Pride is more than a month – It is a commitment we support every day.

When I look back to when I first started in the industry, I can see just how far we’ve come on issues that affect so many people who work with us. The conversations we’re having now – open, respectful, and genuine – simply weren’t happening at the same scale or depth a few years ago.

Every June, Pride Month gives us the opportunity to honour and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. The history, the courage, and the continued drive for equality. At Cadent, we do not just mark Pride once a year. We celebrate, support, and stand with our LGBTQ+ colleagues and communities 365 days a year.

Our Pride at Work community is at the heart of this. It is a safe, welcoming group where LGBTQ+ and allied colleagues can thrive, feel seen and truly be themselves. Throughout the year, the community run events, workshops, and forums to uplift voices, encourage understanding and ensure inclusion is woven into every part of our culture.

You will see us proudly represented at Pride events across our network. Showing up with purpose and pride, celebrating progress and continuing to raise awareness about the importance of equity and inclusion. Whilst some organisations choose to change their logos to celebrate Pride, we have chosen a different path – because we believe in making inclusion part of our everyday identity, not just a logo change once a year. For us, support is constant, not symbolic. This approach reflects the values we embed across all our inclusion efforts.

But it does not stop there. We have a range of communities which we actively support.

Pride is part of a bigger story – one of commitment to every community within our business.

Our employee-led networks make sure everyone feels valued, respected, and supported:

Thrive! - shines a spotlight on visible and invisible disabilities, advocating for accessibility and enabling everyone to bring their full selves to work.

Women in Cadent - champions gender equality, supporting the professional and personal development of women across our organisation.

Embrace - promotes understanding of different faiths and cultures, while elevating the voices of colleagues from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Cadent Military Community - supports veterans, reservists, and their families, ensuring their experiences are recognised and valued.

Grief Awareness - helps colleagues navigate the often-silent experience of loss, making sure no one goes through grief alone.

Men in Cadent – opens honest conversations around mental health, physical wellbeing, and masculinity.

These communities are more than networks; they are here to champion the voice of our colleagues; providing support and education to drive change and shape policies. They ensure that our inclusion efforts are not just reactive but proactive. We do not just talk about diversity – we live it, every day, through actions big and small. Creating safe spaces, to share a coffee, to listen – our communities are there for each other, every single day.

Being inclusive is not a tick-box or a monthly campaign. It is a culture. A commitment. A belief that everyone deserves to belong, contribute and thrive.

There is always more to do, and always more to learn, but I’m immensely proud of the progress we’ve made and the culture we’re continuing to build together. The passion and commitment from our people, especially those leading and participating in our colleague communities, is what truly sets us apart.

So, yes, this Pride Month, we will raise our flags, wear our rainbows with pride, and celebrate loudly. But, we will also continue doing what we do best – making our business one of the most inclusive employers, not just for one month, but all year round.