BNP Paribas launches ‘Diversity Week’ in the UK

From 15^th October–19^th October 2012, BNP Paribas will host a ‘Diversity Week’ across its offices, the first of its kind within the Group. Comprised of a number of educational events for all staff, Diversity Week aims to engender understanding and learning around diversity issues and further encourage a culture of openness.

BNP Paribas is the bank for a changing world, and in this vein recognises the importance that diversity plays in the success of its business. This initiative illustrates the Group’s commitment to developing an inclusive environment for all whilst investing in and supporting its employees.

Diversity Week will serve as an awareness-raising forum, bringing together discussion on gender, ability, sexual orientation, ethnic and religious background. The schedule of events features a number of seminars and discussions with keynote speakers such as Alastair Campbell, Lord Waheed Alli, Sandra Kerr OBE, Michael McGrath and Brian Paddick.

Ludovic de Montille, UK Chairman of the BNP Paribas Group, commented:

“BNP Paribas is committed to being a responsible bank and we recognise that a diverse work force can bring real business advantages. Over the past few years we have launched a number of employee network Groups that have really helped to put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our workplace. The next and logical step was the creation of a UK wide forum ‘Diversity Week’, supported by our networks and senior management, which starts today.”

Elisabeth Karako, Global Head of Diversity at BNP Paribas, added :

“Diversity is extremely important to BNP Paribas’ business. Ensuring that our organisation is both diverse and inclusive has resulted in a number of initiatives across the Group to improve awareness and understanding. UK ‘Diversity Week’ is a fantastic example of an employee-led initiative that will be a forum for all UK employees to engage with important issues that matter to us all.”