Category: Press Release

The Excellence in Diversity Awards Announce 2016 Shortlist!

Diversity Champions and Inclusive Employers shortlisted for Pioneering Diversity Awards

Throughout the year, there are some individuals who work tirelessly to remove barriers and put diversity at the very heart of everything they do.

This year, on May 12th, The Excellence in Diversity Awards will once again celebrate those who go above and beyond the call of duty to improve the lives of others in their communities and workplaces around them.

Thomson Reuters are just one of the brands supporting a sky fall of inclusive talent – diversity champions, inclusive employers and pioneering campaigns from all aspects of diversity have been shortlisted for this year’s ceremony.

An overwhelming amount of nominations were received paying tribute to inspirational individuals and diverse companies nationwide, that have showcased their incredible achievements to the equality agenda.

This elite pick and mix of diversity ambassadors will gather in Leeds at The Queens Hotel – reuniting a spectacular array of equality leaders.

A panel of judges including Andy woodfield PwC, Miranda Wayland ITV, and Dianah Worman OBE gathered to finalise the widely anticipated shortlist. The full list of finalists are as follows:

Diverse Company Charity: Touchstone, Action for Children, St Mungo’s Broadway, Disability Equality North West, Family Mosaic

Diverse Company Education: The University of Manchester, The University of East London, The University of Aberdeen, Royal Holloway, University of London, Manchester Metropolitan University

Diverse Company Housing: Orbit Group, Merlin Housing, London & Quadrant Housing Trust, RCT Homes, Trust Housing Association

Diverse Company Private: British Airways, Simmons & Simmons, Allianz, Connect Group, Asda, Thomson Reuters

Diverse Company Public: Leeds & York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Air Force, Transport for London, South Wales Police, Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Diversity Champion Charity: Wendy O’Carroll – Ups and Downs, Sarah Ismail – Same Difference, Maurice Ostro OBE – Collaboration House, Christine Locke – Diversity House, Mohammed Zafran – All 4 Youth & Community CIC

Diversity Champion Education: Benjamin Ackim – Sports City London Ltd , Neil Coad – Weston College, Shaun Dellenty – Inclusion for All, Anna Kennedy OBE – AnnaKennedyOnline, Rev. Chris Howson – The University of Sunderland

Diversity Champion Housing: Tim Seward – Circle Housing Group, Brenda Metcalfe – Anchor, Tim Sigsworth – The Albert Kennedy Trust, Graham Welch – London and Quadrant Housing Trust, Paul Doyle – London Housing Trust

Diversity Champion Private: Dean Ridgewell – Empiric, Joanna Abeyie – Shine Media, Claudine Adeyemi – Mishcon de Reya LLP, Victoria Silverman – Thomson Reuters, Fay Sharpe – Zibrant

Diversity Champion Public: Shirley Farthing – St Andrew’s Healthcare, Megan Key – National Probation Service, Ellie Ablett MBE – Royal Navy, Tara Hewitt – University Hospital South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Chief Superintendent Kerrin Smith – Durham Constabulary

Head of Diversity & Inclusion: Marcel Vige – Mind, Siobhan Corria – Action for Children, Janet Hill CBE – UK Civil Service, Jiten Patel – The Open University, Sarah Maskell MBE – Royal Air Force

Employee of the Year: Emma Jones – Big Lottery Fund, Modupe Adefala – Mitie, Katie Shaw – Asda, Gary Zetter – Mitie, Katie Whittam – Big Lottery Fund

Diverse Marketing Campaign of the Year: Transport for London – 100 Years of Women in Transport, Freedom To Donate Campaign, Bolton CVS – Breastfeeding Friendly Bolton Campaign, EDF Energy – Pretty Curious Campaign, Scope – End The Awkward Campaign

Best Diversity Resource: PwC, Aspiring Solicitors, Talent Media, HMRC, Bernard Matthews

