Factors rated when choosing the winners included: implementation and results of equality plans, establishment of procedures and criteria for periodic evaluation of those plans, positive discrimination to actively enhance equal opportunities, organisation models and corporate social responsibility policies.

This award validates FCC's equality and diversity policies, implemented as a strategic initiative of the Group's Human Resources department, with a view to promoting employees' professional development and performance while assuring equal opportunities and advancing effective equality.

FCC is one of the ten Ibex 35 companies whose equality policies have been recognised by the Spanish government. Last year, subsidiary Aqualia was among the first companies to receive an award in this area. Both distinctions serve as a stimulus to further efforts in the area of equality, which has long had the solid support of the company's core shareholder, Esther Koplowitz.

The equality policies are being set out and implemented, through horizontal and specific actions and special programmes, by the Equality and Diversity Management team, which is composed of the persons responsible for equality in each business area.