This year’s Inclusive Awards winners were revealed at an event held in Manchester on 1 December, hosted by television Presenter and journalist Naga Munchetty.
Making a welcome return as a live event after a three-year break due to Covid restrictions, the Inclusive Awards, organised by Inclusive Companies, shines a spotlight on workplace inclusion and rewards UK organisations and individuals for harnessing a truly diverse workforce, and recognises those that excel in their commitment to equality and inclusion across all strands of diversity.
Alongside announcing the Inclusive Award winners, Paul Sesay, CEO of Inclusive Companies, also revealed the 2022/23 Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers (IT50) List and launched the first-ever Diversity Power List.
“It’s an absolute honour to host the Inclusive Awards and a privilege to meet these inspiring individuals and businesses who have gone above and beyond to improve the lives of others in their workplace and community,” stated Naga Munchetty. “I would like to congratulate all the finalists and winners and also thank them for stepping up their diversity and inclusion practices: I hope their success encourages many others to follow their example.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF FOSTERING INCLUSION
“I am delighted to see the Inclusive Awards event return and it’s humbling to see so many talented, diverse and inclusive organisations and individuals in one room,” said Paul Sesay, CEO and Founder of the Inclusive Awards.
Diversity and inclusion are “hugely important but never more so than during difficult times”, added Sesay. The last few years have seen unprecedented challenges for organisations and employees: first, the Covid-19 lockdowns, which disbanded work communities and impacted how organisations functioned and delivered their services. Now employers and employees are facing a cost-of-living crisis, political and economic turmoil. Despite these massive distractions for businesses, I would urge employers to recognise that the talent of a diverse workforce is more valuable and important than ever. Fostering an inclusive working environment can bring business benefits and provide a market advantage, not to mention a stronger sense of community to help weather whatever storms lie ahead.”
2022/23 INCLUSIVE AWARDS WINNERS
Entries to the eight categories were assessed by an esteemed panel of 20 judges from diverse cultural and business backgrounds. This year’s winners include:
- Head of Diversity & Inclusion Award – Janet Tidmarsh, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Whitbread
- Chief Executive of the Year Award – Caroline Frankum, Global CEO, Kantar Profiles
- D&I Consultancy of the Year Award – Shape Talent
- D&I Tech Initiative Award – Barclays Chief Technology Office D&I Initiatives
- Inclusive Culture Initiative Award – United Utilities
- Outstanding Diversity Network Awards – HSBC Balance UK employee resource group
- Social Mobility Project Award – University of Sunderland: We Care
- Diversity Team of the Year Award – West Midlands Police Diversity & Inclusion Team
“This Award highlights the excellent achievements of Heads of Diversity & Inclusion who have shown leadership, commitment and motivation – driving the diversity agenda throughout a company and the wider community,” said Janet Tidmarsh, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Whitbread, after receiving the Head of Diversity & Inclusion Award.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Commenting on receiving the Chief Executive of the Year Award, Caroline Frankum, Global CEO of Kantar Profiles, said: “This Award applauds Chief Executives who have shown personal commitment to the diversity and inclusion agenda, valuing the diversity of their employees and leading their organisation to become an inclusive employer.”
2022/23 TOP 50 INCLUSIVE UK EMPLOYERS
As in previous years, Paul Sesay took the opportunity of the Inclusive Awards event to reveal the 2022/23 Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List.
The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List is now in its seventh year and shows the 50 most inclusive companies in the UK as chosen by a dedicated panel of judges, based on each organisation’s performance in a range of areas within the diversity arena. This year, West Midlands Fire Service topped the list followed by Capgemini UK and Touchstone in second and third place respectively. This year’s top 50 (in order of ranking) include:
1 – West Midlands Fire Service
2 – CapGemini
3 – Touchstone Support
4 – West Midlands Police
5 – Bupa
6 – UK Power Networks
7 – Royal Orthopaedic Hospitals NHS Trust
8 – ASOS
9 – Hastings Group
10 – Yorkshire Building Society
11 – United Utililies
12 – Financial Services Compensation Scheme
13 – West Midlands Combined Authority
14 – Allianz Holdings
15 – E.ON UK Plc
16 – Kantar
17 – Mitie
18 – Anglo American
19 – Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service
20 – Direct Line Group
21 – Auto Trader Group
22 – Wiltshire Police
23 – TransUnion
24 –West Yorkshire Police
25 – Cheshire Constabulary
26 – Government Commercial Organisation
27 – TalkTalk
28 – Humberside Police
29 – Reach Plc
30 – Rolls Royce
31 – St Gemma’s Hospice
32 – Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
33 –Moneysupermarket Group
34 – Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
35 – Northumbria Police
36 – Lincolnshire Police
37 – Novuna
38 – Derbyshire Constabulary
39 – Blake Morgan LLP
40 – QA Ltd
41 – Midland Heart
42 – Canon
43 – MSD
44 – Southern Water
45 – Inspire North
46 – Police Now
47 –The Open University
48 – CGI
49 – Crown Commercial Organisation
50 – NielsenIQ
INSPIRING DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
“I am immensely proud of the work we’re doing to promote and celebrate diversity and inclusion in the UK,” added Sesay. “The Awards are a fantastic way to celebrate all the good work being done and provide the perfect backdrop to announce the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List and the new Diversity Power List. Together, they illustrate incredible vision, talent and dedication from individuals and organisations and across all strands of diversity which I hope will empower, inspire and encourage many others in the year to come.”
He also introduced the first-ever, brand new Diversity Power List – a definitive, honours-style list of the most innovative and inspirational diverse people in the UK. From athletes to actors, business leaders to entrepreneurs, famous faces to unsung community heroes, the list includes people from all walks of life showing outstanding bravery and dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion. Click here to read more.
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The UK honours the top 50 diversity and inclusion champions in the inaugural Diversity Power List. Click here to continue reading.
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