Outstanding Diversity Network: Mott MacDonald Advance Network, L&Q Spectrum Network, Dell’s MARC (Men Advocating Real Change) Network, Legal Aid Agency Diversity Champions Network, Warwickshire Police & West Mercia Police Diversity Delivery Group

Lifetime Achiever: Professor Uduak Archibong MBE, Karin Woodley, Ann Norris, Brenda King MBE, Kevin Bowsher

The exclusive awards ceremony will applaud the extraordinary contributions of those that have gone above and beyond their corporate social responsibility, tackling issues internally and externally to influence change in the field of equality and diversity

Paul Sesay, Founder and CEO of the Excellence in Diversity Awards said “There is still so much to change and fight for, but the Excellence in Diversity Awards continue to be an exceptional way to celebrate the courageous actions of individuals, companies and organisations, who are already striving for inclusion. Let’s celebrate the tremendous feats of our incredible shortlisted nominees, Congratulations to all!”

The event is definitely one to mark down on your calendar and provides recognition for excellence regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, faith, religion and culture.

ITV News Presenter Charlene White will take to the stage to host the evening, stating “It’s an absolute pleasure to be presenting The Excellence in Diversity Awards this year. I’ve worked alongside many organisations over the years with the aim of improving the level of diverse faces and talent in our workplaces. So it’s great to be part of the awards. Congratulations to all of this year’s shortlisted nominees, I look forward to meeting and celebrating you on the night!”

CIPD, PwC and ITV are amongst those supporting the campaign to reward organisations that operate across all aspects of diversity.

There is no doubt that the impact made by this prominent array of diversity patrons is unprecedented. Winners will be announced at The Queens Hotel Leeds on May 12th 2016.

To view a full list of nominees please CLICK HERE

March 21, 2016
A Time to Celebrate Diversity

Diversity and inclusion is what drives innovation and change within many companies; and one award ceremony that rewards companies for this is The Excellence in Diversity Awards.

Nominations are open once again after the roaring success of this year’s ceremony, highlighting diverse employers that have an ethos of inclusion, significantly at senior and board room level.

Throughout the year, there are individuals who work relentlessly, often without thanks and on small budgets, to put diversity at the heart of everything they do. From raising awareness of Mental health issues, developing BME community driven strategies, and addressing gender imbalances in today’s workplace, EiDA shortlisted nominees really are in a league of their own.

With a melting pot of flavours, Britain is home to countless individuals who have shown strength in the face of adversity, determination against all odds, and have come out fighting for those in society who need our help and support.

Shortlisted nominees and winners ranged from Educational institutes and Housing organisations, right through to Police Forces and Charities. HSBC Balance Network, The Open University, Gentoo and Centro were amongst those who accepted accolades this year for their phenomenal accomplishments in the diversity arena.

Asda’s very own Damian Kitson, recipient of the 2015 Employee of the Year Award, recently reflected on his achievements. “I have been open about suffering from Mental Illness earlier in my career and to be able to share the evening with those colleagues, friends and my wife who supported me in getting back to my best, was truly special. It will be an evening I will never forget”.

An emotional Damian was applauded at the ceremony for helping to remove the public stigma of mental health. “This award has done two things. It has given me the confidence to know what we are doing is right. It has also been a positive momentum within Asda and will be a real spring board to further drive the difference we are making in the space of Disability, both visible and invisible.”

Sarah Churchman was honoured with the Head of Diversity and Inclusion Award for her remarkable work at PwC. 14 years ago, Sarah, recognising the need for PwC to focus on diversity and inclusion, established the first D&I team from scratch and has developed it into its current format of a team of 6 covering the UK. Hailed for tirelessly driving and shaping the diversity and inclusion agenda at PwC, Sarah has fundamentally shifted the firms focus from equality to diversity to inclusion.

Under Sarah’s leadership, PwC has implemented a series of activities, including sponsorship of Breakthrough – their organisational development programme supporting talented women, establishing PwC’s Diversity Council of senior partners, and the introduction of diversity and bias awareness training.

