Anchor has become the first not-for-profit care and housing provider to win a prestigious inclusive employer award.

The specialist housing and care provider was awarded ‘Gold Status’ in the 2023 Inclusive Employers Standard.

Sarah Jones, chief executive at Anchor, said: “While we know there’s always more we can do, we’re absolutely delighted to have achieved Gold accreditation from Inclusive Employers, recognising us as among the best employers in the UK when it comes to equality, diversity and inclusion.

“For us to have done this only 18 months since we achieved Silver is a mark of the hard work and firm commitment of so many across the organisation to inclusion in the workplace.”

Anchor is a member of Inclusive Employers, which provides expert advice and support to workplaces who are committed to inclusion and accredits those meeting the Inclusive Employers Standard.

The housing and care provider is only the third organisation that Inclusive Employers works with to achieve Gold status.

Claire Williams, managing director at Inclusive Employers, organisers of the Inclusive Employers Standard, said: “Huge congratulations to the team at Anchor having received a Gold in their Inclusive Employer Standard assessment 2023. The organisation has demonstrated significant work and huge commitment to inclusion over a number of years, starting by completing the Foundation Inclusive Employers Standard 2019, and then the full assessment on three further occasions, moving through Bronze and Silver and now achieving Gold.

“As only the third organisation to ever achieve Gold, and the first in the care and housing sector, this is a massive achievement and a fantastic example of inclusion return on investment – Anchor is a real role model for other employers with big inclusion ambition. Well done!”

Visit www.anchorhanover.org.uk/guides-and-support/diversity to read more about Anchor’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.