Travis Perkins Hire, which is part of Travis Perkins plc and is the UK’s largest distributor of materials to the construction sector, won an award recognising its diversity and inclusion initiatives at the Hire Awards of Excellence.

The judging panel recognised Travis Perkins Hire for demonstrating a commitment to raise awareness of diversity and inclusion within its own business and beyond, in the building sector industry.

It recognised the culture, colleague networks and initiatives that have been put in place, with the use of compelling marketing campaigns to shine a spotlight on big topics that have helped to educate, drive awareness and inspire change inside and outside the business.

Daniel Lowans, Managing Director of Travis Perkins Hire says: “At Travis Perkins Hire we are continually fostering a working environment where everyone feels like they belong, and this is central to our family values. We want everyone to feel safe, welcome and confident to be their best selves. Our vision and ambition is to be an industry-leading inclusive and diverse employer so to win this award is a great recognition of that.

“We want to shift the thinking in our sector. The diversity of our workforce is key to achieving this, so that we attract new capabilities and perspectives, sustain growth, evolve and innovate for the future.  We are making it our job to take a leadership role.”

As an integral part of the wider construction industry Travis Perkins Hire shares the nationwide challenge that construction has long been seen as a non-diverse sector with an ageing population. Women make up only 14% of the national workforce, those from an ethnic minority background are less than 6%, and the average age in the sector is over 45.

The award was collected by Daniel Lowans, Managing Director of Travis Perkins Hire at the ceremony at Grosvenor House in London.