Images: In August 2024, we celebrated diversity with, among other things, a family day at our headquarters, a canal tour and talks.

When Copenhagen gets decked out in all the colours of the rainbow in August, Danske Bank will once again be among Copenhagen Pride’s official sponsors. Ever since the partnership was paused in 2023, Danske Bank and Copenhagen Pride have had an open and constructive dialogue about how best to resume the collaboration.

Together with Copenhagen Pride, Danske Bank has been actively spreading the message about the importance of LGBTQ+ rights since 2016, when the first Danske Bank colleagues jointly participated.

“For the past 30 years, Copenhagen Pride has played an invaluable role in promoting LGBTQ+ rights and creating necessary visibility both in Denmark and internationally. Their efforts have helped pave the way for a society where diversity, inclusion and openness are not only fundamental values, but also key rights that guarantee everyone the right to dignity and equal opportunity.

Pride week has long been an important focal point for all employees with LGBTQ+ backgrounds at Danske Bank and our many allied colleagues. We are therefore both proud and pleased to have contributed to establishing a new and close collaboration that will focus on this important agenda together with Copenhagen Pride,” says Kristian Gulbech Haugbolle, chair of the Danske Bank Rainbow Network – one of Denmark’s oldest and largest employee networks working to promote inclusion and support LGBTQ+ employees and allies at Danske Bank.

Undiminished efforts for LGBTQ+ rights over the years
The partnership with Copenhagen Pride underscores Danske Bank’s continuous focus on diversity and inclusion as a driver of both employee well-being and the development of a strong culture.

During the period when not an official partner, Danske Bank’s efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion remained undiminished, with multiple initiatives launched to secure equal opportunity for all. These included the development of a strong DE&I policy, close collaboration with leaders and employees to embed DE&I in all business units, as well as the integration of DE&I into HR processes such as recruitment, and talent and leader development.

In addition, Danske Bank has focused on strengthening gender diversity among management and promoting an inclusive culture in which LGBTQ+ employees and allies, among others, feel valued. Training in psychological safety and unconscious bias has also been offered to support responsible leadership and diversity across the organisation.

“Creating the framework for an open and diverse organisation where all colleagues feel welcome, valued and free to be themselves is vital for Danske Bank. We work actively to promote a community and culture where all employees can freely express themselves. Diversity and inclusion are key values for us and fundamental to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive and realise their potential. The partnership with Copenhagen Pride is therefore an important manifestation of our support for LGBTQ+ rights and our ambition to create an inclusive and diverse workplace,” says Susanne Bjerre Mortensen, Head of HR and DE&I at Danske Bank.

As part of the partnership, Danske Bank will also participate in Copenhagen Pride’s Volunteer Programme through Time2Give, where employees can contribute as volunteers.

The partnership also means that Danske Bank will be an official participant in the Pride parade on 15 August and at many of the events that Copenhagen Pride holds during Pride Week and throughout the year.

“We are incredibly pleased to welcome Danske Bank back as an official partner in 2026. The bank’s commitment and support are important for our continued focus on what Pride is about – the right to be who you are and to celebrate freedom and diversity. We look forward a strong collaboration and to celebrating Pride with Danske Bank’s employees and all of Denmark,” concludes Benjamin Hansen, chair of Copenhagen Pride.

The partnership agreement between Danske Bank and Copenhagen Pride runs until February 2027 and provides the bank the opportunity to contribute with content and visibility on Copenhagen Pride’s and Danske Bank's platforms.