GOLD: Vodafone Czech Republic

With 90 points, Vodafone continues to excel, reaching the maximum score in nearly all categories, and sets the standard for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion in Czech and international markets. This year, the jury especially honors Vodafone for its proactive efforts to improve LGBTQ+ lives in our country, mainly by initiating an open letter to the Prime Minister advocating for marriage equality.

SILVER: MSD Czech Republic

With 86.5 points, MSD has shown outstanding performance across all scoring areas. The jury commends MSD for its strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, noting its compulsory training on microaggressions and the inclusion of gender identity topics in mandatory training sessions for all employees. MSD is also praised for its effective internal and external communication on LGBTQ+ issues and the high activity of the company’s LGBTIQ Employee Resource Group.

SILVER: Johnson & Johnson

With 86,5 points, Johnson & Johnson performs brilliantly in all ranking categories, earning top points in several areas. The jury praises its strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, highlighted by comprehensive policies and progressive benefits for trans employees. Johnson & Johnson also actively supports employee-driven initiatives, leading to significant growth in its LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, reflecting the company’s empowering and inclusive culture.

SILVER: Accenture

With 83 points, Accenture not only reached maximum points in several categories but also serves as an example for many companies in a few areas. The jury would like to highlight exceptional care for trans employees, shown by the comprehensive Gender Transition Guidelines. The company ensures that all employees, including newcomers, are informed about its core values, which include a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination, harassment, and bullying. The jury also praises Accenture’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group and its activity.

SILVER: SAP Group

With 82 points, SAP’s consistent participation in the Awards highlights its commitment to creating an inclusive workplace. The company stands out for its Employee Resource Group, showing strong internal support for LGBTQ+ employees. SAP is also praised for its effective training system and setting and monitoring goals, scoring maximum points for using comprehensive impact measurement tools.

SILVER: Novartis

With 80 points, Novartis exemplifies what proactive and comprehensive workplace inclusion looks like. The jury was impressed by Novartis’s campaign ‘One Family’ public campaign promoting marriage equality as well as the ‘Guide on Trans Identity at Novartis’ which supports trans employees with targeted information for different stakeholders: managers, HR staff, all employees, and those undergoing transition. 

BRONZE: Deloitte

With 77,5 points, Deloitte particularly excels in impact monitoring, a critical area where their efforts surpass other Bronze level recipients. Deloitte’s commitment to inclusivity is further exemplified through its outstanding support for transgender employees and their comprehensive training programs. Using large screens in the office for internal communications has effectively enhanced employee engagement and awareness of diversity initiatives.

BRONZE: ČSOB

With 76.5 points, ČSOB impressed the jury with its strong commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion, highlighted by several notable initiatives. These include prohibiting discrimination within the collective agreement and offering high-quality internal training on LGBTQ+ topics. The active PROUD employee resource group is also praised for promoting LGBTQ+ awareness and advocacy within the company.

BRONZE: Clifford Chance

With 72,5 points, Clifford Chance excelled in different ranking categories. Clifford Chance has been recognized for its comprehensive policies protecting employees from discrimination and harassment, showing a proactive approach to safeguarding workplace rights. The firm’s high-quality training on LGBTQ+ topics is also exemplary, helping staff create an inclusive environment.

BRONZE: Honeywell

With 70,5 points, Honeywell is praised for its frequent and high-quality internal communications on LGBTQ+ topics. It also offers top-notch training on LGBTQ+ topics, empowering its workforce to create an inclusive environment. The jury has also noted Honeywell’s efforts to spread inclusivity beyond the capital, organizing events at its branches in Brno and Olomouc.

BRONZE: MONETA Money Bank

With 70 points, Moneta Money Bank shows proactive efforts in promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion both internally and externally. The jury praises the active role of Moneta Money Bank’s leadership in advocating for LGBTQ+ workplace equality as well as the bank’s external communication, which extends beyond internal policies to support LGBTQ+ inclusion in the broader community.

BRONZE: WPP

With 70 points, WPP shows its dedication to LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion through strategic impact monitoring. The jury was impressed by WPP’s efforts to evaluate LGBTQ+ inclusion for continuous improvement. Additionally, WPP’s leadership actively engages in diversity, equity, and inclusion activities, highlighting their commitment to fostering an inclusive culture.

Big Step Forward: Škoda Auto

In the annual LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer ranking, Škoda Auto has achieved a remarkable leap, improving its score by an impressive 16.2 points from its previous application, bringing its current rating to 56.5 points. This advancement, up from 40.3, is a testament to the company’s dedicated efforts and strategic focus on creating a genuinely inclusive work environment.

