Nationwide Named as One of the UK's Top 50 Employers for Women for Third Year Running

Nationwide Building Society has been named in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2015, which lists the organisations that are leading on workplace gender equality.

The unranked alphabetical list is published in partnership with Opportunity Now (This link will open in a new window), the workplace gender campaign from Business in the Community (This link will open in a new window), during Business in the Community's Responsible Business Week (This link will open in a new window).

The list was announced last night at the Opportunity Now Excellence in Practice Awards 2015, which are sponsored by Nationwide. The Awards recognise public and private sector organisations that are committed to creating inclusive workplaces for women at all levels.

Women make up almost 65 percent of the overall workforce at Nationwide and more than 50 percent of its managers are women. Nationwide's latest annual employee survey supports The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2015 accolade. The survey shows:

• 94% of women say they are proud to work for Nationwide
• 92% believe Nationwide values the diversity of its employees
• 81% feel engaged (high performing norm is 73%)

Ann Brown, Nationwide's HR Director, said: "With such a high proportion of our workforce being women it's very important that we have an inclusive culture and an environment in which everyone has the opportunity to thrive in their careers, irrespective of their gender.

"To be named as one of the top 50 employers for the third year running is excellent news and yet more recognition of Nationwide's status as an exemplar employer." Kathryn Nawrockyi, Opportunity Now Director, Business in the Community, said: "Congratulations to Nationwide on being included in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2015. They have recognised that putting inclusive behaviours at the core of what they do and making gender equality a business priority not only benefits the women they employ, but also the organisation as a whole and the clients, customers and communities they serve. Their dedication and commitment to driving change should educate and inspire other employers to make a difference, whatever their size or sector."

Case studies are available on request.

The Times Top 50 Employers for Women is free for any employer with a UK presence to enter and involves a comprehensive submission process, which is managed by Opportunity Now. All organisations within the Top 50 have demonstrated that gender equality is a key part of their business strategy, with consistent commitment to progressing women in the workplace that covers their entire organisation, not just isolated areas.

Organisations submit detailed information on their internal processes, as well as external activity that promotes gender equality, diversity and inclusion and create opportunities for women in a wider context. Each entry form is stringently marked against a framework of best practice and assessed anonymously by a team of gender diversity experts within Opportunity Now. The Times Top 50 Employers for Women is unranked, and organisations are listed in alphabetical order.

About Nationwide

Nationwide is the world's largest building society as well as one of the largest savings providers and a top-three provider of mortgages in the UK. It is also a major provider of current accounts, credit cards,ISAs and personal loans. Nationwide has around 15 million customers.

Customers can manage their finances in a branch, via the mobile app, on the telephone, internet and post. The Society has around 17,000 employees. Nationwide's head office is in Swindon with administration centres based in Northampton, Bournemouth and Dunfermline. The Society also has a number of call centres across the UK.