The British Diversity Awards 2025, proudly sponsored by LSEG, have officially revealed this year’s exceptional finalists – individuals and organisations redefining the standards for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the UK.
Recognised as one of the most prestigious platforms for promoting inclusivity, these awards spotlight those who are not just talking about change but are actively driving it. In a world grappling with rising intolerance and polarisation, the British Diversity Awards serve as a rallying cry for progress and unity.
The awards’ organisers stress the urgency of their mission: “At a time when societal divisions are widening, and minorities are increasingly targeted, it is more important than ever to champion DEI. Equality, respect, and inclusion should be non-negotiable rights for everyone – but achieving this requires commitment, resilience and leadership, which our finalists embody year after year.”
DIVERSE TEAMS & INCLUSIVE PLAYERS
As the UK faces significant challenges around equity and representation, the finalists for the 2025 British Diversity Awards stand as a testament to the power of perseverance and innovation in the DEI space. These changemakers are not only creating inclusive workplaces but are also fostering environments where everyone – regardless of background, identity, or ability – feels valued and empowered to thrive.
Diversity is no longer just a buzzword in corporate boardrooms; it’s a proven driver of success, creativity and growth. The British Diversity Awards highlight the critical role that diverse teams and inclusive cultures play in building resilient organisations and communities.
By celebrating those who work tirelessly to break down barriers, these awards inspire others to follow their lead. They also serve as a reminder that progress doesn’t happen by chance – it requires bold leadership, unwavering determination, and a collective commitment to building a better future.
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY
The 2025 finalists represent a wide spectrum of industries, from business and tech to education and the non-profit sector. Each nominee has demonstrated a transformative impact – whether by implementing innovative DEI strategies, driving systemic change, or amplifying underrepresented voices.
These trailblazers remind us that celebrating diversity is not just about acknowledging differences but about building bridges, fostering understanding, and empowering everyone to reach their full potential.
SHORTLISTED FINALISTS
Here are the shortlisted finalists, by category:
Outstanding Ability Network of the Year, sponsored by Allianz Commercial
- Neuroinclusive Network, ARC (Advanced Research Clusters)
- DiversAbility, Avanade
- Capita Ability Network, Capita
- Ability Network, CBRE UK
- Connected Disability Action Network, Cisco
- Enable, Clifford Chance
- Disability Confidence Network (DCN UK), GSK
- Empower, Haleon
- Ability UK, HSBC UK
- Enabled, Mace
- Enable Network, Nationwide Building Society
- Disabled Staff Network, University of Wolverhampton
Head of Diversity of the Year, sponsored by Amazon
- Jo Dooley, A&O Shearman
- Marie-Helene Tyack, Allianz Commercial
- Paul Modley, AMS
- Sheena Amin‑Liebman, Avalere Health
- Gemma Webb, Barratt Redrow
- James Brandon, CBRE UK
- Fiona Pargeter, Chanel
- Ceira Thom, John Lewis Partnership
- Florence Henderson, Moody’s
- Sophie Robson, Sky UK Ltd
- Nisha Marwaha, Virgin Media O2
- Dean Lloyd, Watson Farley & Williams
Social Mobility Initiative of the Year, sponsored by AMS
- City Century
- Ada and King Partnership, Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, and King
- Social Mobility Initiatives, Amey
- Mentivity, Avanade
- Opening Doors at CBRE, CBRE UK
- BEGIN, Digital Boost
- Future Leaders Initiatives, Kearney
- Socio-economic Mobility (SEM) Network Initiatives, Legal & General Group
- Operations-to-Software Engineering Internal Mobility Programme, Leonardo
- Grid for Good: National Grid Social Mobility Programme, National Grid
- Black Girls in Property, The Land Collective
