Inclusive Companies

The National Diversity Awards Shortlist Showcase: Celebrating 15 Years of Impact
2026-07-16 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Detroit) | HSBC UK, 1 Centenary Sq, Birmingham, B1 1HQ, United Kingdom
Join us for an inspiring and unforgettable afternoon at the National Diversity Award Networking Showcase, a celebration dedicated to honouring and connecting the trailblazers and alumni of the UK’s largest diversity awards. This special gathering unites positive role models, business leaders and unsung diversity champions from across the UK to forge powerful new connections, collaborate, and drive meaningful change.
This year marks the monumental 15th anniversary of the National Diversity Awards, celebrating thousands of charities, role models, and community heroes across the UK for their devotion to enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. The crème de la crème of past and present National Diversity Award winners, shortlisted nominees, judges, and sponsors will be in attendance, serving as the perfect means to celebrate and share your stories.
What to Expect:
Inspiring Conversations: Hear from influential keynote speakers and enjoy an engaging panel discussion focused on championing change, creating impact, and driving inclusion forward.
Network with Visionary Leaders: Connect with fellow nominees, sponsors, judges, business leaders, and changemakers from diverse communities across the UK. Share ideas, stories, and opportunities to inspire meaningful change.
Celebration of Impact: Celebrate the remarkable achievements of the unsung heroes, charities, and community leaders transforming lives and shaping a more inclusive future.
Summer BBQ at HSBC UK: Weather permitting, enjoy a relaxed summer BBQ hosted by HSBC UK in their stunning outdoor event space.
HSBC Inclusion & Small Business Support: Meet HSBC UK’s Inclusion Team and Small Business Banking Team, who will be sharing expert advice and opportunities for charities, community organisations, and small businesses.
The afternoon will feature informal networking, inspiring discussions, thought-provoking speakers, and a vibrant atmosphere designed to celebrate the people and organisations making a real difference across the UK.
For further information and to register, please email info@nationaldiversityawards.co.uk

World Day for International Justice
2026-07-17

Nelson Mandela International Day
2026-07-18

Cultural Intelligence: Not optional to navigate today's complexity and change
2026-07-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Facilitated by Ritika Wadhwa.
Cultural and intergenerational differences shape how we communicate, make decisions, and build trust with colleagues and clients.
This workshop, led by Ritika Wadhwa, CEO, Founder and a leading expert in Cultural Intelligence (CQ), introduces Cultural Intelligence and shares why it is a critical skill for those working in international, internal and external client-facing, or leadership roles.
What is Cultural Intelligence?
Cultural Intelligence is the capability to work effectively across cultures and generations, enabling clearer communication, stronger collaboration, and more inclusive, high-performing teams in international environments.
What you’ll gain from the workshop

An understanding of what Cultural Intelligence is and how to navigate common challenges in cross-cultural and cross-generational collaboration
Increased awareness of your own cultural and generational preferences
Communicate more confidently and inclusively
Apply practical tools to improve collaboration and team performance
Real-life scenarios relevant to international teams

This conversation will draw upon ideas from her forthcoming book Not Optional: Applying Cultural Intelligence to Lead Through Complexity and Change, publishing October 2026.

About the facilitator
Ritika Wadhwa was born and brought up in India. She achieved an MBA in the UK and broke all barriers as an immigrant to Canada and the UK. Ritika has over 30 years’ experience working at Board level across three continents, with senior stakeholders in the public and private sectors.
Ritika is on a mission to bring inclusion and innovation to the heart of organisations, and she believes that Cultural Intelligence is the capability to do that. She is the founder and CEO of Prabhaav Global. Prabhaav means impact in Hindi and the organisation’s mission is to apply the transformational power of Cultural Intelligence for impactful leadership.
Ritika is:

A CQ Fellow
A CQ Certified Facilitator
Fellow at the Society of Leadership Fellows, Windsor Castle
Strategic Advisory Board for British Transport Police
Co-Chair for Essex Fire & Rescue Services’ Culture First Board
Advisory Board Member for Westminster Business School
Trustee and Board Director at 5% Club
Ambassador for Age Irrelevance
A sought-after keynote speaker

National Schizophrenia Awareness Day
2026-07-25

World Breastfeeding Week
2026-08-01 - 2026-08-07

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
2026-08-09

International Youth Day
2026-08-12

Rabi Al Awal
2026-08-14 - 2026-09-11
Rabi Al Awal (Islam)

Small Shifts, Big Impact: Neuroinclusion Across the Employee Lifecycle
2026-08-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Facilitated by Laura Wyatt.
Neuroinclusion often gets treated as a single initiative – a training session, a policy, or a moment of awareness. But different minds encounter friction at every stage of the employee lifecycle, from the moment someone applies to the way their development is shaped years into the role.
This session walks through the employee journey stage by stage: attraction, onboarding, performance conversations, and learning and development. At each point, we’ll look at the specific friction neurodivergent employees are likely to face, and one or two small, practical shifts that reduce it for everyone.
This isn’t about big transformation programmes or costly overhauls. It’s about small, deliberate design choices that can make a big difference.
By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

Spot where in the employee lifecycle friction for different minds is most likely to show up
Take away one or two practical actions for each stage that they can implement without a big budget or a big process change
Reframe neuroinclusion as a design question across the whole employee journey

About the facilitator
Laura Wyatt is the founder of Qualia Collective, a neuroinclusion consultancy and coaching practice working with values-led organisations and neurodivergent professionals. She’s spent over a decade in People Leadership roles, most recently building and running the people function at Oatly UK&I. She holds an MSc in Organisational Psychology and also has a neurodivergent brain of her own – so she’s lived this from the inside as well as studied it from the outside. That combination shows up in how she works: just as comfortable in the practical, day-to-day reality of running a business as she is in the psychology of why people and workplaces actually function the way they do.

Embedding Inclusion: How Mitie is Driving Meaningful EDI Change
2026-08-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Facilitated by Sim Sian & Bal King
Recognised as one of the UK’s Most Inclusive Employers, Mitie has demonstrated a strong commitment to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion across every level of the organisation. In this webinar, Sim Sian, Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, and Bal Kang, Head of People, share insights into the progress the organisation has made and the practical steps that have driven lasting change. Together, they discuss the impact of their diversity networks, the role of allyship in creating an inclusive culture, and how EDI is being embedded into business practices, leadership accountability, and the colleague experience to create meaningful and sustainable impact.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE!

About the facilitators
Sim Sian
Sim Sian is a dynamic leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) currently serving as Head of DEI for Mitie. With a strong commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces, Sim drives strategies that champion diversity, equity and belonging across all levels of the organisation.
Bringing a blend of strategic vision and practical implementation, Sim has led initiatives that enhance organisational culture, empower employees, and strengthen Mitie’s reputation as an employer of choice. Her approach combines data-driven insights, innovative programming, and collaborating leadership to create meaningful, sustainable change.
Under Sim’s leadership, Mitie has achieved significant recognition for its DEI initiatives, including awards and commendations from industry bodies and workplace inclusion organisations. Her work is credited with creating measurable impact, from enhancing employee engagement to building an inclusive workplace that celebrates diverse talent.
Sim is passionate about breaking down barriers, amplifying underrepresented voices, and ensuing that every employee feels valued and supported. Outside of their professional role, Sim is an advocate for continuous learning, mentorship and community engagement in the DEI space.

Bal Kang
Profile coming soon!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE!

Grief Awareness Day
2026-08-30

East and South East Asian Heritage month
2026-09-01 - 2026-09-30

World Alzheimer’s Month
2026-09-01 - 2026-09-30

In Conversation: Navigating the EHRC Ruling with Compassion
2026-09-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
A grounded, compassionate conversation exploring what the EHRC ruling means for workplaces, communities, and the people most affected. Rather than fueling polarisation, this session centers empathy, clarity, and practical action, giving leaders the confidence to respond with care, nuance, and integrity.