Škoda Auto’s commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion is reflected in several key initiatives:

• Škoda Proud: This LGBTQ+ employee resource group has been particularly effective, receiving robust support from the company. It plays a crucial role in fostering a supportive community and driving internal change.
• Comprehensive Training Programs: The company has implemented a high-quality system of training sessions focused on LGBTQ+ issues, ensuring that all employees understand and appreciate the importance of diversity and inclusion.
• Inclusive HR Practices: Škoda Auto has developed detailed and high-quality HR materials that respect and promote relational and gender diversity, setting a benchmark for the industry.

In a sector where the focus on diversity and inclusion is not commonly embraced, Škoda Auto has not only adopted such policies but has excelled in implementing them effectively. The company’s proactive approach and visible improvements in this area are commendable and serve as a leading example for others in the industry.

Employee Driven Initiatives: ČSOB

Since its establishment in 2019, PROUD, ČSOB employee resource group, has not only flourished within ČSOB, but has also set a benchmark for other ERGs within the KBC group. Over the past five years, PROUD has exemplified how employee-driven initiatives can spearhead significant cultural shifts within a corporate environment. The jury was particularly impressed by PROUD’s proactive and dynamic approach to transforming the corporate culture at ČSOB and across the KBC group. This group’s activities and strategies demonstrate a deep commitment to fostering an environment where every employee feels valued and included. A standout aspect of PROUD’s work has been its focus on including allies in its initiatives. By engaging a broader community within the company, PROUD has enhanced the understanding and acceptance of diversity, extending its impact beyond the immediate LGBTQ+ community to influence the company’s overall culture positively.

Hana Součková, Country Manager, SAP Czech Republic

Hana has consistently championed diversity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees at SAP Czech Republic with tremendous enthusiasm. The year 2023 was particularly notable as she showcased Pride@SAP and DEI initiatives at SAP’s largest customer event in the country. Additionally, Hana was instrumental in confirming gender-neutral toilets at the Prague office and actively supported marriage equality by signing an open letter to the Prime Minister.

Beata Borer, Executive Director, GBS Prague Site Lead, MSD Czech Republic

Beata is a passionate advocate and leader for diversity, equity, and inclusion at MSD. As an executive sponsor of MSD’s employee resource group, Beata actively promotes and supports participation in workshops, events, and various initiatives. Her engagement during Town Halls and conferences, as well as her interaction with the Country Council, underscores her dedication to understanding and addressing the needs of all employees. Beata’s efforts exemplify her commitment to fostering an inclusive environment.

Bohumil Říha, Managing Director, Johnson & Johnson

Bohumil is a dedicated ally and a passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ employees at Johnson & Johnson.  He has been the executive sponsor for the ERG at Johnson & Johnson for two years now. His commitment has significantly increased the budget and sponsorships for LGBTQ+ initiatives. As a top executive, he actively supports inclusivity through the ‘Open & Out’ initiative, promoting equal opportunities and prioritizing the personal and professional growth of all employees.

Martina Zimmermann, Expert Coordinator for Diversity, Škoda Auto

Martina is a remarkable leader at Škoda Auto, dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace. She fosters a safe and inclusive environment for all staff, recognizing their individual needs and challenges. Thanks to her work Škoda Auto facilitated tangible progress in the area of LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion. Martina is a true champion of equality at Škoda Proud.

Barbora Vachová, former ČSOB Diversity Lead

Barbora is an exceptional visionary thanks to whom ČSOB is a leader in LGBTQ+ workplaces inclusion in the financial sector. After coming back from maternity leave, Barbora took a position of Diversity Lead at ČSOB and worked tirelessly to spreadhead diversity, equity and inclusion on all levels of the organization. During her tenure, the local ERG was established and today serves as an example for many other ERGs in the group, repeatedly winning the Employee Driven Initiatives award. She introduced equal benefits for LGBTQ+ employees in the ČSOB and brought attention and support for LGBTQ+ inclusion from the leadership of the company.

Barbora Šikolová, Operations Manager, Amazon

As the GLAMAZON President, Barbora spearheaded impactful LGBTQ+ initiatives, co-created Amazon’s transgender policy, and invited NGOs to engage with local management. Barbora’s leadership in organizing last year’s LGBTQ+ meetings, including “Jsme Fer,” showcases her dedication to diversity and inclusion, making her a true trailblazer at Amazon Czech.

