FIVE Pembrokeshire firms have been honoured for putting equality, diversity and good employment practice at the heart of their businesses.

The businesses were Park House Court Nursing Home, Pembrokshire Tourism, Apple Blossom Cleaning Servcies, Ashmole and Co, and Marlowe Child and Family Services.

They were among 31 Welsh employers recognised as exemplar employers under the EU-backed Evolve programme, run by Chwarae Teg - the body which works to create an economy in which women can achieve and prosper.

The Evolve programme helps small and medium-sized businesses to develop diverse workforces, based on equality, flexibility and learning.

The newly recognised Exemplar Employers were presented with their awards by the deputy minister for skills and technology Ken Skates during a special ceremony at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.

Pembrokeshire Tourism chief executive Maudie Hughes said: “It's great to see that the work we've been undertaking to deliver diversity, flexibility and equality within our work place has been recognised.

“The exemplar employer award further supports our commitment to our approach both within the workplace and more broadly with our members as well.”

The award is part of Chwarae Teg’s £12.5m European Social Fund and the Welsh Government-funded Agile Nation project.

Chwarae Teg chief executive Joy Kent said: “These employers recognise the real value that comes from putting equality and diversity at the heart of what they do.

“There is a strong business case for adopting this approach because it has been shown to improve productivity and make enterprises more sustainable.”

To find out more information about the Exemplar Employer Awards visit www.agilenation.co.uk/exemplar-employer/.