HSBC’s Balance Network accepted the diversity honour for the Outstanding Diversity Network Award, commended for driving HSBC’s diversity & inclusion aim to increase senior female representation.

Their vision to support the recruitment, development, advancement and engagement of a gender-balanced workforce within HSBC has been exemplary. The impact and rapid growth of Balance lead to a network boasting 2,073 members in the UK, and 30 branches worldwide.

Balance was applauded at the ceremony for being ‘different’. When defining and designing Balance and how it was intended to make a difference, it was strongly felt that traditional “women’s networks” were not necessarily the right approach to impact gender diversity, and that to make a difference, both men and women had to be included from the start.

Balance’s pioneering approach set out to impact gender diversity, appealing to and including both men and women equally. This has had the effect of generating interest and support from key groups of stakeholders that are often disenfranchised with a traditional women’s network.

Layla Mullins, Co-Chair of HSBC Balance UK, said “Having gone from one small branch in 2010 to over 30 worldwide, we have made a huge advancement, making a difference to the gender diversity agenda across our global business.

This award is one of our top achievements and I think it’s a great help to emphasise the importance of the work our committee of volunteers does. It has given us some genuine leverage to be at the table for some really important conversations. It has definitely lifted up our profile”.

In a fractured society, during troubled times and with austerity biting us from behind, the need for diverse practice becomes ever more important. The law defines a host of so called protected characteristics. But, ultimately, inclusion affects us all. By excluding people because of their identity or background we lose skills. We lose talent. And we lose productivity and profit.

Mark Shrimpton, Equality Advisor for Disability Rights UK and Disability Member of the First-tier Tribunal at UK Ministry of Justice, added “Significant numbers of firms are practising inclusion as a routine event and are reaping the rewards. They are leaders in their field – not the diversity pitch, but the business stadia in which they play, and win. They are capturing the diverse talents of the wonderful population of Great Britain and becoming more competitive as a result. The EiDA’s are a supreme opportunity to celebrate and market this work. I urge you nominate your EiDA champions and promote your excellence.”

Judges also include equality activists such as Andy Woodfield, Partner at PwC, and Dianah Worman, CIPD’s Diversity Champion.

Nominations have re-opened for the 2016 ceremony, due to be held on 12th May, at The Queens Hotel, Leeds. Award categories include Diverse Company, Diversity Champion, Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Employee of the Year, Outstanding Diversity Network, Best Diversity Resource, Marketing Campaign of the Year, and Lifetime Achiever.

To nominate please click here

October 7, 2015

The National Diversity Awards Announce 2015 Shortlist

Diversity Heroes shortlisted for UK’s Largest Diversity Awards

Charities and Role Models from across the UK will gather at the breathtaking Anglican Cathedral on September 18th 2015 for The National Diversity Awards.

The Best of British Diversity will flock to Liverpool to celebrate the outstanding achievements of those who have demonstrated their devotion to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion in today’s society.

Over 20,000 nominations and votes were received this year, paying tribute to grass root communities nationwide.

The full list of shortlisted nominees are as follows:

Positive Role Models for Age

Adnan Davod	Bilal Awan	Elly Barnes	Jake Watts
Nadia Clarke	Louise Liddle-McGhee	Rebecca Parkin	Tunji Akintokun

Positive Role Models for Disability

Jonathan Andrews	Monique Craine	Oliver Hellowell	Suzie Jones
Simon Green	Sam Cleasby	Nicola Miles-Wildin	Christopher Malpas

Positive Role Models for Gender

Polly Harrar	Debra Searle MBE	Natasha Goldthorpe	Shane Ryan
Sonia Bate	Cindy Edwards	Placida Acheru	Funke Abimbola

Positive Role Models for LGBT

Kathy Caton	Megan Key	Phil Forder	Samantha Truelove
Jake Graf	Sanjay Sood-Smith	Gary Zetter	Jude Woods