Garrett Dibon–Smith, Associate Director Talent Enablement, Novartis Czech Republic

Garrett is a pioneer of Pride Czechia ERG Chapter, he is the one who took the hardest part of ERG – its creation. Garrett is unique person, who is driving LGBTQ+ agenda from his heart, he doesn’t do it for a sake of visibility, is passionate about it and is an advocate for LGBTQ+ people. He is also part of the Global LGBTQ+ leadership at Novartis and his bold objective is the creation of inclusive, safe workspace.

Stanislav Švec, Communication, University Relations, Manufacturing Support, Honeywell

Stanislav Švec is the founding member of Honeywell CEE LGBTQ+ ERG and the driving force of its activities in the Olomouc chapter. He translated the Honeywell Trans Inclusion toolkit into Czech. He also works hard to support local activists. In the past, he connected Honeywell with a local LGBTQ+ non-profit in Olomouc – Ollove, inviting the activists and young graduates to talk about their expectations from employers as LGBTQ+ people.

Gold: Vodafone Czech Republic

With 92,7% Vodafone Czech Republic placed in the LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer ranking in the Gold position. Vodafone maintained its leadership in the LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer ranking also in 2023 and kept leading in almost all areas. The Jury would like to highlight Vodafone’s care for trans and non-binary employees, which can serve as an example of good practice for other companies. 

Gold: MSD Czech Republic

With 90,2% MSD Czech Republic placed in the LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer ranking in the Gold position. The company scored very high across all ranking categories. MSD Czech Republic can serve as an example of the best practice for others in recruitment and retention, especially in training employees in LGBTQ+ sensitivity.

Silver: SAP Group

With 89%, SAP Group placed in the LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer ranking in the silver position. SAP Group scores very high across all ranking categories. The Jury especially highlights SAP Group’s excellence in the category of regulation and equal benefits, in care for trans and non-binary employees, and in the category of recruitment and retention, where it scored the highest points among all ranked companies.

Silver: Accenture

With 89,2%, Accenture placed in the LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer ranking in the silver position. Accenture scores very high across all ranking categories. The Jury especially highlights Accenture’s achievements in the category of monitoring and evaluation as well as in the area of recruitment and retention and the support for employee-driven initiatives. 

Bronze: ČSOB

With 77,6%, ČSOB placed in the LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer ranking in the bronze position. The company scored high across ranking categories. The Jury especially highlights excellence in regulations and equal benefits for LGBTQ+ employees and the role of leadership in pursuing LGBTQ+ equality at ČSOB workplace.

Bronze: Novartis

With 75,2%, Novartis placed in the LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer ranking in the bronze position. The company scored high across ranking categories. The Jury especially highlights excellence in regulations, equal benefits for LGBTQ+ employees, and support for employee-driven initiatives.

Bronze: Sentinel One

With 70,9%, SentinelOne placed in the LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer ranking in the bronze position. The company scored high across ranking categories. The Jury especially highlights SentinelOne’s care for trans and non-binary employees, which is among the best in the Czech market. 

Big Step Forward: ČEZ

Among the companies that we have repeatedly evaluated in the LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer ranking, ČEZ made the biggest leap forward compared to last year. The company jumped by 16,3% up and received 35,6% this year (compare to 19,3% last year). Significant progress can be seen especially in the area of internal rules and equal benefits, which the company has adopted in collective bargaining agreement. Furthermore, visible support of top management as well as implementation of external activities to support LGBTQ+ people, are other areas where the company stepped it up. For example, ČEZ has created a D&I microsite that includes the LGBTQ+ target group, ČEZ created a Glossary of LGBTQ+ terms, they share stories of ambassadors, work with S barvou ven counceling center and became a supporter and partner of the LGBTQ+ Community Center. ČEZ  is another company to make such significant progress in the field of LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace.

Employee Driven Initiatives: Novartis

Novartis receives the award in this category for the first time. Although their LGBTQ+ employee resource group Pride @ Novartis was established already in 2020, Novartis managed to attract amazing 156 new members last year.  The jury especially appreciated the long-term work of the group inside the company in the area of confidential support for employees during their coming out at the workplace or reporting of homophobic, transphobic or biphobic bullying. The Jury especially applauded the group for  managing LGBTQ+ Reverse Mentoring Program for Executive Leaders. Jury was amazed by plethora of activities that Pride @ Novartis realized in 2022 from screening of Zakon lasky documentary, through rainbow flag raising in the offices to becoming a partner to Fun&Run charity run. 

