DIAGEO has been ranked as the number one business globally for gender equality in the Equileap 2019 Global Gender Equality Report and Ranking. Diageo has improved its global ranking from 11th in the 2018 Equileap report, and is ranked as the number one business in the UK for gender equality.

The Equileap report is an in-depth, cross-sector analysis of gender equality in 3519 companies in 23 developed economies, representing 98 million employees. Equileap ranks businesses based on 19 gender equality criteria, including gender balance across the workforce, the gender pay gap, paid parental leave and anti-sexual harassment policies.

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The ranking is evidence of the progress Diageo has made to champion diversity and inclusion both within the business and beyond. Acknowledgements in the report include the work Diageo has done to achieve gender balance at the most senior levels of the organisation. Currently 44% of Diageo’s Board are women, and the company is working towards a senior leadership team of 40% women by 2025.

Diageo’s global parental leave policy was also highlighted. It offers female employees in all markets a minimum of 26 weeks of fully paid maternity leave. Diageo has set a global minimum standard of four weeks paternity

leave on full rate of pay in all markets, with a significant number of Diageo’s businesses moving to 26 weeks fully paid paternity

leave including in the UK, North America, Thailand, Philippines, and Australia, amongst others.

Ivan Menezes, chief executive of Diageo said: “I am proud of our work to drive an inclusive culture and diverse employee base at Diageo. Our aim is to create a culture that ensures all our people thrive, as well as shaping market-leading policies and practices. But there is much more to do.”