Stonewall Workplace Equality Index has found that financial services company Ernst & Young (E&Y) is the most gay-friendly accountancy employer.
Now in its sixth year, the index was developed by lobbying group Stonewall to challenge employers to create an inclusive working environment for lesbian, gay and bisexual employees.
E&Y also ranked third overall in the national list of the top 100 employers for gay and lesbian staff, with its EYGLES network crowned as Employee Network of the Year.
E&Y UK and Ireland managing partner Scott Halliday highlighted the importance of making the company a place where all its staff "have the potential to thrive and succeed".
"To be benchmarked as one of the UK's most diverse and inclusive organisations is a huge achievement and recognises the business imperative of creating a work environment where our people are able to be themselves," he added.
The overall winner was IBM and Hampshire Constabulary was in second place in the list, which was generated from 352 submissions to the index.
In the publication of the list of employers Stonewall also revealed that its survey had revealed that almost two in five lesbian, gay or bisexual people hide their sexual orientation from their colleagues, manager or both.
