Three UK named in The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2023


  • First time inclusion on prestigious list for Three UK
  • Demonstrates commitment to addressing gender inequality in the workplace

29 June 2023 – Three UK today announces it has been listed as one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2023 for its commitment to addressing gender inequalities in the workplace.

The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality (formerly The Times Top 50 Employers for Women), run by Business in the Community (BITC), is the UK’s most highly profiled and well-established listing of employers taking action and making gender equality a key part of their business strategy; at all levels.

Three UK were assessed on the work they do to remove gender inequalities in the workplace, from flexible working to family friendly policies to pay, reward, and progression at work. This comes on the back of successfully narrowing its gender pay gap in 2022, due to the focus on improving the gender balance across leadership roles and continued efforts to ensure pay decisions are fair and consistent. The business has introduced new recruitment guidelines and processes such as encouraging diverse interview panels and gender decoded job adverts; enhanced existing propositions to support employees through life journeys and made a commitment to pay Living Wage Foundation rates to all employees, which particularly impacts retail customer advisors the most, 43% of whom are women.

BITC has been running The Times Top 50 for 13 years. Their gender equality work focuses on equality for all genders and those who do not identify as a gender. They acknowledge that while progress has been made, gender inequalities are still very prevalent in UK workplaces today, especially in times of economic disruption, such as the aftermath of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.

Robert Finnegan, CEO for Three UK, said: “I am delighted that Three UK features in this highly esteemed listing, which shows that we are taking meaningful action to address gender inequality. We know there is more work to be done, but we’re committed to reaching our target of 50/50 gender split in leadership roles.  I know the value that a more diverse workforce can bring to our business,  that’s why we’re continuing to invest and dedicate to finding the right people to help us achieve this. This is a well-deserved accolade for all of the hard work and dedication that everyone is making to ensure gender equality is a key priority for our business.”

Mary Macleod, Chief Executive at Business in the Community said: “We know that when women succeed, the UK succeeds, enabling our communities and planet to thrive. Three UK is one of the companies leading the way in building a culture where women can reach their full potential by showing real commitment to addressing gender inequalities in the workplace.”

About Three

Three launched in 2003 as the UK’s first 3G only network, laying its foundations as the network that was born to be different. Today Three is a connectivity company that connects people to people, people to things and things to things and has 1o.3 million customers.

Our network today covers 99% of the UK population and we carry 29% of the UK’s mobile data traffic.

Three launched 5G in August 2019, is the largest holder of spectrum in the UK and has been recognised by Ookla as having the UK’s fastest 5G network. It is the only operator able to meet the International Telecoms Union (ITU) 2020 standard of 100MHz of contiguous spectrum for full 5G services.

Three UK is a proud partner of Samaritans, where it will use the strength of its network and technology to connect 1 million people to emotional support.

Three Best Wholesale Partner at the Mobile Industry Awards and Host Operator of the Year at MVNO World Congress.

Three UK is part of the CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd group of companies which has mobile operations in 11 countries. We employ more than 4,800 people across our offices in Reading and Glasgow and our 297 retail stores.

About Business in the Community 

Business in the Community is the UK’s largest and most influential responsible business network dedicated to building a fairer and greener world together, supported by His Majesty the King for over 40 years. We inspire, engage and challenge purposeful leaders to take practical action to mobilise their collective strength as a force for good in society

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