Allianz Australia has been honoured at the Australian HR Institute (AHRI) Awards, a prestigious HR awards program which celebrates business leadership and excellence in human resource practice.

Allianz was presented the Cross-Cultural Management Award in recognition for its Sustainable Employment Program, developed in partnership with Settlement Services International (SSI), which offers employment opportunities and education for refugees and migrants in Australia.

Niran Peiris, Allianz managing director, said the award is a recognition of Allianz's efforts to foster a diverse workforce.

“The Sustainable Employment Program, a first-of-its kind partnership, has attracted diverse talent into our business and forms part of our long-term diversity strategy at Allianz,” Peiris said. “We know that there is a link between organisational performance and diversity. This drives our diversity of thinking, which in turn makes us more innovative and better equipped to serve our customers. At the same time, we are providing invaluable opportunities for those who have come to Australia following dislocation from their homeland.”

Accepting the award for Allianz, Charis Martin-Ross, diversity and sustainability manager, said the program is a “life-changing initiative” that is good for the business as well as for the wider community it serves.

“While there are business benefits to driving a diverse workplace culture, this program is also about helping people reach their potential,” Martin-Ross said. “Imagine the trauma of being dislocated from your home, friends, and country and having to start again? Being able to play a small role in helping our cadets rebuild lives for themselves and their families is an honour – I can’t think of anything more important.”


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