Positive Role Models for Race, Religion & Faith

Mike Chappell	Fred Suadwa	Indy Hothi	Phillip Leong
Myira Khan	Nathaniel Peat	Vicky Beeching	Naheed Nazir

Entrepreneurs of Excellence

Byron Cole – The BLC Group	Lina Naima – FACE4MUSIC	Justin Edgar – 104 Films Limited	Amar Latif – Traveleyes
Luke Rodgers – Foster Focus	Stephanie Wright – Sefton & Liverpool Women in Business	Craig Grimes – Experience Community CIC	Mavis Amankwah – Rich Vision

Community Organisations for Age

ACE Aspiration Creation Elevation	Active Impact	Include Me Too	Diversity Role Models
Crosshill School	Young Identity	North City Play	Tylers Trust

Community Organisations for Disability

Focus Liverpool	St Andrews Healthcare	CASPA	ChAPS
Disability Rocks	FND Hope	Anna Kennedy Online	Havering Dementia Action Alliance

Community Organisations for Gender

Asian Women Mean Business	Nyasa Daughters of Nottingham	Cervical Cancer Support Group	Saheli
Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer	Aurora New Dawn Asian Women Mean Business	JAN Trust	Muslim Womens Network UK

Community Organisations for LGBT

Broken Rainbow	Foyle Pride	Trans Men Support & Advice UK	No Going Back
Planet London	Mermaids	Manchester Lesbian & Gay Chorus	Out & Proud Diamond Group

Community Organisations for Race, Religion & Faith

Ujima Radio	3FF Three Faiths Forum	Polish Expats	Merseyside Network for Change
Nubian Jak	Hikmat Devon	ArtsEkta	UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group

Community Organisations for Multi-Strand

Leeds Beckett SU	Liverpool Homeless FC	BCfm	Darlington Independent Advice Group
Result CIC	Buddy Buddy Scheme	BollyGOOD	SELF

Diverse Companies

British Transport Police	Calico	Victim Support	West Midlands Police
Contracts IT	Royal Navy	Steve Biko Housing Association	Staffordshire & West Midlands CRC
Circle Housing	Office for National Statistics

Lifetime Achievers

Dr Neville Brown	Sally Carr	Jenny Sealey MBE	Marion Aslan
Carol Steele	Dr Nasser Siabi OBE	Caron Drucker	Liz Kelly

The prestigious black tie event is definitely one to mark down on your calendar and provides recognition for excellence regardless of race, faith, religion, gender, identity, sexual orientation, age, disability and culture.

Microsoft will be just one of the brands supporting a skyfall of diversity talent alongside Barclays, The Army, Financial Ombudsman Service, Liverpool City Council, Penna, Mouchel, MI5, PwC, ThoughtWorks, Transport for London and The Open University.

Barclays commented ‘We understand the commercial relevance of diversity and are therefore proud to sponsor the National Diversity Awards as the spirit of these awards aligns with the way we do business. We would like to congratulate all of the nominees and winners this year and wish them every success.’

TV personality Brian Dowling also expressed his delight in returning to host the ceremony, He said: ‘I am so excited to host The National Diversity Awards again! I have witnessed the awards go from strength to strength since its formation and I am always truly taken back by the humbling and uplifting stories of all the nominees and award winners. I can’t wait to get on stage for what is sure to be another extraordinary evening!’

Designed to highlight the country’s most inspirational and selfless people, the NDA’s are supported by the likes of Brian Blessed, Adam Hills and Ade Adepitan amongst many

Comedian and actor Stephen Fry said, ‘Four years on and The National Diversity Awards are continuing to have a positive impact across the whole of the UK. The awards have grown, and with it, so has the vast array of unsung diversity heroes being recognised nationwide.

It is crucial that we challenge discrimination head on, and the NDA’s unite those that dedicate their lives to the cause. Long may this continue’. He added.

