BASILDON-based defence equipment supplier Leonardo is marking LGBTQ+ history month by displaying a rainbow flag outside its offices to show its support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

The flag is intended as an external symbol of the work going on inside the company to attract and retain an increasingly diverse workforce.

Jane McDonald, Leonardo’s head of diversity and inclusion said: “At Leonardo, we believe true inclusion is about providing a workplace where all LGBTQ+ people can, quite simply, be themselves - accepted and supported without exception.

“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.” The firm is marking the month for the first time.