SOUTHAMPTON engineering firm Leonardo is displaying a rainbow flag outside its site to show its support for the LGBT community and as symbol of its aim to attract and retain an increasingly diverse workforce.

The UK celebrates LGBT History Month each February. This year Leonardo is marking the month for the first time across its UK sites with a programme of initiatives including LGBT roadshows, Lunchtime Learner sessions, and the creation of an LGBT network at Southampton, Edinburgh, Luton, Basildon and Yeovil.

Jane McDonald, Leonardo’s head of diversity and inclusion, said: “We know inclusion is not a given and we take that seriously. Employing a rich mix of people means you considerably widen the skills base, with individuals who bring fresh perspectives to innovation and engineering. An atmosphere of mutual respect means colleagues can bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.”