We spoke to Anna Sirmoglou, Diversity & Inclusion Manager at Centro after they successfully won The Diverse Company Award for The Public Sector at The Excellence in Diversity Awards 2015. Here’s what Anna had to say:
We were delighted to find out that Centro won the Diverse Company award for the Public Sector. We were proud of our achievement and appreciative of the recognition of our efforts to improve public transport accessibility for our customers and employment fairness and inclusivity. Winning also confirmed that we are on the right track and gave us additional motivation and drive.
How did you feel about the other shortlisted nominees within your category?
We were up against high calibre companies with wide ranging remits and great diversity practices and were therefore ecstatic to be chosen as the winner. We are keen to find out more about these companies’ diversity remits and exchange ideas on initiatives and practices that can help us further the equality agenda.
Where are you going to go from here with your work?
We will continue to implement initiatives and practices that can help improve outcomes for employees and customers. We are currently developing a neurodiversity strategy which will improve outcomes for current and future employees. We are also working with disability organisations in the region to develop new accessibility aids that will help people with disabilities get around more easily when using public transport. We have also rolled out a new online equalities training session to all Centro staff.
What does Diversity & Inclusion mean to Centro?
It is about valuing individual differences, creating a positive and fair working environment and providing services that meet everyone’s needs, regardless of their individual circumstances. Creating an inclusive working environment will undoubtedly improve employee relations, productivity and ultimately customer satisfaction. It is the right thing to do, but also makes great business sense.
Where does this rank within your Diversity & Inclusion achievements?
Right up there! We were delighted to have been nominated but winning diverse company of the year for the Public sector made us very proud.
What were yours and your colleague’s thoughts on the awards?
We are glad that these awards exist so that individual and organisational’ efforts are recognised. It is also a great way for people to get an understanding of what is being done to improve inclusion and equality and to highlight the importance of the equality agenda.