Finalists (listed alphabetically by first name)
LGBT+ Open Network Hong Kong
Credit Suisse
With it’s overall aim to support an inclusive and open environment for LGBT+ professionals and their allies in maximising their potential and contribution to the bank’s success, Credit Suisse’s LGBT+ Open Network in Hong Kong has been strategic and proactive in engaging all employees including senior executives in promoting a LGBT+ inclusive workplace. Since its establishment in 2015, the Network has been instrumental in significantly increasing the ally population and in rolling out awareness training to all employees. Externally, the Network organises the bank’s participation in LGBT+ community events, and has taken a leadership role in advocating for social change, in particular, with the QT intervention. Building on this momentum, the Network has a clear set of plans for 2018 and will continue to play a key role in driving LGBT+ inclusion in Hong Kong.
HSBC Pride HK
HSBC
A key value proposition for HSBC's LGBT+ employee network’s initiatives is to engage and support LGBT+ staff who are still closeted through LGBT+ inclusion initiatives both in the Bank and in Hong Kong in general. With its impressive programme of engaging and innovative events which it opens to external participants, long term relationships with LGBT+ NGOs, ally training programme and regular communications targeting employees’ areas of interest, HSBC has demonstrated a strong commitment to LGBT+ inclusion and aims to set the gold standard for employment benefits for LGBT+ professionals in finance and banking. To encourage participation and allyship, HSBC Pride HK introduced colourful rainbow-lions inspired lanyards as a bold and visible symbol of LGBT+ inclusion. This initiative has now expanded beyond Hong Kong. The Pride HK network also serves as the dedicated channel to monitor and give advice to various internal departments of the Bank, in order to cultivate an inclusive environment for LGBT+ employees as one of Hong Kong’s biggest employers.
Nomura LGBT Network AEJ
Nomura International (Hong Kong) Limited
Nomura is one of very few Asia-based, Asia-headquartered financial institutions taking a visible and outspoken stand in support of LGBT+ rights in Hong Kong. Through proactively engaging senior management and maintaining internal momentum, the network took the lead in proposing the firm’s participation in the QT case intervention last year. Internally, the network has strategically leveraged its resources to extend its influence to other Asian countries such as Singapore and Japan through organising cross-network events. Moving forward, Nomura will continue its participation and partnership with external stakeholders in order to expand its influence within and beyond Hong Kong.