Albion's equality, diversity and inclusion work has been recognised with a national award at the end-of-season Football Business Awards
The club took the gold award at the gala dinner in London for its important and positive work in this area, led by the club's head of people and culture Rose Read and supported by EDI manager Sarah Gould and Paul Callander, the club’s LGBTQ+ network lead.
Rose said, "We always want our club to be as inclusive and as welcoming as possible for everyone, on the pitch, in the stands and across all our touch points in the local, national and global community and our staff from Brighton & Hove Albion and Albion in the Community have done an amazing job in bringing that to the fore.
"It's an honour to be recognised in this area and we are thrilled to have demonstrated some amazing examples of how this work really does make a difference at Brighton & Hove Albion.
"Our hard work to attain the Premier League's gold standard in this area has underpinned everything we do, across all areas of the club and charity, to the point it is ingrained in our culture here, and truly aligns with our five core values to act with integrity, treat people well, exceed expectations, aim high and make it special."
Among the new initiatives introduced this season and showcased as part of the club's submission for the award was an LGBTQ+ Ally pledge scheme for fans; the education of staff and participants in inclusive, non-binary language; an active LGBTQ+ internal network of staff and Allies; promotion of jobs in the LGBTQ+ community through City Angels and LGBTQjobs.co.uk; and gender identity and LGBTQ+ awareness training for staff.
The club continues to be a major sponsor of Pride and has strengthened its links with the city’s Ledward Centre and the Rainbow Hub.
Albion also won silver in the Sustainability Award while Paul Barber was named Chief Executive of the Season. The club were also shortlisted in the Best Fan Engagement category.