Celebrating diversity at Maersk through advocacy, allyship and leadership

Hello, my name is Richard, and here is my Maersk story from my beginnings in logistics to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) advocate.

My Beginnings at Maersk

I began my journey at Maersk with Hamburg Süd, now a Maersk company, in 2014, straight after university. At that time, I knew very little about logistics and shipping but quickly discovered I really enjoyed it. Over the years, I’ve transitioned through various roles, from working on the Ratings Desk matching bookings with prices, to sales, and am now in the Customer Experience team at Maersk, as a Continuous Improvement Partner, where I get involved with a wide range of tasks from finding efficiencies to the roll out of new systems.

What makes Maersk special

What I cherish most about Maersk is the people, particularly my team, of which there are a 14 of us, and we really get on well despite having a wide range of job roles, ranging from learning and development to subject matter experts and our control team. We support each other, creating a dynamic and supportive environment.

One of the standout qualities of Maersk is its forward-thinking approach as a company and for its people. Our ambitious target to achieve net zero by 2040 exemplifies our commitment to sustainability and innovation. It’s an enormous challenge and something we don’t necessarily have to do, but it’s something we want to do. Another example is Maersk’s extensive learning and development opportunities, with professional development plans and various resources to help colleagues grow and excel. If you want to develop your career here, you will definitely get the support you need.

Maersk Leadership and Their Commitment to DEI

I can see that Maersk truly incorporates diversity, equity, and inclusion into its culture and mindset, and the organisation embraces it at all levels. Two years ago, I shared my coming-out story on Viva Engage, our internal employee communication platform, and my Managing Director was the first to comment, underscoring the importance of DEI to our leadership. This support extends beyond just words; our leaders allocate funds and encourage participation in DEI activities.

My Role and Advocacy in ERNs

I have been actively involved with MIX (Maersk Inclusion Excellence) UKI since 2021 and have led Pride@Maersk in the UKI region since 2022, while also working with our cultural subgroup. We started small, but now we’ve grown hugely and I’m really proud of all we do recently MIX held a walking competition, to raise awareness of wellness, we had over 100 colleagues participate. For Pride, we create videos each year, including highlighting different aspects of working at Maersk as an LGBTQIA+ individual.

The Importance of Allyship

I want to emphasize that Pride (and other ERNs for that matter) are not just for those who identify as LGBTQIA+, but also for allies. Allyship is crucial, and there is a misconception that one must identify to participate in Pride or ERNs. In reality, everyone is welcome, and I hope to see even more colleagues join in our efforts. It’s not just about a core group of passionate individuals; it’s about everyone celebrating and supporting each other.

Working at Maersk has been a fulfilling journey, and I am proud to be part of a company that values inclusion, celebrates diversity, and champions DEI initiatives. Together, we can continue to create a workplace where everyone feels empowered to be their true selves.