Compass Group UK & Ireland’s LGBT & Allies Network celebrates one year anniversary with charity event

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) & Allies Network at Compass Group UK & Ireland, the UK’s largest food and support services firm, celebrated its one year anniversary by hosting an event raising funds for leading HIV and sexual health charity, Terrence Higgins Trust.

With 60,000 employees, Compass Group UK & Ireland is a people-powered business and The LGBT & Allies Network was set up in May 2016, when the business worked with leading LGBT charity Stonewall and professional network OUTstanding, to help develop its workplace strategy and practices to further support LGBT colleagues at work.

Earlier this year, the LGBT & Allies Network announced Terrence Higgins Trust as its charity partner and to date the team has raised over £10,000 for the organisation. 

To mark the network’s one year anniversary a fundraising event was held on May 17, International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, at the unique NY-LON Lounge Bar in The O2 Arena. Guests were able to enjoy an evening of music, food and a silent charity auction.

In the past year, the team has created awareness around the network and its commitment to further develop an inclusive workforce, by holding regular Listening Groups, giving colleagues the opportunity to feedback and shape the agenda, launching a diversity and inclusion training module for colleagues across the business and introducing gender-neutral title option ‘Mx’ for those who wish to use it.

Managing Director of Foodbuy and Executive Sponsor of the LGBT & Allies Network, Oliver Cock, said: “It was great to celebrate the one year anniversary of our LGBT & Allies Network by raising funds for Terrence Higgins Trust. In the past year we have come a long way by providing further support to our LGBT colleagues through the network. At Compass we are really passionate about creating an inclusive workforce for all of our people whereby everyone feels they are able to be their true-selves at work.”  

Claire McMaster, Director of Fundraising at Terrence Higgins Trust said: “We’re delighted to celebrate the one year anniversary of the LGBT & Allies network at Compass Group UK & Ireland, and are extremely grateful for their fundraising efforts since the beginning of our partnership. The money they’ve raised will help us ensure people living with HIV live well.”

Terrence Higgins Trust is at the forefront of the fight against HIV transmission and improving the nation’s sexual health. Its vision is a world where people with HIV live healthy lives free from prejudice and discrimination, and good sexual health is a right and reality for all. The charity has a dedicated helpline called THT Direct. It is the only sexual health and HIV specific helpline in the UK and provides support to 18,000 people across the UK annually.

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For more information contact:

UK Communications Team
Compass Group UK & Ireland
UK.communications@compass-group.co.uk
01895 554 999