• High scores especially in the categories "Visibility and communication" and "Legal framework and regulations".

• An important role: the strong internal employee network METRO Pride

METRO AG has been recognised for its comprehensive commitment to employees from the LGBTIQ+ community and has been awarded the PRIDE Champion Gold Employer Seal. The award, presented by the UHLALA- Group, one of the leading LGBTIQ+ social enterprises, acknowledges the open and appreciative corporate culture of the company in which homophobia and transphobia have no place. Based on a comprehensive audit by independent auditors, LGBTIQ+ friendly companies are certified, METRO AG is participating for the first time.

"LGBTIQ+ diversity is part of the DNA of our corporate culture. We are proud to have received the PRIDE Champion Gold Employer Seal for METRO AG after an intensive LGBTIQ+ audit. It underlines how important it is to us that our working world at METRO is and remains unreservedly colorful", said a delighted Andrea Euenheim, CHRO and Labour Director of METRO AG. The award once again acknowledges METRO’s open and inclusive corporate culture. Diversity among employees, suppliers and different customer groups enables innovation. The basis for this is a successful diversity management that offers equal opportunities and an appreciative environment to all talents, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation. Respect and tolerance are key, and managers playa particularly crucial role in this regard – an open and inclusive management style is not only the basic prerequisite, but also central for an open and inclusive culture. This has now also been confirmed by independent auditors as part of the PRIDE Champion audit.

METRO scored particularly well in the categories "Behavioral principles and instructions for action" and "Visibility and communication". Protection against discrimination, for example, is part of METRO’s business principles to which its business partners also commit. An important point of contact for all LGBTIQ+ employees as well as for interested parties and supporters is the internal employee network METRO Pride, which was founded in 2014. The basic idea: sexual orientation or identity should not be a restriction, neither in private life nor at work. Every individual should be able to stand up for themselves at work – without fear. METRO Pride organises regular events to raise awareness of the issue within METRO and develops targeted training programs for managers. The network is currently being rolled out internationally with regional groups being formed to promote the interests of the

LGBTIQ+ community against other cultural backgrounds. METRO also addresses other aspects of diversity – such as gender, nationality, sexual orientation and identity, disability, ethnicity, religion or age – with various initiatives and activities. These range from training sessions and workshops on specific topics, to employee networks, international collaboration such as with the LEAD Network, and local awareness campaigns.

The PRIDE Champion Employer Seal recognises companies and organisations that are champions in LGBTIQ+ diversity. After an online audit and feedback session, companies that have achieved at least 60% of the points receive the PRIDE Champion Silver seal and companies that have achieved at least 80% of the points receive the PRIDE Champion Gold seal. They thus demonstrate their open, inclusive and appreciative corporate or organisational culture towards LGBTIQ+. More information at www.pride-champion.de.