Silver is currently the highest level available and only one other company to date, Allstate NI, has received the award.

The award recognises the bank’s commitment to embracing diversity and creating an inclusive culture where differences are seen as a strength and where people feel valued and realise their full potential.

Diversity Mark applications are assessed by an independent panel of experts. Danske Bank demonstrated significant improvements in female representation at Board level and in senior roles as well as a strong commitment to wider diversity through clear targets and new initiatives around sexual orientation and disability.

Danske Bank has three employee networks – a Gender Diversity, a Rainbow Network and a disability network, Enable.

Commenting on the award, Caroline van der Feltz, HR Director at Danske Bank said:

“At Danske Bank people are at the heart of everything we do and we want to ensure that every colleague and customer feels supported, accepted and included.

“As part of our Danske Belong strategy we have very strong employee networks which are driven by passionate volunteers with the focus and ambition to make Danske Bank a place of work where people feel they can be their true selves. The networks have been instrumental in opening up debate, introducing new initiatives and challenging for change, and they have the full support of our senior management team.

“Of course, working life has transformed since the pandemic and we will continue to listen to colleague feedback, collaborate to introduce new policies or initiatives where necessary, and also step up our focus on wellbeing.

“The Diversity Mark underpins our commitment to drive diversity and inclusion and be a force for good in Northern Ireland, and I would encourage other organisations to show their commitment by applying for it.”

Christine White, Diversity Mark NI, added:

“Our assessment panel commended Danske Bank for its strong commitment to diversity and inclusion and the progress it has made. This is an organisation with a laser focus on measurement, using data and employee feedback to drive strategy and to set clear and ambitious targets around diversity and inclusion. The panel found it particularly encouraging to see the marked increase in female representation at Board Level, Senior Manager level and Graduate level, which is evidence of what can be achieved through focused effort.”

Danske Bank is also a signatory of the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter and UK Disability Confident scheme, was the first company in Northern Ireland to sign up to the Valuable 500 and is signed up to be a Stonewall Global Diversity Champion.

Diversity Mark NI was established in 2016 and has more than 70 signatory organisations from all business sectors across Northern Ireland. All organisations registered with the Diversity Mark NI join at the bronze level and earn higher recognitions based on their progress and inclusive diversity achievements.