Chess takes Pride in celebrating Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

Cat Gregory, our Office and Culture Coordinator, shares how Chess embraced Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) during this year’s LGBTQIA+ Pride Week celebrations.

At Chess, we pride ourselves on building strong teams made up of People from diverse backgrounds, all contributing to our unique One Team spirit. We believe everyone’s journey is special, and we’re committed to creating an open, supportive environment where our People can be their authentic selves.

Our commitment to diversity is at the heart of our Blueprint, where we outline the importance of creating a workplace where everyone, including LGBTQIA+ colleagues, can thrive and grow in their careers. Pride Week gave us an opportunity to celebrate this diversity, learn from each other, and embrace the richness that our world offers.

Celebrating Pride with Purpose

We kicked off Pride Week with “Pride & Praise,” combining our dedication to DEI with our charitable values. For every individual praise shared on our Engage platform during the week, Chess donated £1 to Body Positive Charity North West. Thanks to the amazing engagement of our teams, we raised an impressive total of £850 to support this wonderful cause.

Body Positive, a charity close to our head office, provides invaluable services to the LGBTQIA+ community in the North West. Their core values—compassion, inclusivity, empowerment, and collaboration—resonate deeply with our own, making it a privilege to support their work.

Bringing People Together

With over 95% of our People working remotely, we hosted a vibrant dress-down day to encourage everyone to get involved. The challenge? Come to work dressed in as much color as possible. Unsurprisingly, our Teams didn’t disappoint, brightening screens and spirits everywhere!

Throughout the week, our One Culture Team, led by Dyfan Tucker, sparked thought-provoking conversations with articles and discussion starters tied to daily themes. Topics like “How to Be an Ally,” “Understanding Gender Fluidity,” and “The Importance of Pronouns” equipped our People with practical insights, reinforcing our shared commitment to fostering an inclusive culture.

Diversity in All Its Forms

We also took a moment to reflect on diversity beyond LGBTQIA+ representation. On Diversity Day, we celebrated the many ways our differences make us stronger and bring pride to our lives and work. It’s this diversity that enriches our workplace and truly makes Chess a Great Place to Work.

A Fun Finish

We wrapped up the week with the much-anticipated Pride Quiz, testing knowledge and inspiring camaraderie. The lucky winners walked away with some fantastic prizes, closing out the celebrations on a high note!

Are you looking for a career with one of the UK’s leading independent technology service providers? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to our recruitment team here or email us directly at [email protected].