Lucian Main
Head of Partnerships at Inclusive Companies, bringing strategic insight into how organisations can navigate complex inclusion landscapes while maintaining trust, safety, and accountability.

Katie Neeves
Founder of Cool2BTrans, award-winning advocate, educator, and National Diversity Awards winner known for her powerful storytelling and ability to humanise policy impacts.

Nate Ethan Watson
Founder of TNB Connect, National Diversity Awards winner, and a leading voice on trans and non-binary inclusion, community resilience, and lived-experience-led change.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE!

What we’ll explore

EHRC ruling context — What it says, what it doesn’t, and why clarity matters.
Human impact — How policy shifts affect real people, and how leaders can respond with compassion.
Organisational responsibility — Practical steps for maintaining psychological safety, dignity, and inclusion.
Lived experience — Katie and Nate share grounded perspectives on navigating public narratives and workplace realities.
Constructive dialogue — Tools for leaders to communicate with care, reduce harm, and build trust.

Who this is for
Leaders, HR teams, staff networks, and anyone seeking a balanced, human-centred understanding of the ruling—without sensationalism, fear, or misinformation.

Why this matters
In a climate where conversations can quickly become polarised, this session offers something rare: a safe, thoughtful space to explore complexity with honesty and compassion. You’ll leave with clarity, confidence, and practical ways to support your people.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE!

International Day of Charity
2026-09-05

Inclusive Conversations: Building Confidence for Difficult Dialogue
2026-09-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Facilitated by Anna Croucher.
Creating inclusive workplaces often depends on our willingness to have honest, sometimes difficult conversations. Yet these moments can feel uncomfortable, and it’s not always clear how to approach them in a way that feels constructive and respectful.
In this one-hour session, we’ll explore the role that difficult dialogue plays in supporting inclusion, and why it can feel challenging to engage in these conversations. We’ll look at the common anxieties that show up, and how they can shape our responses in the moment.
You’ll be introduced to practical approaches to help you navigate these situations with greater confidence and clarity. This includes simple tools to stay grounded, communicate with intention, and remain open and engaged—even when the conversation feels stretched.
By the end of the session, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how to approach difficult conversations in a way that supports inclusion, alongside practical techniques you can start using straight away.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE!

About the facilitator
Anna believes everyone deserves a voice and a place at the table. An Executive Coach and Occupational Therapist with over 20 years’ experience, her career began working alongside people living with psychosis to redesign services around lived experience, inclusion, and shared decision-making.
Since then, she has coached more than 1,000 people across health, corporate, and education settings, and facilitates workshops on well-being, confidence, resilience, and inclusive leadership. Alongside her coaching and facilitation work, Anna works in Research Engagement and Inclusion, helping underserved communities to be better represented in health and social care research. She has delivered workshops for organisations including the NHS and the International Labour Organisation, supporting people to overcome self-doubt, build confidence, and thrive both personally and professionally.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE!

World Suicide Prevention Day
2026-09-10

End Digital Poverty Day
2026-09-12

World Afro Day
2026-09-15

International Equal Pay Day
2026-09-18

National Diversity Awards 2026
2026-09-18 18:15 - 23:45 | Anglican Cathedral, Church of England Cathedral of the Diocese of Liverpool, Liverpool, L1 7AZ
A prestigious black tie event, which celebrates the excellent achievements of grass-root communities that tackle the issues in today’s society, giving them recognition for their dedication and hard work.

What are the awards all about?