Ladislav Kučera, Human Resources Director SAP Czech Republic and Slovakia

Ladislav is a Prime Ally of the SAP’s LGBTQ+ community, he is a key spokesperson and amplifier to the D&I-related issues and a great support  for the Pride@SAP Czech Republic. In his HR Director role Ladislav among other drives high employee engagement and creates a consistent work and cultural environment for employees to thrive with a strong focus on D&I.

David Lhota, Country Manager, WPP

David is an important ally and a rare example of how a CEO can change company culture with his active approach. He enthusiastically tackled the topic and brought WPP to the Pride Business Forum as a Premium Member. With his active support, an WPP employee resource group was created. The company actively approaches explaining the importance of the topic both internally and externally.

Jan Kotík, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, ŠKODA AUTO a.s.

Jan has courageously and energetically embarked on addressing LGBTQ+ inclusion at ŠKODA AUTO. Thanks to his efforts ŠKODA AUTO joined the Pride Business Forum in 2021  He was pivotal in establishing and activating the internal employee resource group ŠKODA Proud. In 2022, thanks to Jan’s unwavering commitment, the training of all HR generalists within the company was successfully conducted. Jan serves as an essential role model, which holds particular significance within the manufacturing industry.

Jana Vychroňová, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Vodafone

Jana has been active in the area of ​​Diversity & Inclusion since 2014. Primarily thanks to her enormous and unrelenting commitment, Vodafone Czech Republic has become an inspiration in the area of ​​LGBTQ+ for other companies. Thanks to a broad range of internal and external activities, Vodafone is a proud holder of many awards. Last but not least, Jana is a role model for other straight allies.

Kateřina Nosek, Country Communication and Patient Engagement Head, Novartis Czech Republic

Kateřina is the proud sponsor of One Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ERG (OneDEI) in the Czech Republic and provides counsel, support, and guidance to the ERG Leads and Members, including Pride Czechia. Also thanks to her support and counsel the Proud @ Novartis excelled and received the Employee driven initiative award!

Silver: Microsoft s.r.o

Microsoft has performed very well, especially in the areas of regulations and benefits, and recruitment and work with employees. LGBTQ+ employees, including gender-diverse ones, have comparable benefits at Microsoft as everyone else. Microsoft is openly aware of its diversity and equal opportunities at the time of recruitment, regardless of gender identity or the expression of those interested in working at Microsoft.

Silver: MSD Czech Republic

MSD Czech Republic excelled in the area of ​​recruitment and work with employees, where it ranked first with a 100% result and thus overtook Vodafone, for example. At the same time, we appreciate that at MSD, employees undergo mandatory micro-aggression training for LGBTQ+ people and learn to detect, prevent or report micro-aggression.

Silver: Accenture

Accenture scored especially in the area of ​​impact monitoring and other activities, where it ranked first. Accenture offers LGBTQ+ employees a wide range of support options, many for a long time, such as gender-neutral toilets. Accenture also actively supports LGBTQ+ visibility – in addition to the ability to wear rainbow strings for employee cards or badges or badges, these are also activities on Instagram and LinkedIn and changes to the Accenture logo on the company’s buildings during the rainbow during August 2021.

Bronze: SAP Group

SAP Goup scored mainly in the category of recruitment and work with employees. SAP Goup is active and can be seen in recruitment focused directly on LGBTQ+ talents. He has an official instagram account called: lifeatsap, where recruitment advertisements are published, as well as Diversity and Inclusion topics, and every year he also organizes open days for talent acquisition in the local office represented by Pride @ SAP. In 2021, SAP CZ together with SAP Germany were part of the virtual LGBTQ+ Career Fair.

Bronze: IBM Česká republika

IBM bodovala zejména v kategorii “Role vedení”, kde skončila druhá hned za Vodafonem. Příkladem dobré praxe, jež je hodný následování je reverzní mentoring pro management, který v IBM zajišťují, aby se ujistili, že budou rozumět LGBTQ+ zaměstanecům*kyním, a dále se vrcholový management také mimo jiné účastní různých aktivit zaměřených na LGBTQ+ tematiku.

Bronze: Československá obchodní banka

ČSOB bodovala zejména v kategorii vnitřních zaměstnaneckých skupin. V této oblasti je ČSOB velice aktivní a mimo jiné je jedním z jejích cílů i začít s měřením spokojenosti LGBTQ+ zaměstnanců a zaměstnankyň nebo uspořádat akci s celospolečenských dopadem (charitativní sbírku). I výhled do budoucna je velmi zajímavý, např. ČSOB skupina PROUD se stane v roce 2022 centrem pro celou skupinu KBC a bude z Čech podporovat kolegy*ně v Maďarsku, na Slovensku, v Bulharsku, i v Belgii.

