Manchester Pride Rules - 17-27 August 2012
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The Co-operative Group is one of Manchester's biggest employers and, nationally, and currently employs over 120,000 people in businesses such as Food, Travel, Pharmacy, Financial Services, Motors and Funerals. We believe in co-operation - working together towards shared goals and sharing the benefits of our success - and in championing local communities. For the third year running we're delighted to be sponsoring Manchester Pride - a fantastic community event right here in our home city! We'll be loud and proud in the Manchester Pride Parade this year with colleagues and members joining forces to create a huge and colourful entry.
"I was very pleased to take part in The Co-operative's very large presence in the Manchester Pride parade last year and in 2009 and I was struck by the very warm reception we got from the crowds as we snaked through the streets", said Paul Flowers, Chair of the Co-operative Financial Services (CFS). Paul continues: "Sponsoring Manchester Pride is just one of the ways we can demonstrate our support of our LGBT customers, colleagues and members and it forms part of a wider diversity strategy to make sure that we demonstrate how, as a business, we are "good for everyone".
Every one of our employees, each with their own unique personalities, skills and flair, help us to shape a diverse business where differences are seen as an asset. Our diversity team works to ensure that our policies, systems and processes promote inclusion, fully embrace our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender colleagues, and do not discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation or civil partnership status. Our LGBT Employee Network Group, Respect, supports our LGBT colleagues and gets involved in programmes to ensure that this is a great place to work for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. The network also arranges regular social events which are popular with its members and are a great way to meet new people.
George Meudell, Head of The Co-operative's Respect Network commented: "The Co-operative is the only retailer in Stonewall's Top 100 Employers index and this is indicative of the importance the business places on LGBT matters. We don't just do these things to be seen to be supporting. Instead, treating people fairly and equally is part of the fabric of being co-operative and is enshrined in our values and principles as a business."
As an organisation we've seen rapid progress and success over the last couple of years. We're already the country's biggest co-operative society with over 4,500 outlets across our businesses. In fact, we've been undertaking the biggest rebranding programme in UK corporate history, and our recent mergers with Somerfield and Britannia Building Society now mean we have more stores in the UK than Starbucks and McDonald's added together!
Big and successful we may be, but we're rooted firmly in the communities we serve - in fact, generous members of the Co-operative Group have recently donated more than £3m of their annual profit-share to charities and community groups. And, since 1844, doing everything we can to make the world fairer for our employees, customers, members and suppliers, has been at the heart of The Co-operative. From walking buses to windfarms and from tackling climate change to our commitment to Fairtrade, we have a reputation as an ethical business that's second to none.
Find out more about how The Co-operative is 'good for everyone' here and if you like what you see, why don't you join us?