Banking firm Barclays will receive an award tonight as the Top Employer in Scotland for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff.

The award comes from Stonewall, Britain’s leading lesbian, gay and bisexual rights campaign as is based on Barclays being the highest placed Scottish employer on Stonewall’s top 100 Workplace Equality Index which was released last month.

Any employer can enter the index which assesses a range of key indicators including a staff satisfaction survey of over 7,500 lesbian, gay and bisexual employees.

In total, seven Scottish employers made it into the top 100 index. Of these the second highest placed is Lloyds Banking Group and the Royal Bank of Scotland comes third. Clydesdale Bank is awarded the Scottish Network Group of the Year. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is named as the most improved Scottish Employer.

Other high performing Scottish employers include the Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service.

Full results of the 2012 Stonewall Scotland Top Employers list will be announced tonight (9 February) at a ceremony hosted at Clydesdale Bank.

Colin Macfarlane, director of Stonewall Scotland said: ‘We’re delighted that seven Scottish organisations made the top 100 guide of best gay-friendly employers in Britain.

‘In a labour market when competition for talent is stronger than ever before, the top Scottish employers featured in our guide have recognised the importance of sending a clear signal to staff, customers and to service users that they recognise that people perform better when they can be themselves. At a time when we need to ensure that Scotland utilises all its talent to ensure a strong and viable economy this has never been more important.’

Mark McLane, head of global diversity and inclusion of Barclays, said: ‘This recognition continues to affirm Barclays commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our partnership with Stonewall has been a vital enabler for our Spectrum Diversity Network in providing the resources essential in positioning Barclays as an employer of choice for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and ally community.’

And Antony Jenkins, chief executive of Barclays Retail and Business Banking, added: ‘I firmly believe that we can only build a great business if we have talented people from all backgrounds contributing to our team at Barclays. That is why I'm thrilled that Stonewall has recognised our inclusive working environment for lesbian, gay and bisexual people; and that we have been rated as the top financial services company in the UK.’

The news has also been welcomed by the company’s gay staff group.

Richard Clarke, co-chair of Barclays Spectrum network, concluded: ‘This is fantastic news that recognises the great work that has been undertaken across the firm to support LGB colleagues and customers. It would not have been possible, without the support and dedication of both our members, and of our friends and allies, within the Spectrum network.’

And despite being a runner up to their fellow bank, Arthur Willett, HR director of Clydesdale Bank was pleased their own position on the index had improved.

‘These results demonstrate how important diversity is for our people and our business,’ he said. ‘The hard work and positive approach of our network group has resulted in a richly deserved award and we are extremely proud. We are privileged to be asked to host the launch event and look forward to sharing our success with colleagues and other diversity champions of Stonewall.’

And Catherine Dyer, crown agent at COPFS said: ‘We are delighted to have been recognised as the top performing public sector organisation in Scotland.

‘Becoming more knowledgeable about concerns that affect the LGBT community, showing our support with particular issues LGBT people face in Scotland today and ensuring confidence in the criminal justice system is vital for our organisation. Not just for the benefit of our employees' well-being, but also so that we can provide the best possible prosecution service to the wider public in Scotland.

‘Stonewall Scotland has provided invaluable assistance and practical advice to help us achieve our goal of getting into the Top 100 this year and we look forward to working together and delivering further improvements over future years.’