At Bank of Valletta, the past week was dedicated to appreciating diversity in all its forms. Several initiatives were held across the Bank, driven by the recently set up LGBTIQ+ sub-committee within the Bank’s DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Committee.
The team was responsible for organising a dress-down day, and a live webinar organised for BOV employees during which representatives from the MGRM (Malta LGBTIQ+ Rights Movement) discussed inclusion of the LGBTIQ+ community at the place of work and the meaning behind Pride. Present for the session were also the Bank’s CEO Kenneth Farrugia and Ray Debattista, who heads the Bank’s People and Culture section.
Speaking about the Bank’s initiatives, Kenneth Farrugia said, “It is critically important for institutions such as ours to ensure that diversity and inclusion are truly embedded in the organisation’s culture.” He explained that he looks upon such initiatives as a celebration of the Bank’s collective ability to work better together through people’s differences. Similar testimonials were shared throughout the week by other members of the Bank’s Executive team who, together with the Bank’s Chairman Dr Gordon Cordina celebrated the advances made by society in bringing greater tolerance, recognition, and inclusiveness, and reaffirming that Pride Week is a call to never falter in our collective efforts to make the world a better place.
The Bank went on to commemorate Pride Week by lighting the facades of prominent BOV premises during the past week in the rainbow colours synonymous with the LGBTIQ+ community, including its office in Triq San Zakkarija Valletta and the Branch in Victoria Gozo, along with the BOV Centre and BOV Premium Banking Centre in Santa Venera.
During the dress-down day held on Thursday 14th September, Bank employees were encouraged to wear rainbow colours and take team photographs as a way of supporting the LGBTIQ+ community. As a token of appreciation, employees also received a rainbow muffin on the day.
Speaking about the initiative, Ray Debattista expressed his satisfaction at the collective effort undertaken across the Bank on this occasion. “Over the years, Bank of Valletta’s employees have proven to be the primary asset of our institution. Instilling respect for each other’s differences and learning to respect and learn from one another is critical for us to move forward, as we grow in our profession and as individuals. This is the BOV culture we are instilling in our organisation.”