With this week being celebrated by TransPennine Express (TPE) as its first “TPE Week of Inclusion”, one of its employees based in Manchester has had their story told.

The Week of Inclusion is the company’s way of celebrating diversity and embracing the individuality of its employees and customers. Luke Gardner, a Timetable Development and Delivery Manager who has worked for the company for 12 years outlined his inspiring story in a video.

Luke was nervous about how his sexuality would play out within the company when he joined TransPennine Express, but despite his initial concerns, he soon discovered that it was supportive of the LGBTQ+ community and encourages employees to be themselves every day.

Luke’s story comes follows the unveiling of TPE’s Nova 1 ‘Unity’ train, which features the latest Pride Progress flag, which the company hopes will be a beacon of hope for many diverse communities through which the train will travel across northern England and Scotland.

TransPennine Express aims to create a welcoming environment for all customers and colleagues and believes that equality and inclusion are for everyone.

Over nine per cent of its employees identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual or other sexualities, which is a far higher percentage than the three per cent for England and Wales revealed by the latest census.

As part of the week, TransPennine Express also announced it had entered a partnership with The Proud Trust, which is an LGBT+ youth charity that empowers young people to be proud of who they are.

Luke said: “Every day you find yourself in moments where you must come out to new people, colleagues and friends. It’s nerve-wracking joining a new job, but TPE made me feel so welcome and embraced my sexuality.

“We have a fantastic LGBTQ+ networking group to help support members of the community who work at TPE, and it’s fantastic to see members progress through the ranks to managerial positions, showing that whatever your sexuality, nothing can hold you back.”

Harriet Harbidge, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at TransPennine Express, said: “We’re so excited to celebrate our first Week of Inclusion and highlight some of the incredible colleagues we have, such as Luke, who make a real difference to TPE.

“Launching the ‘Unity Train’ was a perfect way to kickstart the week. Speaking to our LGBTQ+ network group we know how important it is to our colleagues and the communities we serve, that this train is now in service.”

Lisa Harvey Nebil, CEO of The Proud Trust, said: “Seeing the ‘Unity Train’ in all its glory fills myself and our team with huge pride and we can’t wait for the LGBT+ community to see the train as it travels throughout the North.