Charity The Rainbow Project has teamed up with Stonewall to expand its Diversity Champions programme to work with 40 employers by the end of the year, up from 10 at present.

Inaugural members of the programme in Northern Ireland include law firms Allen & Overy, Baker McKenzie and Pinsent Masons.

More than 100 people from over 40 businesses gathered at a celebration event hosted by Pinsent Masons in Belfast last night.

The Rainbow Project’s director John O’Doherty was among the speakers at the celebration, and was joined by Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s chief executive.

Paul Gillen and Gill Warwick from Pinsent Masons also shared their experience of creating a truly inclusive workplace and why supporting LGBT inclusion in Northern Ireland is important to them.

Mr O’Doherty said: “We’re thrilled to officially launch this partnership. We know that many employers are keen to make their workplaces welcoming of all lesbian, gay, bi and trans staff.

“Now that we’re working with Stonewall, we can make that work happen faster and dramatically increase the pace of change for LGBT people in Northern Ireland.”

Ms Hunt added: “By combining our resources, expertise and reach, Stonewall and The Rainbow Project will transform the lives of many more LGBT people in Northern Ireland.

“Employers want to get the best out of their staff and we know that people perform better when they can be themselves.

“This partnership enables us to share the expertise and skills we have developed over the past decade, and to better understand how we can support LGBT movements in places where the law is different.”

Mr Gillen, employment partner at Pinsent Masons, said: “As a founder member of the Diversity Champions programme we congratulate The Rainbow Project on the excellent work to date. LGBT and other diversity issues are impacting upon boardroom agendas today more than ever, and Northern Ireland employers have to meet those challenges.

“As the Stonewall UK Index top ranked law firm (2nd overall) we understand the depth of resource and experience they offer to organisations and see this partnership as a significant catalyst for progress.”