Previous winners include Huddersfield based Disability Theatre Group Shabang!, Freedom Fighting Refugee Aderonke Apata, and domestic violence campaigner Karen Ingala Smith.

Winners will be announced at The National Diversity Awards 2015

TABLE BOOKINGS ARE NOW AVAILABLE HERE

July 17, 2015

Diversity Champions and Companies Recognised at UK’s Largest Diversity Awards

BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern took centre stage on 14th May to host the UK’s Largest Diversity Awards, celebrating Inclusive Employers and Diversity Champions

COMPANIES and charities were honoured nationwide at Thursday’s ceremony at The breathtaking Midland Hotel, Manchester, rewarding the best of British diversity across all UK industries.

J.P. Morgan, Thomson Reuters and Action for Children were just a few of the brands supporting a skyfall of diverse talent – Diverse Companies, Employees of the Year, Best Diversity Resources, Head’s of Diversity, Outstanding Networks, Diversity Champions, Marketing Campaigns and Lifetime Achievers.

Hundreds of endorsements were received paying tribute to those from under-represented backgrounds who have dedicated their lives to enhancing the equality agenda.

The one-of-a-kind ceremony kicked off with an inspirational speech from Activist and Campaigner, Peter Tatchell, to let the audience know why the awards were special to him. Tatchell said “It is a huge honour to be here at the Excellence in Diversity Awards, which does such outstanding work to promote, empower, profile and acknowledge organisations that are pioneering amazing initiatives on surrounding inclusion.” He added that “Diversity is the motor of creativity, and a force for social progress”. With that positive message, to spread equality to people of all diverse backgrounds, the awards started flowing.

Founder Paul Sesay welcomed guests to the exciting ceremony and discussed the importance of inclusion, and what inspired him to create the ceremony. As passionately as ever, Sesay said “Our aim is to have innovative and truly diverse award ceremonies, celebrating employers and diversity champions that excel in the field of inclusion. It is through people like you, that change can happen.” The ceremony, without a doubt, delivered on that aspiration.

After decades of supporting BME and disabled people through her organisation the Equalities National Council, Julie Charles was awarded the Lifetime Achiever Award by 5×Paralympic gold medallist Jody Cundy.

A list of tremendous achievements were recognised by judges, including Julie’s incredible feat of pioneering the only advocacy and mentoring enterprise specifically targeting BME disabled people.

Another highlight of the evening came when Reverend Fred Annin was honoured for his charitable efforts with the Diversity Champion Award. Guests were informed of Fred’s courageous efforts campaigning against HIV stigma in UK and African churches.

Evenbreak founder, Jane Hatton was awarded the Diversity Champion Award in the Private Sector for changing the way disability is viewed in the workplace, whilst Cam Kinsella from Merlin Housing Society was recognised in the housing category.

Other winners in this category included Jiten Patel in the Education category, and Lindsey Ambrose in the public category.

Groundbreaking Network HSBC Balance scooped the Outstanding Diversity Network Award, and cutting edge organisation special iApps, took home the Best Diversity Resource Award for supplying innovative apps to disabled children.

Named 2015’s Employee of the Year, Damian Kitson from Asda was hailed a perfect example of its namesake, whilst, Sarah Churchman took the gong for Head of Diversity and Inclusion, for her remarkable work at PwC.

With support from numerous cheerleaders, Youth Media Agencies National Campaign #PressChange4Youth was honoured for calling for fair press of children & young people across the UK.

Asda, Gentoo, The Open University, St Giles Trust and Centro, were all awarded the Diverse Company of the Year Award in their respective sectors.

The prestigious black-tie event has attracted a growing list of top employers including ITV, PwC and The Co-operative Group. The night was wrapped up with a brilliant performance from The Voice UK winner 2014, Jermain Jackman who performed the pick of an impressive catalogue of songs. The Excellence in Diversity Awards was a real feel good event, where each nominee had earned their right to be in attendance for their fantastic work in their specific sector.

