Stonewall Workplace Equality Index 2016: MI5 Named Best LGBT Employer In Britain

Spy Agency Is Britain's Most Gay-Friendly Employer

MI5 has been named Britain's most gay-friendly employer by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans charity Stonewall.

The Security Service - one of the most secretive in the world - ranks best amongst a list of 100 employers, all rated by staff for their culture, diversity and inclusion in one of the UK's largest annual employment surveys. The service's foreign counterpart, MI6, is ranked 36 on the list.

Other entries in the Workplace Equality Index include six banking firms, including Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland, and 14 local authorities, including the London Boroughs of Islington, and Tower Hamlets.

The Security Service, MI5, is ranked best in Stonewall's 2016's list

The Royal Navy, the Army, and six police forces also feature, while the National Assembly of Wales came third with the Welsh Government ranked joint 17th.

The index has now entered its 12th year. Stonewall received 400 entries from individual organisations, and surveyed over 60,000 staff.

Andrew Parker, Director-General, MI5, said that the recognition reflects the desire to hire those with required skills, regardless of sexuality.

Lloyds Banking Group came second in the list

The chief spook said: "Diversity is vital for MI5, not just because it’s right that we represent the communities we serve, but because we rely on the skills of the most talented people whoever they are, and wherever they may be.

"This accolade from Stonewall is a great acknowledgment of the continued progress we have made over recent years in ensuring we draw on the widest possible pool of talent in our vital work."

Ruth Hunt, Stonewall Chief Executive, said: "MI5 have made fantastic strides in creating an inclusive workplace, and have now appeared on the Stonewall Top 100 Employers list since 2012. This is an amazing achievement and demonstrates just how seriously diversity and inclusion is taken.

"I’d also like to thank all of those organisations that took part in Stonewall’s 2016 Workplace Equality Index, and congratulate our Top 100 and award winners. We’re thrilled to see such a commitment to lesbian, gay, bi and trans colleagues, but we also know that there is still lots to do."

Top 100 Employers List 2016

1MI5

2Lloyds Banking Group

3National Assembly for Wales

4B3Living

5Pinsent Masons

5Tower Hamlets Homes

7Leicestershire County Council

8Metropolitan

9Clifford Chance

10Royal Navy

11Baker & McKenzie

11PwC

13Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service

13Victim Support

15Newcastle City Council

15Suffolk Constabulary

17Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

17Leicestershire Police

17Welsh Government

20Cardiff University

20Creative Skillset

22Circle Housing Group

22Norton Rose Fulbright

22Sussex Police

25Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service

25Herbert Smith Freehills

25Northumberland County Council

28Birmingham City Council

29Golden Jubilee Foundation

30Essex Community Rehabilitation Company

30London Borough of Tower Hamlets

32Norfolk Constabulary

32Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

32Royal Bank of Scotland Group

32The Army

36MI6

36Office for National Statistics

36Swansea University

36Your Homes Newcastle

40Financial Conduct Authority

41J.P. Morgan

41Sheffield City Council

43BP

44KPMG

44Teesside University

46Aviva

46Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust

46London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

46North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

50Cardiff & Vale University Health Board

50Touchstone

50University of Birmingham

53University of Essex

53University of Manchester

55Core Assets Group

56DWF

57Hogan Lovells

58De Montfort University

58St Andrew's Healthcare

60Bury Council

61Land Registry

61University of Sheffield

61York St John University

64L&Q

64Leeds Beckett University

64Nottinghamshire County Council

64Nottinghamshire Police

68EDF Energy

69The Riverside Group

70HSBC Bank

71West Midlands Police

72Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

72Environment Agency

72Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

72Reed Smith

72St Mungo's

72The Co-operative Group

78Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council

78Suffolk County Council

80CMS Cameron McKenna

80University of Greenwich

82Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

83ASDA

83Police Scotland

85Carmarthenshire County Council

86Barnardo's

86Eversheds

86Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

89Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service

90Bank of America Merrill Lynch

91National Crime Agency

92London South Bank University

93Macquarie

93Medway Council

93Vision West Nottinghamshire College

96London Borough of Islington

97Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

97Dentons

97Nottingham City Council

100Citi

100Fujitsu

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