Bankwest supports LGBTI+ community with WA Pride sponsorship

Bankwest has reaffirmed its support of the LGBTIQ+ community by signing a major sponsorship deal with Pride WA, the state's largest LGBTI community group and the organiser of the annual Perth Pride Parade.

The announcement is the latest move by the Western Australian financial institution to both support the community and to help create a supportive culture of inclusion within their own workforce.

Bankwest Managing Director Rowan Munchenberg said the move is an indication of the level of passion amongst colleagues and leaders alike regarding the issue.

"At Bankwest we're intent on creating an environment in which colleagues feel safe to bring their whole selves to work each day. We know a diverse and inclusive workforce is a crucial foundation in providing amazing experiences for our customers," he said.

"Supporting the LGBTIQ+ community is an issue about which our leadership team and I are very passionate. I'm delighted we're doing what we can to support Pride WA and I'm looking forward to seeing Bankwest involved in such an uplifting month on Perth's social calendar."

Bankwest's involvement in and support of LGBTIQ+ rights began in 2015 when the LGBTIQ+ champion and ally network Unity was launched.

Since then, more than a third of colleagues have been through Bankwest's LGBTIQ+ inclusion training and in May of this year Bankwest was named an employer of choice for the third year running in Pride in Diversity's Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Awards.

Last year Bankwest was openly supportive of the same-sex marriage plebiscite and soon after the "Yes" result was announced a large number of Bankwest colleagues joined the Perth Pride Parade to help celebrate this momentous occasion on the streets of Perth.

Bankwest Diversity and Inclusion Manager Pam Spencer said she was delighted to see the signing of the sponsorship deal.

"This deal is a testament to the safe and inclusive environment we have created at Bankwest. Our colleagues continue to be the driving force behind our diversity and inclusion initiatives at Bankwest," she said.

"We're looking forward to supporting PrideFEST in November and while our involvement in last year's parade was a sight to behold, this year's float will be even bigger and more ‘fabulous' than last year."