The full list of winners are as follows:

Diverse Company Charity: St Giles Trust

Highly Commended: Creative Support

Diverse Company Education: The Open University

Highly Commended: The University of Sheffield

Diverse Company Housing: Gentoo

Highly Commended: Great Places Housing Group

Diverse Company Private: Asda

Highly Commended: Microlink PC

Diverse Company Public: Centro

Highly Commended: Transport for London

Diversity Champion Charity: Rev. Fred Annin – ActionPlus Foundation,

Highly Commended: Angela Murphy – Tomorrow’s Women Wirral

Diversity Champion Education: Jiten Patel – The Open University

Highly Commended: Shaun Dellenty – Inclusion for All

Diversity Champion Housing: Cam Kinsella – Merlin Housing Society

Highly Commended: Bob Green – Stonewall Housing

Diversity Champion Private: Jane Hatton – Evenbreak

Highly Commended: Heather Melville – RBS

Diversity Champion Public: Lindsey Ambrose – St Andrew’s Healthcare

Highly Commended: Jacqui Gavin – a:gender

Head of Diversity & Inclusion: Sarah Churchman – PwC

Highly Commended: Ricky Somal – Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust

Employee of the Year: Damian Kitson – Asda

Highly Commended: Jeanette Gagg – UK HM Prison Service

Diverse Marketing Campaign of the Year: Youth Media Agency #PressChange4Youth

Highly Commended: BBC Local Apprenticeship Scheme

Best Diversity Resource: Special iApps

Highly Commended: English Federation of Disability Sport

Outstanding Diversity Network: HSBC – Balance Network

Highly Commended: The Cooperative Group – Respect Network

Lifetime Achiever: Julie Charles

Highly Commended: John Campbell

May 19, 2015
The Excellence in Diversity Awards Announce 2015 Shortlist

Diversity Champions and Inclusive Employers Shortlisted for Pioneering Diversity Awards

J.P. Morgan are just one of the brands supporting a sky fall of inclusive talent – Diversity champions, inclusive employers and pioneering campaigns from all aspects of diversity have been shortlisted for this year’s ceremony.

An overwhelming amount of nominations were received paying tribute to inspirational individuals and diverse companies nationwide that have showcased their incredible achievements to the equality agenda

Diversity leaders and talent will gather at The Midland Hotel, Manchester on May 14th 2015 to celebrate the tremendous feats of employees and organisations.

The exclusive awards ceremony will applaud the extraordinary contributions of those that have gone above and beyond their corporate social responsibility, tackling issues internally and externally to influence change in the field of diversity & inclusion.

Baroness Campbell of Surbiton, who has continuously campaigned for disability rights most notably against the legalisation of assisted suicide, said, “If we do not champion people’s diversity in Britain, whether that be in employment, education or full access to public life, then we cannot call ourselves progressive, inclusive and successful human beings. I cannot think of anyone who would want that, but sometimes we need role models to help show us the way.

These awards will help society to understand and learn what it means to genuinely include all diverse people in our communities. To be part of that process is very important to me“.

The event is definitely one to mark down on your calendar and provides recognition for excellence regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, faith, religion and culture.

Business journalist & broadcaster Steph McGovern will take to the stage to host the evening, stating “I am delighted to be hosting the Excellence in Diversity Awards to celebrate the great work of organisations and people who are leading the way in making our country a great and inclusive place to work”

Thomson Reuters, CIPD and Action for Children are amongst those supporting the campaign to reward organisations that operate across all aspects of diversity.

A panel of judges including Andy woodfield PwC, Miranda Wayland ITV, and Dianah Worman OBE gathered to finalise the widely anticipated shortlist.

