The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) is celebrating a double win for diversity and inclusion. Their CEO, David Locke, has been named CEO of the Year at the 2024 Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards.
This prestigious award recognizes Locke’s leadership in fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.
“This recognition is a testament to David’s unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, setting a powerful example for leadership in creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace for all,” AFCA’s Independent Chair, Professor John Pollaers said.
Locke himself expressed his gratitude and highlighted the collaborative effort behind the win.
“I’m honoured to receive this award, which is a reflection of the great work everyone has done to make AFCA an inclusive employer where everyone can thrive,” he stated.
“I am passionate about AFCA being a workplace where we are all valued, not in spite of who we are, but because of who we are; a place where there is no ‘other’.
“We want all of our people to feel safe, supported and empowered to bring their whole selves to work, and key to achieving this is to ensure that inclusion and fairness is ingrained in our DNA.
“This then empowers our people to deliver fairer, more equitable and human-centred experiences for the many diverse communities that we serve.”
AFCA’s dedication to LGBTQ+ inclusion extends beyond leadership. In the past year, they launched a comprehensive Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging strategy with a concrete action plan. This plan outlines steps to ensure every employee feels safe and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.
Their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. AFCA recently scored above the benchmark in all categories of the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) survey.
They’ve also been recognized as the best place to work within the Government, Education, Not-for-Profit and Utilities sector by the AFR Best Places to Work list.
Building on this momentum, AFCA established three new Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) in 2024. These groups join their existing LGBTQ+ Ally Network, fostering a sense of belonging for employees with diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities, cultural backgrounds, family or carer responsibilities, and of course, the LGBTQ+ community.
AFCA’s success story demonstrates the power of strong leadership and a well-defined strategy. Their commitment to creating an inclusive workplace sends a powerful message to LGBTQ+ employees and the wider community.
It’s a win not just for AFCA, but for LGBTQ+ inclusion in Australian workplaces as a whole.
Last Updated on Jun 3, 2024
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