We are committed to ensuring we have an inclusive workplace culture that offers the respect, training and opportunities to succeed. Luke tells us why the LGBT+ role models at Enterprise are important to him and have made him feel certain that he will have a long and successful career with us.
Name:
Luke Raggett
What is your role at Enterprise:
Assistant Branch Manager in Andover
Interesting fact:
I swam for Junior GBR when I was 14 and have also sung alongside Susan Boyle.
Why do you enjoy working for Enterprise?
There are so many things I enjoy at Enterprise. My work colleagues are like my best friends, I enjoy coming into work knowing I will be working alongside some great people. Also, they host lots of diversity events which creates such a positive and welcoming environment; I’ve always felt included. The career opportunities are great as well because of their promote from within culture.
How does Enterprise support LGBT+ employees and allies?
Enterprise regularly host LGBT+ diversity events and diversity training seminars, which raise awareness of the issues that the community face and to help our LGBT+ employees feel included. They also help our straight allies to be able to give support to their LGBT+ colleagues. There is also just employee acceptance of LGBT+ on a day-to-day basis. I have never experienced or witnessed any negative behaviour towards anyone because acceptance is just a part of our culture.
Tell us a little bit about your career with Enterprise. How did you start and how did you get to where you are now?
I started with Enterprise as a Management Trainee and within 10 months, I was promoted to my first Assistant Manager role to the Winchester branch. I then got a sideways promotion to Assistant Manager in Salisbury and I recently had another sideways promotion to Assistant Manager at Andover.
Did you feel you needed to come out to your colleagues? How did they react?
I didn’t feel I needed to come out to my colleagues, however, since the beginning of the job application process I was always open about being gay and shared who I am as an individual.
What has been your experience with being out? Have you ever had a particularly bad or good experience because of your sexual orientation at work?
I have never had a bad experience with Enterprise for being gay, everyone has welcomed me with open arms and fully accepted who I am.
Who are your LGBT role models in business? Who do you look up to? How have they helped you?
My main LGBT role model within Enterprise would be Ashley Hever, the Talent Acquisition Director for the UK and Ireland. He was the first openly gay person to become a director within the company and I think it’s fantastic what he has achieved with Enterprise. I have been very fortunate to have met him at a National Student Pride Event and he has always welcomed me to get in touch if I ever required any support, assistance or advice. This is really important for me because I’m just starting out in my career with Enterprise and it’s great to know that there is someone like me in a Director position, so there is nothing stopping me from progressing and that just motivates me even more. It also means that I know that I have someone I can rely on to always be there when I need support or guidance and that brings me so much comfort.
What is the *one* thing that Enterprise does that ensures we work in a diverse and inclusive workplace?
I feel Enterprise’s whole recruitment process ensures we work in a diverse and inclusive workplace. From our recruitment website with a page all about diversity and inclusion initiatives to the interviews, I always felt like my sexuality was never a problem. I felt extremely comfortable straight away in my first telephone interview that I wouldn’t be judged for being gay.
What changes/improvements would you like to make within Enterprise in order to make us a more diverse and inclusive workplace?
I really am not sure what else Enterprise could do. However, it would be cool to get involved in more Corporate Events around LGBT+ and diversity.
If reading this has left you wanting to find out more, then take a look at our fantastic Graduate Management Trainee programme.