The full list of nominees are as follows:

Diverse Company Charity

Oxfam, Victim Support, Creative Support, Mind, St Giles Trust

Diverse Company Education

The City of Liverpool College, University of Sunderland, University of Manchester, University of Sheffield, The Open University

Diverse Company Housing

Liverpool Mutual Homes, mhs homes, Gentoo, Great Places Housing Group, Gateway Housing Association

Diverse Company Private

Microlink PC, Mouchel, TSSA, Asda, BAE Systems

Diverse Company Public

Greater Manchester Police, Transport for London, Centro, Lancashire Police, UK Office of National Statistics

Diversity Champion Charity

Michael McGrath – The Muscle Help Foundation, Helen Keeling-Marston – Support through Sport UK, Rev. Fred Annin – ActionPlus Foundation, Angela Murphy – Tomorrow’s Women Wirral, Bisi Alimi – Human Rights Activist

Diversity Champion Education

Shaun Dellenty – Inclusion for All, Jiten Patel – The Open University, Joanne Tedds – City & Islington College, Colin Dean – Special iApps, David Bolt – Hope University

Diversity Champion Housing

Robert Kerse – Circle Housing, Cam Kinsella – Merlin Housing Society, Sharon Thomas – Riverside, Bob Green – Stonewall Housing, Rohini Sharma Joshi – Trust Housing Association

Diversity Champion Private

Jane Hatton – Evenbreak, Heather Melville – RBS, Funke Abimbola -Roche UK, Sue Gardener – IBM, Geoffrey Williams – Thomson Reuters

Diversity Champion Public

Mark MacKenzie MBE – Transport for London, Jacqui Gavin – civil service, Lindsey Ambrose- St Andrew’s Healthcare , Joan Pons Laplana – NHS Employers, Jeanette Gagg – UK HM Prison Service

Head of Diversity & Inclusion

Jen Smith – Circle Housing, Sarah Churchman – PwC, Ricky Somal – Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Bruce Campion-Smith – East Kent Hospitals University Foundation NHS Trust, Fiona Bartels-Ellis – British Council

Employee of the Year

Jeanette Gagg – UK HM Prison Service, Damian Kitson – Asda, Apsana Begum – Tower Hamlets Homes, Andrew Barratt – Ogilvy, Graeme Whippy – Lloyds Banking Group

Diverse Marketing Campaign of the Year

BBC Local Apprenticeship Scheme, gfsn Rainbow Laces Campaign, Pride in London – Freedom too, West Midlands Police, Youth Media Agency #Press4changeYouth

Best Diversity Resource

Black British Academics, Housing Diversity Network, Special iApps, Common Purpose, English Federation of Disability Sport

Outstanding Diversity Network

HSBC – Balance Network, The Cooperative Group – Respect Network, Lloyds International – Diversity & Inclusion Network, RBS – Focussed Women Network, Ernst & young – Sikh Network

Lifetime Achiever

John Campbell, Nasser Siabi OBE, Dawn Milman-Hurst, Julie Charles, Rev. John Butcher

Winners will be announced at The Midland Hotel Manchester on May 14th 2015.

Table bookings for the Excellence in Diversity Awards are available here

March 6, 2015
The UK’s largest Diversity Awards to be televised

The UK’s only digital television channel devoted to communities will broadcast The National Diversity Awards 2014 courtesy of Sky, on Sunday 21st December at 11.00pm

Join Brian Dowling and Cerrie Burnell to celebrate the Best of British Diversity over the festive season. The glittering ceremony will be aired on Sunday 21st December at 11pm, Boxing Day at 10.00pm and 30th December at 21.00pm on The Community Channel.

Role models and charities flocked to the lush Hurlingham Club on the brink of the River Thames on September 26th, to honour Britain’s most inspirational people for their fight against inequality.

Over 21,000 nominations and votes were received this year paying tribute to grassroots communities nationwide. Microsoft were just one of the brands supporting a skyfall of diversity talent – positive role models, community organisations and businesses from the LGBT, ethnic minority, age, gender, religion and disability communities.