Employee Driven Initiatives: Vodafone ČR

Vodafone receives the award in this category for the first time. Their LGBTQ+ employee resource group was established in 2015. Vodafone received 95% and placed first in this subcategory. The jury especially appreciated the long-term work of the group inside the company in the area of confidential support for employees during their coming out at the workplace. Despite all the obstacles that arose during the COVID 19 pandemic, the group fulfilled its ambitious goals and implemented many activities, for example during Pride week. The group has also been heavily involved in the #zaruce initiative, highlighting the unacceptability of homophobia and violence in public space.

Big Step Forward: Česká pošta

Among the companies that we have repeatedly evaluated in the LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer ranking, Česká pošta made the biggest leap forward compared to last year. The company jumped 42% up. Significant progress can be seen especially in the area of internal rules and equal benefits, which the company has adopted. Furthermore, visible support of top management as well as implementation of external activities to support LGBTQ+ people, are other areas where the company stepped it up. For example, the rainbow packages that the Czech Post produced during the Prague Pride 2021 festival. The Czech Post is the first state-owned company to make such significant progress in the field of LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace.

Frederic Guichard, General Manager Central & Eastern Europe, Danone

Mr. Guichard makes ongoing efforts to promote inclusive diversity policy throughout the CEE region from his position as top manager. We would like to particularly highlight his tenacity, when very negative feedback in the conservative Poland had not discouraged him to be a leader of Diversity and Inclusion in Danone for the whole region. It sends a message within the company that this is an important topic, but also sets an example to other business partners. For example, thanks to his effort, DANONE has equal benefits for rainbow families throughout the whole CEE region.

Mr. Thomas Johansson, Executive Director, Clinical Operations, Regional Head EU, MSD Czech Republic

Mr. Johansson has been a very supportive executive sponsor to MSD Czech Republic LGBTQ+ employee resource group, and has directly helped to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues in the whole CEE region. He has spoken to address the specific challenges LGBTQ+ colleagues face in countries such as Poland or Hungary. He is a great role model for LGBT+ employees in the company, being openly gay himself. In this sense his argumentation and explanation on the impact of bigoted actions and policies by the governments on lives of LGBTQ+ individuals, is authentic and very powerful.  His sponsorship has led to the expansion of Czech ERG to Hungary, Slovakia and Poland.

Stela Koleva, VP of EMEA Service and Support & Country Director, SAP Czech 

Ms. Koleva has been a big supporter of the LGBTQ+ community since her early carrier at SAP, being at the forefront and standing up for equality. Now as a Country Director, she is one of the sponsors of internal programs and initiatives. She is a steering force for everything that is going on at  SAP LGBTQ+ employee resource groups called Pride@SAP. Ms. Koleva is also been a key player in advocating for a more open and inclusive workplace at SAP.port. 

Petr Dvořák, CEO, Vodafone ČR

We all remember horrible attack on gay couple that we witnessed last year in Prague, only because they were holding hands. People in Vodafone Czech Republic were very affected by this news, and came up with the idea of #ZaRuce challenge – taking photos while holding hands and posting them on social media with a supportive message. Not only Petr Dvořák immediately accepted the challenge, he was the first one who posed in the photo, holding hands with his colleague. Thanks to his active support and leadership, the challenge was quickly picked up by others – more than 15 other businesses joined the challenge as well as many individuals – maybe you remember on the occasion of last year’s award ceremony we took a photo as well – this sent a clear signal from business community that violence, bigotry and homophobia has no place on our streets. 

Martina Navrátilová

Champion: Vodafone

Vodafone has won the award for the third time, which proves their long-term and deep commitment to LGBTQ+ equality in the Czech workplace. Vodafone is a true champion in this area and can serve as an example of best practices in the Czech market. Vodafone won for creating the perfect mix of all elements, resulting in a workplace that is inclusive and open to all. The jury especially appreciated the fact that Vodafone does not rest on its laurels, but is constantly trying to improve. In 2019, the company adopted new employee benefits for people in transition and extended parental benefits to all parents, including same-sex parents.

