Diversity award win for L&Q

Last night L&Q took home the award for Best HR Policy at the 2019 Diversity in Housing awards.

Hosted by trade magazine 24housing, the awards, held at Villa Park in Birmingham, brought together leading housing organisations to celebrate advances in diversity and inclusion.

Head of Diversity and Inclusion Jan Gale was also there to present the award for best BAME organisation.

Jan joined L&Q at the start of 2018 and has spearheaded several pioneering policy changes to build a more inclusive culture. L&Q received the Best HR Policy award for their introduction of the Rooney Rule.

Jan Gale said: “This award is a great testament to the pioneering work L&Q has been doing over the last 18 months. It makes it clear that we are about action, not lip service, and the numerous policies and changes we’ve brought in really highlight how important diversity and inclusion is to us. At L&Q we draw strength from our differences and this lies at the heart of our inclusion value.”

The Rooney Rule was introduced in May 2018. The policy means L&Q will interview at least one candidate from a BAME background and one female candidate for “senior leadership positions” providing they meet the minimum role criteria.