Big Brother star Brian Dowling expressed his delight ‘What an incredible evening! Once again The National Diversity Awards amazed me; Bringing together people from all walks of life and standing out as the equality event of the year!’

The evening was kicked off by founder of the NDA’s, Paul Sesay; Sesay discussed the importance of the National Diversity Awards and spoke about what inspired him to create the ceremony. As passionately as ever, Sesay said “It is an honour to witness the extraordinary journeys of Britain’s unsung diversity heroes, I know another fantastic spectacle of role models will be delivered and recognised this year.” The ceremony, without a doubt, delivered on that promise.

Activist and Campaigner, Peter Tatchell, a patron for the awards, then let the audience know why the awards were special to him “It is a huge honour to be a patron of the National Diversity Awards, which does such outstanding work to promote, empower, profile and acknowledge organisations that are pioneering amazing initiatives on equality and diversity issues.”

Another highlight of the evening came when Stephen Sutton MBE was honoured with the Special Recognition Award, collected by his older brother Chris Sutton. There was not a dry eye in the building as guests were reminded of Stephen’s courageous efforts in raising over £4 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust while in his fight against the disease. Stephen lost his battle with cancer earlier this year but leaves behind him a legacy which will inspire many others to do amazing things in their lives.

Campaigners Jack Monroe and Adam Pearson joined ‘The Last Leg’ comedians, Alex Brooker and Adam Hills, as well as Paralympic medallist Ade Adepitan to recognise true diversity.

Tune in at 11.00pm on Sunday 21st December to find out which nominees took home the diversity gong of the year.

The National Diversity Awards will also be aired on Boxing Day at 10.00pm and 30th December at 21.00pm on the Community Channel, which features on Sky 539, Virgin Media 233 and Freeview 63.

For updated news please visit: www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk

December 15, 2014
Baroness Campbell: ‘If we do not champion Diversity in Britain, then we cannot call ourselves inclusive’

Baroness Campbell of Surbiton joins a host of diversity leaders to launch a new awards ceremony honouring British diversity.

The widely anticipated Excellence in Diversity Awards has opened its nominations for the 2015 ceremony to recognise companies with truly inclusive workforces.

The inaugural awards, to be held at the Midland Hotel, Manchester on May 14th 2015, will make inroads towards organisers’ goal of ‘rewarding organisations that operate within all strands of diversity’.

Baroness Campbell, judge for The Excellence in Diversity Awards, has continuously campaigned for disability rights most notably against the legalisation of assisted suicide.

“If we do not champion people’s diversity in Britain, whether that be in employment, education or full access to public life, then we cannot call ourselves progressive, inclusive and successful human beings. I cannot think of anyone who would want that, but sometimes we need role models to help show us the way”.

Baroness Campbell continued “These awards will help society to understand and learn what it means to genuinely include all diverse people in our communities. To be part of that process is very important to me”.

The event is definitely one to mark down on your calendar and provides recognition for excellence regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, faith, religion and culture.

Headed by the Diversity Group and supported by the likes of J.P.Morgan, PwC and ITV amongst others, the launch of the unprecedented awards will break ground as the leading diversity awards ceremony recognising only UK companies that are committed to inclusion across the board.

Mark Shrimpton, Equality Specialist for Disability Rights UK expanded on the importance of such an awards, “Modern and thriving businesses cannot achieve without embracing diversity. Barriers to inclusion fail society, trouble shareholders and damage profits. That’s why I’m delighted to help this programme by celebrating all that’s good about the UK’s diversity practice”.

CEO Paul Sesay added, “There is still alot of work to be done on the grounds of equality, and not just in one particular strand but all strands of diversity. It is important that companies reflect the market place in which they serve, and we are delighted to showcase those that celebrate diversity throughout the whole ethos of their corporation”.

The Excellence in Diversity Awards also focus on leading diversity champions, unsung diversity heroes and extraordinary employees that have displayed motivation, innovation and commitment to inclusion.

November 6, 2014