West Ham United has been awarded the Premier League’s Equality Standard Advanced level, recognising the Club’s ongoing dedication and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Following a rigorous and in-depth assessment by an independent panel, focusing on evidence of equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of the Club and its charitable Foundation, the Premier League concluded that the Hammers had made fantastic progress since earning the Intermediate level of the award back in 2018, taking into account the culture, policies, leadership and people, along with the work done to encourage people from all communities to participate in Club activities.

Vice-chairman Karren Brady said: “This is an extremely proud and momentous day for West Ham United. The Club, aided fantastically by our superb staff, has truly embedded this strong approach to EDI at its heart and I’m so pleased that this has been recognised with the Premier League’s highest possible accolade.

“The scale of our work is something the Board is particularly proud of and something we want to continue to build on and improve.

“We understand that holding the Advanced Level now places an even greater responsibility on the Club in our goal to become an equity leader.

“We commit to continue listening to staff, fans and the industry, always reflecting on our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion, and going further than we already do.”

Bill Bush, executive director of the Premier League, said: “West Ham United have demonstrated a commitment to inclusive practices that has enabled them to achieve the Premier League Equality Standard Advanced Level.

“Their continued support for fans and communities through their flagship programme, the Players’ Project, is just one of the exemplary activities that has led to them receiving this accolade.

“We look forward to continuing our work with all at the Club to ensure that equality continues to run through everything they do.”

On behalf of the panel and the summary of their findings, Garth Crooks, chair of the Premier League Equality Standard, said: “The Panel noted that the Club has made consistent progress since 2018 and that this has been accelerated since then by the leadership of the vice-chair, the Board and senior staff.

“Leadership from the top is vital and this was evident to the Panel. It commends the Club on its open reflection on the challenges it faces and appreciated the presentation that summed up the EDI work at the Club.

“The panel was struck by the scale of the EDI work, in particular, the clear ownership of the EDI agenda by the Vice-Chair, Board and CEO, the development of the women’s game, the Advantage programme, the Players’ Project, the work on diabetes prevention and links to the NHS, the Apprenticeship programme, the Secret Shoppers exercise and the Holiday Hunger programme.

“In addition, they noted the value of listening around the Black Lives Matter movement and the impact this had on staff.

“Clearly, we are all working against a backdrop of real uncertainty and while this is a period like no other, the Panel welcomed the Club’s work to support staff and others with their positive mental health and wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We wish West Ham United staff well and congratulate the Club on attaining the Advanced level. The Club should be proud of its achievements. It has developed an EDI framework to make positive change.”