Associated British Ports , the UK’s largest port operator, will be joining the nationwide ‘Positively Purple’campaign by illuminating iconic buildings across its estate in purple, to mark the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

With ports across England, Scotland and Wales, ABP will be lighting up buildings in all of its regions, across eight separate locations. ABP colleagues and local residents will be able to see the following buildings light up in purple on Sunday: Immingham Dock Office, Hull Port House, Queen Alexandra House in Cardiff, Old Custom House in Ipswich, the Ferry Terminal at the Port of Plymouth, Ocean Gate at the Port of Southampton, a silo at the Port of King’s Lynn and the Port Office in Garston.

ABP is an employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion as well as promoting opportunities for colleagues regardless of their personal characteristics. It will be participating in this annual event for the fourth time, as it wishes to celebrate the efforts of all persons living with visible or invisible disabilities who play a key role in contributing positively to UK society.

Alison Rumsey, ABP’s Chief HR Officer, said: “Inclusivity is important to us at ABP and we would like to ensure that colleagues feel confident to bring their whole and authentic selves to work every day. If we are able to overcome the barriers that may prevent them from reaching their full potential, whether these are related to hidden or visible disabilities, both businesses and wider society can make huge gains as we unleash the creative power of having diverse voices and ideas.

“To help us on this journey, we are a proud member of the Business Disability Forum and the Global Sunflower Network, both of which help educate employees on hidden and visible disabilities, so that we can identify and remove workplace barriers for persons living with disability.”

In 2020, during the global Covid-19 pandemic, ABP set up its first employee-led diversity networks. Since then, they have worked to raise awareness of issues and bring ideas and solutions that enable ABP to be a more diverse, inclusive and open organisation. There are currently four diversity networks which provide safe spaces for colleagues to support each other and raise awareness around issues which may affect them at work.

These include a Disability and Mental Health network, ‘Ability’, Gender network, ‘ABP GEN’, Faith, Religion and Ethnicity network, ‘FREE’ and a LGBTQ+ network, ‘ABP Pride’. Since its launch, the ‘Ability’ diversity network has helped to build awareness around mental health and disability issues across the business. This includes ensuring a module on Mental Health Awareness is included in ABP’s milestone in-house Health & Safety training for all colleagues, supporting #PurpleLightUp and running annual communication campaigns for Mental Health Awareness Week.