- Shine Programme, Wincanton
Outstanding Employee Network of the Year, sponsored by Atlanta
- Insurance Families Network
- Unity Group, Amey
- Carers@AXA, AXA UK
- BBC Enigma, BBC
- Carers Network, Centrica
- Working Parents Network, John Lewis Partnership
- Neurodiversity Network, Kingfisher plc
- UPbringing, KPMG UK
- Lockton Ignite, Lockton
- Scotiabank Europe Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee, Scotiabank
Hero of the Year, sponsored by Boots
- Aneesah Latkan, Capgemini
- Kabir Alam, HSBC UK
- Sasha Covington, JLL
- Sachin Patel, John Lewis Partnership
- Giovanna Cavaliere, Johnson Matthey plc
- Christina Taylor, KPMG UK
- David Hynam, LV=
- Amandip Jheeta, NTT DATA INC
- Rico Jacob Chace, The B Team
- Phillipa Nicholson, The neurodiversity Career Coach
- Nick Johnson, Virgin Atlantic
- Tea Colaianni, WiHTL & Diversity in Retail
Diversity in Tech (Specific to Disability), sponsored by BT Group
- Accessercise
- Snap Finger Click
- Diversability & Digital Skills, Amey
- Optimising Accessibility Programme, Colt Technology Services
- HSBC Empathy Box, HSBC UK
- Accessible Vehicle Club, Mobility Vehicle Hire Ltd
- GENIUS (Generating Neuro-Inclusive Selection) Project, Sammi-Select
- Spread Young Wings Coding Programme, Skylarks Charity
- Passenger Assistance, Transreport
- WeWALK Smart Cane 2, WeWALK Limited UK
HR Diversity Champion of the Year, sponsored by CBRE
- Francisca Beloso, Alvarez & Marsal
- Karen Taylor, Amazon
- Rachael Brown, Amey
- Emily Warren, Avanade
- Deborah Lee, Compass Group
- Neil Basterfield, DXC Technology
- Shemeleah Berry, Entain
- Ruth Badmus, Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South
- Martyn Worsley, Lockton
- Stephen Edmondson, Royal National Institute of Blind People
- Myra Cooke, The Rank Group plc
- Angela Walsh, UnitedHealth Group
Community Project of the Year, sponsored by Centrica
- Move You In Packs, Amey
- #ProjectSwish, Basketball England
- REACH Mentoring Programme, Browne Jacobson
- Speak Up Sing Out, Elton John AIDS Foundation
- Disability Awareness, Hedleys College – Percy Hedley Foundation
- Silent Voices, Hull College
- Refugee Women Mentorship Programme, Johnson Matthey plc
- MSA Sisterhood, Muslimah Sports Association
- Empowering Communities: Increasing Diversity in Northwest London’s Health Research, National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration Northwest London’s (NIHR ARC NWL) Ethnicity and Health Unit
- Tomorrow Meets Today, Pareto Facilities Management Ltd
Inspirational Role Model of the Year, sponsored by DHL EXPRESS
- Jim Ford, A&O Shearman
- Sharon Sharples, Barclays
- Melanie Seymour, BlackRock
- Ian Taylor, Booker
- Kat Parsons, Centrica
- Jill Leflour, Deutsche Bank
- Lin Yue, Goldman Sachs
- Ben Waring, Leonardo
- Charlene McIntosh, Macquarie
- Vishal Desai, MS Amlin
- Hannah Constantine, Smiths Group Plc
- Xavier White, Verizon
Diversity Ambassador of the Year
- Emma Charlton, Amey
- Roisin Keenan, BAE Systems
- Satvir Bungar, BDO LLP
- Leng Montgomery, Burberry
- Tokeer Ahmed, Capgemini
- Joanne Austin, HSBC
- Kristopher Banks, HSBC UK
- Gabriella Falco, KPMG UK
- Matt Measor, Monzo Bank
- Silan Celik, National Grid
- Victoria Chan, Santander UK
- Bernadette Samuel, Virgin Media O2
Diversity Team of the Year, sponsored by Haleon
- Amazon Logistics DEI Team, UK+IE, Amazon
- AMS Talent Lab, AMS
- Inclusion & Diversity Team, British Airways
- BTS REN Team, Capgemini
- EDI & Communications Team, England & Wales Cricket Board
- HMP Rye Hill Diversity Team, G4S
- EDI Employee Committee, Gi Group
- Global Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Team, Johnson Matthey plc
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team, Manchester Metropolitan University
- CFO Diversity Champions, National Grid
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Team, National Grid
- Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Team, Sky UK LTD
- Swiss Re UK DEI Council, Swiss Re
Outstanding LGBTQIA Network of the Year, sponsored by HSBC Innovation Banking
- Pride Network, BT Group
