SANTANDER UK – which employs more than 1,600 people in Bradford – has been named in the highly respected ‘The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2020’.

The Times Top 50 Employers for Women is published in partnership with Business in the Community.

The alphabetical and unranked list celebrates UK employers that are committed to creating inclusive workplace cultures and women’s progression at work.

The listing involves a comprehensive submission process managed by Business in the Community.

The award recognises the wide range of ways that Santander is working to achieve equality for women at work including initiatives such as:

• ‘Accelerating You’, a nine-month leadership development programme for talented women to support their careers development goals and broaden their networks;

• Gender balanced recruitment shortlists for senior management positions;

• Unconscious bias training to over 2,300 senior leaders;

• An employee-led ‘Women in Business’ network, with a membership of over 3,000 employees providing career support, networking opportunities and a community to share experiences and provide input on changes that will support the working lives of employees;

• Extensive family friendly policies and a flexible working policy which encourages colleagues and managers to work together to deliver a positive balance for their work and home life.

Santander was also commended for being in the top 10 per cent of organisations that have featured regularly in ‘The Times Top 50 Employers for Women’ list over the last decade.

The accolades follow another prestigious award for Santander as an employer this year, with the bank receiving the Top Employer certification by the Top Employers Institute.

Tim Hinton, Santander’s Gender Sponsor and an Executive Director, said: “It’s fantastic to be recognised as a top employer for women – promoting gender equality within our organisation sits at the heart of our wider commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“We’re proud of the progress we have made in creating a culture where everyone can thrive, learn and grow regardless of their gender and we’re determined to do more to drive further change.”

Charlotte Woodworth, Gender Equality Campaign Director, Business in the Community, said: “Business in the Community’s Times Top 50 Employers for Women list is the longest running and most widely respected award for employers committed to achieving equality for women at work.

“This year marks ten years of the awards, and the bar was especially high.

“A decade of expertise and experience underpins Business In the Community’s assessment, which sees organisations reviewed across a wide range of areas including transparency around pay practices, family friendly policies and to what extent the gender equality agenda is embedded into wider strategy.”