Sysco GB Celebrates Pride 2023

01 June 2023

LGBTQ+ support network and programme launched across all sites

Sysco GB has announced a comprehensive support programme for the organisation’s LGBTQ+ community. Launched to coincide with ‘Pride’ month, the activity will be biggest the company has ever launched, running across every one of its sites in Great Britain. Through its Spectrum colleague resource group, which was created in 2018 to support LGBTQ+ colleagues, Sysco has appointed a network of LGBTQ+ champions in every Sysco GB business and site, including Brakes, Country Choice, Fresh Direct, Medina Foodservice and kff.

In June, all sites will have a prominent stand offering advice to colleagues with Spectrum members and LGBTQ+ champions on hand to answer questions. Demonstrating its commitment to driving long-term understanding of the issues and needs of the LGBTQ+ community, Brakes Learning and Development team has developed an on-demand training course to help lines managers to better understand the specific needs of LGBTQ+ colleagues.

Brakes will publicly show its commitment by continuing to display updated social media logos for Pride month, highlighting the ongoing need to support diversity and inclusion both within its business and across the country. In addition, Sysco GB has announced that it will roll out its ‘Progress Pride’ pedestrian crossings to further sites, following the successful introductions at its Aylesford depot and Ashford head office, as a visual and permanent reminder of the importance of recognising and embracing diversity.

Sysco GB companies will join Sysco companies around the world on 8 June to take part in Sysco’s Global Pride Day, as it celebrates the importance of diversity across the world.

Margaret Gooch, Sysco GB HR Director, said: “Having a diverse and engaged workforce is incredibly important to our business and we recognise how important it is to show support not just in June, but across the entire year. We are very pleased to be launching new initiatives, including training and development opportunities that will make a lasting contribution to how diversity is viewed within Sysco GB.”

Mags Harris, representing the Spectrum group at Sysco GB, said: “We are very proud of the work that our Spectrum team does in raising awareness of LGBTQ+ issues at Sysco GB. Our Pride programme will ensure that, across the business, our colleagues can access the support and information that they need. We hope that the work we do will inspire companies across the sector to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community.”

As part of its programme, Spectrum will once again be fundraising for AKT, our partner charity, which supports displaced LGBTQ+ young people, providing safe homes and a better future.