- Proud Network, CBRE UK
- dbPride UKI, Deutsche Bank
- LGBT+ and Friends, E.ON
- Spectrum UK, GSK
- Proud Network, Kearney
- L&GBT+Allies Network, Legal & General Group
- Proud to Be, Mitie
- Pride at Pandora, Pandora UK
- OPEN (Out Pfizer Employee Network), Pfizer
- PRIDE Europe, Scotiabank
- SN Pride, Springer Nature Group
Diversity Champion of the Year, sponsored by Leathwaite
- Barry Pettitt, Avanade
- Waseem Malik, Aviva UKGI
- Jack Wiseman-White, Blake Morgan LLP
- Kalela Mwenya, Clifford Chance
- Prasad Hattikudur, Deutsche Bank
- Lauren McNeal, Gi Group
- David Ziyambi, Latham & Watkins
- Ramyani Basu, Kearney
- Colin Kimber, Pareto Facilities Management Ltd
- Leonora Daniel, UBS
- Dr Serufusa Sekidde, ViiV Healthcare/GSK
Charity or Not-For-Profit of the Year, sponsored by Legal & General
- Association of Accessible Employers
- Codebar
- Diversity Role Models
- Future Leaders UK
- Give Your Best
- Rethink Mental Illness
- SameYou
- Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence
- Skylarks Charity
- Women Empowering Defence
Athlete Powering Positive Change, sponsored by Lockton & UK Sport
- Greg Rutherford MBE
- Sir Mo Farah
- Marcus Rashford MBE
- Orlan Jackman, Basketball England
- Alice Dearing, Black Swimming Association
- Ruth Mwandumba, British Shooting
- Shaunagh Brown, Centrica
- Andy Sharpes, England Touch Rugby
- Eartha Pond, ESP Foundation
- Darcy Bourne, Raising Her Game
- Cindy Ngamba, Refugee Olympic Team
- Asha Philip, The Athlete Gateway
Global Diversity Initiative of the Year, sponsored by LSEG
- Neurodiversity Toolkit, Avanade
- Inclusion Circles, Capgemini
- Allyship in Action programme, Colt Technology Services
- Supplier Diversity Programme, Haleon
- Health Inclusivity Initiative, Haleon
- 25by2025, IATA
- Global DI&B Platinum Event Series, Johnson Matthey plc
- Kearney Launchpad, Kearney
- Together. Stronger. Campaign, Kingfisher plc
- GBM Propel Programme, Scotiabank
- Inclusive Leadership Training Phase 1 & 2, Sky UK LTD
- Smiths Veterans ERG Global Initiatives, Smiths Group Plc
Company of the Year, sponsored by National Grid
- Browne Jacobson
- Centrica
- DWP Digital
- First Direct
- Gi Group
- Haleon
- Kearney
- Monzo Bank
- Ocado Technology
- Primark
- Sky UK LTD
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Outstanding Women’s Network of the Year
- ABP GEN, Associated British Ports
- Women’s Network, CBRE UK
- Women’s Network, CGI
- Women+@Colt, Colt Technology Services
- Women’s Network, EDF Energy
- Women@Entain, Entain
- Gender ERG, HSBC Innovation Banking
- WINTech, LSEG
- Balance, LV=
- Women at Mace (WAM), Mace
- Women@Mercer, Mercer Ltd
- Women in Non-Traditional Roles (WiNTR), National Grid
- Gender Network, NatWest Group
- Women’s Business Network, NTT DATA INC
- Women in Technology, Ocado Group
- RISE, VML
Outstanding Ethnicity Network of the Year, sponsored by Paramount
- Bank of England Ethnic Minorities (BEEM) Network, Bank of England
- Race and Equality Network (REN), Capgemini
- Racial Equity ERG, HSBC Innovation Banking
- HSBC Muslim ERG, HSBC UK
- Hispanic/Latino Organisation for Leadership & Advancement (HOLA), Johnson Matthey plc
- League of Employees of African Descent (LEAD) – UK Chapter, MSD
- REACH Network, Santander UK
- Savills Ethnicity Group, Savills UK
- SN Black Employee Network (BEN), Springer Nature Group
- Cultural Awareness Network EMEA, UBS
- Enrich Network, Virgin Media O2
- WBD Reach, Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
Media Champion of the Year
- Charlene White
- Chris McCausland
- Eddie Marsan
- Ian Wright OBE
- Jimmy Akingbola
- Kate Garraway MBE
- Katie Piper OBE
- Roman Kemp
- Romesh Ranganathan
- Stacey Solomon
- Tasha Ghouri
- Tom Daley OBE
Lifetime Achievement, sponsored by PaddyPower Betfair
This category is not shortlisted; the winner will be announced at the event.
AWARDS CEREMONY
The awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 19th March, at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London. Click here for more information.
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