2nd Runner Up: Accenture

Accenture has long been at the forefront of this award and rightly so. The jury praised Accenture’s comprehensive approach to LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace. From setting internal regulations to working with employees, the jury highlighted the work with rainbow lanyards for opening up the work environment. The jury appreciated the internal employee resource group’s activities: Accenture traditionally excels in supporting management in this area and in active internal and external communication.

Employee-driven initiatives: ExxonMobil

This is third time that ExxonMobil has received an award in this subcategory, which proves that its LGBTQ+ internal employee resource group is one of the best in the Czech market. Its proactive approach to promoting LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace is unique, and is a shining example showing that voluntary activities by employees can influence the workplace culture and the behavior of the whole company. The jury was impressed by the Ally Engagement Project, which the group started in 2019 and which attracted the attention of many employees to the group’s activities.

Big Step Forward: ČSOB

ČSOB only recently began to address the topic of LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace, but from the very beginning it focused heavily on this area and has taken a huge step forward in such a short time. Its LGBTQ+ internal employee resource group was only established in 2019. ČSOB joined the Pride Business Forum and began to change its employee benefits to make them the same for LGBTQ+ employees. All this is possible only thanks to the unique cooperation between the LGBT lead, the HR department and the company’s management. Thanks to this synergy, ČSOB has now received the Big Step Forward 2020 award.

Anita Zubak, Executive Director Global IT Operations & Hub Lead, MSD Czech Republic

MSD Czech Republic launched the Czech Chapter of the Rainbow Alliance in September 2018, and Anita has been it‘s strongest and most visible supporter. Anita drove all discussions internally to march in the Pride Parade in 2019, despite the very conservative approach with MSD‘s external brand. In the end, with Anita’s support, over 30 colleagues and their family members marched in the parade, representing MSD and breaking the old perceptions in our region. In addition, MSD raised the rainbow flag on top of it‘s building and hosted internal LGBTQ+ events. Anita was part of all of that. Now with Anita’s full support, MSD have signed the Pride Business Forum Memorandum, making MSD CZ full members of the initiative. MSD has Anita’s energy, drive and support to thank for the incredible progress the company has made in such a short time.

Carl Clarke, Director People and Property, Vodafone Czech Republic

Carl is passionate about authentic leadership and inclusive workplaces and is actively involved in the Vodafone LGBTQ+ and Supporters Network. Carl has led a four-year global strategy to embed LGBTQ+ inclusion across Vodafone’s core operations. This included leading on targeted interventions (care, branding, policies, employee networks, supply chain, employee lifecycle, enterprise and customer engagement) and repositioning Vodafone as an externally recognized global employer for LGBTQ+ inclusion.  Internationally, he has led on changing Vodafone’s global Code of Conduct and international mobility policies; coaching for senior leaders; training for allies and LGBTQ+ role models, and the formation of a creative two-year partnership with Google and GSK to develop LGBTQ+ senior leaders. He also spearheaded international research with OutNow on the experience of LGBTQ+ people when they start work and led Vodafone interventions to address research findings. Since arriving in the Czech Republic, Carl has coached and supported senior leaders outside of Vodafone to progress and ‘get going’ with LGBTQ+ inclusion. It has also included engaging with Vodafone’s supply chain partners to influence the eco-system that Vodafone operates in. More recently, Carl has sponsored the introduction of trans-inclusive benefits into Vodafone, providing financial support to employees that transition gender at work.

Denise Waddingham, Country Director of The British Council, Czech Republic

After joining us in the Autumn of 2017 as Country Director of the British Council, Czech Republic, Denise very quickly proved herself to be a very valuable ally and active promoter of the LGBTQ+ community. Although The British Council already has EDI principles instilled in their core values, we believe Denise goes above and beyond her role of Country Director in not only ensuring all staff are seen, heard, respected, and valued, but that important conversations are started, and that our values are shared with the community and promoted to other workplaces. 

Michal Nebeský, CEO Citi Czech Republic

Michal Nebeský actively supports LGBTQ+ and has long been working to raise awareness about the LGBTQ+ community across the corporate world in the Czech Republic. During his time at Citibank, Michal supported the establishment of an internal resource LGBTQ+ group in the bank and an active dialogue between employees on this topic. Thanks to his support, Citi has become one of the main partners of peer-to-peer online mentoring site Sbarvouven.cz which offers mentoring for people coming out and also offers support groups for their parents. Thanks to Michal, Citibank publicly supported the bill on same-sex marriage and also became one of the signatories of the Pride Business Forum Memorandum on the Promotion of LGBTQ+ Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace in 2019.