Northampton firm lays foundations for a more diverse community with first Pride sponsorship

Lodge Farm based Travis Perkins plc have announced today Wednesday, 1 June, they will be sponsoring Pride Northampton, the first time the firm has taken the step.

The Pride Parade on Sunday 26 June is organised by the Northampton Pride Committee and West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) LGBTQ+ and Allies Forum and aims to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and encourages acceptance and equality for all.

Travis Perkins plc employs 20,000 people at home and abroad, and 1,600 people just in Northamptonshire. They will be supporting the Pride Parade while highlighting what they do to support members of the LGBTQ+ community they employ and serve.

Cllr André González De Savage, Chairman of WNC, said: “When we use the word community, we don’t just mean neighbours, sports clubs and churches. We also mean businesses, especially those who employ thousands of people and pay salaries which are spent within the area.

“It makes me very proud to see not only a household name based in Northampton stepping forward to support its community, but also to see an historic business demolish old norms, to break new ground and open doorways to the LGBTQ+ community."

All 20,000 Travis Perkins plc colleagues are being encouraged to use Pride to educate themselves on what it means to become good allies to lesbian, gay, bi, trans and questioning (LGBTQ+) and will mark the celebrations by taking part in a range of activities, including training, talks and debates.

They will also be encouraged to mark the occasion by wearing rainbow laces or dress brightly during June to show their support.

Robin Miller, General Counsel & Company Secretary for Travis Perkins plc and sponsor of the Group’s LGBTQ+ network, said: “As one of the biggest employers in this area, we are delighted to sponsor this year’s Northampton Pride parade, which provides a great opportunity to celebrate diversity and support our colleagues and everyone from the local LGBTQ+ community.

"We are committed to become a more inclusive business that attracts a more diverse range of talents and people, so we provide a work environment that better reflects the diversity of the communities where we live and work."

As well as financial and marketing support for the parade, Travis Perkins plc will also be recruiting during the event.

Performers, food vendors, stallholders, volunteers, and community groups are all lined up to take part in this year’s Northampton Pride which starts at the Market Square at 11am, with festivities continuing until 4pm.

Travis Perkins is the UK's leading distributor of building materials to trade customers and has the ambition to be the leading partner to the construction industry. The Group operates market leading businesses, including Travis Perkins Builders’ Merchants, Toolstation and a number of specialists in the civils market (Keyline), heating and ventilation (BSS) and drylining and insulation (CCF), and many more. With annual revenues of £4.6bn, the Group employs over 20,000 colleagues across the UK, but also in France and Benelux through Toolstation. The company has a proud heritage that spans over 200 years. For more information, see Travis Perkins.