A BROMSGROVE-based fostering agency has been recognised for its commitment to diversity with a prestigious award.

Gay rights charity Stonewall has held its Midlands Workplace Equality Index Awards 2014, and honoured Core Assets Fostering with an award.

The agency, based at Saxon Business Park in Hanbury Road, was named the West Midlands Top Performer, receiving particular praise in this year’s Stonewall index for its community engagement.

Core Assets has also had a presence at a host of pride events held in the past year, as it continues to try and attract foster carers from the lesbian, gay and bisexual community, challenging misconceptions about fostering not being a viable option for them.

The event celebrated the success of diversity champions across the Midlands as part of the 2014 Workplace Equality Index, in which Core Assets achieved a top 100 place for a fourth year in succession earlier this year.

Stuart Bray, equality, diversity and inclusion business partner at Core Assets, received the award and spoke about the group’s commitment to equality and diversity.

He said: “I am very honoured to pick up this award on behalf of Core Assets, especially in our 20th anniversary year.

“We are proud to have been in the Stonewall Top 100 list for four successive years now and to be named the top performer in the West Midlands is a real tribute to our commitment to our lesbian, gay and bisexual employees and service users .

“Throughout the journey of Core Assets from its humble beginnings around a kitchen table in Bromsgrove to being the internationally renowned children’s services organisation it is today, the founders have never ignored the importance of diversity and inclusion."

“We will not rest on our laurels and we aim to continue improving."