Embracing Cultural Diversity!
Friday 19 May 2023
Join us as we celebrate the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development on 21 May. At UniCredit we are intensifying our efforts to enhance cultural and ethnic diversity within our Bank, as we recognise and value the peculiarities of all our employees across our geographies within the Group, and firmly believe that this is what accelerates innovation and creates long-term value.
Held every year on 21 May, the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development provides a valuable occasion to celebrate the richness of culture and diversity in all its forms. A time to reflect on how they represent the base for dialogue, mutual understanding, and support the social, environmental, and economic pillars of the future.
At UniCredit, we are intensifying our efforts to enhance cultural and ethnic diversity within our Bank, as we recognise and value the peculiarities of all our employees across our geographies within the Group, and firmly believe that this is what accelerates innovation and creates long-term value.
“While drinking coffee after lunch is a customary practice for most Italians, it wasn’t something I was accustomed to. So, in a way to socialise with my colleagues, I decided to adapt and began enjoying decaffeinated coffee at the end of my lunch break. Additionally, last March, together with my Bulgarian colleagues, we gifted our teams traditional Bulgarian 'martenitsa' bracelets. They loved it.”
Anton Todorov, Data Protection Compliance
“When I joined UniCredit Bulbank, I was fascinated by the strong connection its people have
with nature. On weekends, many people of all ages, from the young to the elderly, venture out to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the landscapes that surround us. I have developed a deep admiration for the warm hospitality of Bulgarians and their genuine eagerness to explore, learn, and embrace new experiences.”
Sandra Vojnovic, CFO of UniCredit Bulbank
“I was so impressed by how people in London can openly laugh at themselves, which is a stark contrast to the cultural norms I am used to in Asian culture. This has allowed me to learn how to openly talk about my weaknesses and to even make jokes about them. At the same time, I have also helped my colleagues to understand the politeness of Asian clients, and how to manage their way of making their own requests with just a 'slight hint'.”
Cai Qiao, Macro Sales London
Our extensive pan-European footprint provides us with a unique talent base, enabling us to foster diverse teams across the entire organisation. As of March 2023, the percentage of UniCredit employees coming from countries different from Italy stands at 33% for the Board of Directors, 64% for the Group Executive Committee, 44% for our Leadership Team, and 68% for our Group overall.
Furthermore, we are proud of the diverse backgrounds of our people, spanning across 13 countries and encompassing more than 126 different places of birth.
To commemorate the World Day for Cultural Diversity, we will be introducing an international food menu in our local Head offices across Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Russia, and Serbia, starting from Monday, 22 May. This menu will feature traditional dishes from various countries, symbolising our commitment to embracing cultural diversity. By sharing and savouring our unique culinary traditions, we aim to forge connections, raise awareness, facilitate mutual exchange, and celebrate the exceptional diversity within our workforce.
>>Read more about our DE&I commitments in our dedicated section