Celebrating its 15th year, the National Diversity Awards (NDA) continues to honour the incredible achievements of individuals, community organisations, role models, entrepreneurs, and celebrities who strive to promote diversity and inclusion in all its forms. Over the past thirteen years, the NDA has grown into a beacon of recognition, celebrating the stories and accomplishments of those who inspire change and champion equality. Our mission is to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of our communities, showcasing the power of diversity in shaping a brighter, more inclusive future. Join us in recognising and celebrating the exceptional contributions that make our world a richer, more diverse place.
Discover more at…
www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk

Yom Kippur
2026-09-20 - 2026-09-21
Yom Kippur (Judaism)

International Day of Peace
2026-09-21

Bi-Visability Day
2026-09-23

Workshop: Levelling Up Your Staff Networks
2026-09-23 12:00 - 13:30 | Online Workshop
Why This Workshop Matters
Staff networks are the heartbeat of an inclusive workplace. Whether you call them staff networks, employee resource groups, or community groups, their impact is undeniable; they drive culture change, amplify underrepresented voices, and strengthen employee engagement.
But leading a network isn’t simple. Many leaders balance full‑time roles, emotional labour, and the pressure to “get it right” for their communities. This workshop is designed to give them the tools, clarity, and confidence to thrive.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

What You’ll Gain
Throughout 2026, Inclusive Companies has been delivering workshops that equip network leaders with:

Coaching and facilitation skills

Confidence‑building techniques

Leadership development tools

Sustainable ways of working

This session brings those insights together to help you strengthen your network’s impact and your own leadership practice.

Who Should Attend
This workshop is ideal for:

Staff network and ERG leads

Committee members and volunteers

Inclusion champions

HR and EDI professionals supporting networks

Whether you’re newly stepping into a leadership role or looking to refresh your approach, this session will meet you where you are.

What to Expect
Across 90 minutes, participants will explore:

The evolving role of staff networks in 2026 and beyond

Practical strategies for sustainable leadership

Tools to support confidence, clarity, and community impact

Space to reflect, share, and learn with peers

Expect an energising, supportive, and practical session that centres on real-world challenges and actionable solutions.

Why Inclusive Companies
We believe in investing in the people who give their time to make a difference. Our workshops are designed to empower leaders, strengthen communities, and create workplaces where everyone can thrive.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Sukkot
2026-09-25
Sukkot (Judaism)

Holding Purpose When the World Pushes Back
2026-09-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Facilitated by Lisa Shoko.
Organisations are navigating a period of profound change. Political polarisation, anti-DEI backlash, economic uncertainty, workforce pressures, technological disruption, and increasing scrutiny of equity initiatives have created a challenging environment for those leading Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism (IDEA) work.
Traditional approaches to organisational change often assume stability and predictability. Yet many leaders and practitioners now find themselves operating in environments that are increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous, brittle, anxious, non-linear and at times incomprehensible.
This session explores how the concepts of VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) and BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-Linear and Incomprehensible) can help us understand the challenges facing IDEA work today.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE!

About the Facilitator
Lisa Shoko is a senior leader in anti-racism, equity and organisational change with extensive experience supporting healthcare organisations to address inequity through governance, leadership, workforce improvement and cultural transformation. As Anti-Racism Programme Lead at University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, she leads work to embed anti-racism across organisational systems, decision-making and accountability structures.
Lisa facilitates strategic discussions with boards, executive teams and system partners, helping organisations strengthen accountability, improve staff and patient outcomes, and deliver sustainable change. She is known for creating environments where people can engage honestly with complex issues while remaining focused on practical outcomes. Her approach combines strategic thinking, evidence, lived experience and a strong understanding of how organisations create and sustain change.
Alongside her NHS role, Lisa holds regional leadership responsibilities as Deputy Chair for the C&M EDI Network and the Chair of the Liverpool City Region Race Equality Panel and contributes to national conversations on race equity, leadership and system change, bringing a practical and evidence-informed perspective to improving outcomes for staff, patients and communities.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE!

International Day of Older Persons
2026-10-01

ADHD Awareness Month
2026-10-01 - 2026-10-31
