent.
"As a progressive, supportive employer we work hard to ensure the society remains a great place to work, with an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to flourish without barriers. This accreditation is fantastic recognition of our existing good policies and practice, and an endorsement of our future plans."
The accreditation follows the organisation achieving Investors in Diversity status in July 2016.
Chaudhry added: "Investors in Diversity and our Leaders in Diversity standards help organisations achieve equality, diversity and inclusion through colleague engagement and a review of activities. This creates an approach that is structured, planned and embedded at the heart of what they do in terms of strategy, leadership, recruitment, recognition and positively influencing their supply chain."
