Our Pride Network was set up to make sure all of our LGBTQ+ colleagues feel at home at Wickes and have the same career opportunities as everyone else in our business. We have made huge progress over the last few years and we have exciting plans for the future.
We work together to really make a difference for our LGBTQ+ colleagues and to make sure that every identity within the community is represented, supported and feel able to be their true selves.
We aim to educate, celebrate, challenge and support right across our business.
Creating a safe space for the community - to feel safe in sharing their stories and their lived experiences... there is nothing more exciting for us than seeing people truly flourish.
As we partner with Stonewall as a Diversity Champion, we have a really clear plan of attack, and our activity spans right across the business from policies and benefits, supplier engagement, Leadership activity, and even our customer journeys. There’s always room for improvement, so our plan focuses on driving lasting change for the community within Wickes and for our customers.
We are proud of the progress we have made so far:
We partnered with stonewall and have been accredited as a Gold Employee as part of their Top 100 LGBTQ+ inclusive business programme
In 2021 we were a Top 10 LGBT Employer at the British LGBT awards
In 2022, Ben Jackson became a Top 10 Inspirational Leader at the British LGBT Awards
In 2022, Ben Jackson became a Diversity Role model as part of the Diversity in Retail program
In 2019 we introduced our Transitioning at Work Policy and have further enhanced this in 2022 with a Trans Toolkit
In 2019 we introduced our Ally Program and now have well over 200 LGBTQ+ Allies in the business. The program was created by the network to support all non LGBTQ+ colleagues in learning the issues that the community face and what they can do to make a positive difference
We have influenced the business to ensure that all new stores and refits are provided with gender neutral facilities and a wellbeing room
