The Inclusive Companies Awards Announce 2019 Shortlist!

Inclusive Employers and Diversity Champions 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 November 28th, the Inclusive Companies Awards will once again celebrate those who go above and beyond the call of duty to improve the lives of others in workplaces and communities around them.

This elite pick and mix of diversity ambassadors will gather in Manchester at The Hilton Manchester Deansgate – reuniting a spectacular array of equality leaders.

A panel of judges including Jennifer Thomas – Direct Line Group, Bijna K. Dasani – Lloyds Banking Group, and Christos Tsaprounis – Auto Trader UK, recently gathered to finalise the widely anticipated shortlist. The full list of finalists are as follows:

Champion of Inclusion: Sue Vincent-Jones, Ben Morrin, Liz Johnson, John Amaechi OBE, Sue Liburd MBE, Carol Ann Whitehead FRSA, Jane Hatton, Kelly-Ann Fonderson

Head of Diversity & Inclusion: Dawn Moore, Paul Deemer, Rishi Jain, Alex Lawrence, Naheed Nazir, Mark Lomas, Rachel Williams, Heidi Woodhouse

Mentor/Sponsor of the Year: Ian Cook, Prof Dr. Doirean Wilson, Errol Lawson, Christine Ondimu, Sam Cooper-Gray, Shrenik Sanghrajka, Nickala Torkington, Craig Pinkney

Chief Executive of the Year: Paul Hamer, Caroline Wayman, Deborah Cadman OBE, Christopher Kenna, Angela Murphy, Mark Cowlard, Neil Conway, Paul Hamer

Consultancy of the Year: EW Group, LGBT Great, BAME Recruitment, The Ability People, Charlotte Sweeney Associates, Utopia, Nova Reid Diversity Consultancy, Skills 4 LTD

Diverse Marketing Campaign of the Year:  West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service – International Women’s Day, The Royal Air Force – No Room for Clichés, Mothercare – Body Proud Mums, Holland & Barrett – Me.No.Pause, Channel 4 – Ad Break Takeover, Changing Places Campaign, Manchester United – HATRED initiative, McCain – We are Family

Best Diversity Resource: House of Lords – Inclusion Passport, Green Park, E.ON – Inclusive Culture Initiative, Diversity & Ability Ltd, Building Equality – LGBT+ Inclusion Toolbox Talk and Poster Campaign, Auto Trader UK – Becoming Autism Friendly, Skills 4 LTD – Career Development Programme for Women, Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure – Diversity & Inclusion Strategy

Outstanding Diversity Network: Embrace – Financial Ombudsman Service, Proud@WMAS LGBT Network, LGBT+ Network – Clarion Housing Group, Disability. Advocacy. Wellbeing. Network (DAWN) – HMPPS, Deloitte Multicultural Network, Embrace Network – Santander, UHMB Disability Staff Network, PRISM – Welsh Government LGBTI+ Staff

Lifetime Achiever: John Amaechi OBE, Amanda Kirby, Deborah Williams, Lisa Pinney MBE, Nitin Palan MBE, Professor Udy Archibong MBE, Binna Kandola, Alison Lowe

The Inclusive Companies Awards are also working in partnership with the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers. The first and only index of its kind, the definitive list of the nation’s most inclusive companies will be unveiled at the ceremony with top ranking organisations receiving accolades for the Diverse Company Award within their respective sectors.

With the increasing richness of diversity in Britain, the Inclusive Companies Awards recognise employers that unite workforces and challenge discrimination, applauding those for their fight against inequality.

Christos Tsaprounis, Head of People & Culture, Auto Trader UK said;

“The Inclusive Companies Awards celebrate the remarkable achievements of individuals and organisations across a wide spectrum of diversity. I am excited to join the judging panel this year and find out about the brilliant work being done and help recognise the progress made to create working environments that enable everybody to thrive”

Alison Lowe, CEO of Touchstone, the UK’s most inclusive employer said;

Diversity is not just something employers ought to do; it is something we must do if we are to recruit and retain the best staff and maintain an edge on the competition. The Inclusive Companies Awards celebrate the best in great diversity and inclusion practice whilst also recognising those special employers who go that extra mile to make their staff feel engaged. The awards also showcase individuals who have led on inclusion – often without thanks or understanding of the many barriers people might face. I am delighted to be a judge once again for these prestigious awards and am looking forward to honouring those whose selfless devotion to fairness and justice sets them apart.”

Paul Sesay, CEO and Founder of the Inclusive Companies Awards and National Diversity Awards, added;

“In difficult and challenging times, using the talent of a diverse workforce is more important than ever. Considering the diversity of your workforce and fostering an inclusive working environment can bring business benefits and provide a market advantage.” Sesay continues, “The Inclusive Companies Awards continue to be an exceptional way to celebrate the courageous actions of individuals and organisations, who are already striving for inclusion. Let’s celebrate the tremendous feats of our incredible shortlisted nominees, Congratulations to all!”

There is no doubt that the impact made by this prominent array of diversity patrons is unprecedented. Winners will be announced at The Hilton Manchester Deansgate on 28th November.

To view the full list of shortlisted nominees, please visit: www.inclusivecompanies.co.uk/awards/shortlist