Manchester Pride is delighted to announce that AutoTrader UK, the country’s leading digital automotive marketplace, has received the prestigious ‘Role Model’ accreditation from their All Equals Charter.

The All Equals Charter is a programme championed by Manchester Pride to ensure businesses and organisations understand, recognise, and challenge any form of discrimination in the workplace. By becoming a part of this progressive movement, organisations commit to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equal workplace. The Charter offers four levels of accreditation: Entry Level, Foundation, Good Practice, and Role Model.

Role Model accreditation is the highest honour within the All Equals Charter, awarded to organisations that exhibit LGBTQ+ inclusion practices far beyond the standard best practice approaches. Role Models are expected to offer exceptional LGBTQ+ internal inclusion practices and explicitly support the liberation of intersectional LGBTQ+ communities beyond their organisation’s walls.

Dr. Christopher Owen, Manchester Pride’s Inclusivity Manager, who assessed AutoTrader UK, said: “Role Model accreditations are not awarded lightly, and a great deal of care and attention was paid to AutoTrader UK's practices to really ensure they met this incredibly high standard. But there was no denying the significant value of their LGBTQ+ inclusion work. 

“I am so deeply impressed by the work they are doing across their sector and with their partners to improve LGBTQ+ inclusion, especially their work addressing and resolving the systemic barriers for trans and non-binary people. They have created and delivered some hugely valuable resources and services for the automotive industry that I have no doubt will create widespread and lasting change for LGBTQ+ people. 

“Finally, their internal recruitment and progression strategies are really incredible, creating specific pathways to support the career development and leadership of marginalised employees. AutoTrader UK are doing the work to not only platform and celebrate LGBTQ+ people, but to intentionally create a world where everyone is free to live and love without prejudice.”

Christos Tsaprounis, People and Culture Director at AutoTrader, expressed his pride: “We are extremely pleased to receive this accreditation. Having been involved in the All Equals Charter from its early days, it’s rewarding to witness its progress and AutoTrader’s recognition as a Role Model.”

At Manchester Pride, we believe everyone deserves to be their true self, all day every day. That’s why we’re encouraging workplaces to join the modern Pride movement, advocate for LGBTQ+ people and work towards an equal world for all. Investing in equality, diversity, and inclusion is not only good for people, but also for business.