The UK celebrated its national diversity champions on Friday 15 September at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. The 12th National Diversity Awards 2023 rewarded those in the community who have made an immensely positive impact on other people’s lives.
An independent panel of judges selected 120 finalists from a whopping 90,000 nominations across the UK. From supporting charities, to fighting for workers’ rights and campaigning for equity, the nominees all strive to combat injustice and discrimination.
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY HEROES
The Lifetime Achiever Award went to Dr Amo Raju OBE DL, the long-serving and award-winning CEO of Disability Direct. As author of ‘Walk Like a Man’ and helping to generate £28m in grants, his life-long dedication to people with disabilities has transformed thousands of lives.
“I never fail to be amazed by the sheer brilliance of our nominees,” shared Paul Sesay, CEO of Inclusive Companies and Founder of the National Diversity Awards. “This evening signifies a huge pool of talent, commitment, community spirit and not a little bravery from right across the UK. It is a privilege and honour to be able to recognise charities, role models and community heroes by showcasing their incredible, selfless and tireless contributions to our society.”
Broadcaster, presenter, journalist and author Clare Balding CBE hosted this year’s awards. “I was thrilled to host the National Diversity Awards and give everyone the chance to celebrate the substantial achievements of our fabulously diverse community across a whole range of businesses, charities and individuals,” stated Balding. “It shines a very bright spotlight on those who make the world a better place for the full rainbow of society.”
CELEBRITY OF THE YEAR
Other celebrity awards presenters included actor/comedian Richard Blackwood and reality TV star Katie Price. They all praised the nominees for their staggering achievements.
British TV personality and model Christine McGuinness received the Celebrity of the Year honour for her extensive autism awareness work. After being diagnosed with autism in 2021, she made a documentary that followed her personal journey of living with autism. In ‘Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism’, she shares how the disorder has impacted her life from a young age. She also discusses her three children’s autism and meets others who feel isolated because of their diagnosis.
RAISING AUTISM AWARENESS
“I am honoured to receive the celebrity of the year award,” said McGuinness. “I have attended and supported the National Diversity Awards every year and am always amazed by the incredible people and charities being recognised for their selfless work. To receive an accolade for raising autism awareness means the world to me and will give me the drive to continue using my voice to make a difference. Thank you to everyone who voted for me. This is for the autistic community. I am delighted to receive an accolade from such an important event that champions diversity and inclusion.”
Described as the ‘golden globes of the diversity world’, the National Diversity Awards worked with ITV News to highlight the shortlisted nominees on regional and national news channels. Other companies supporting the awards, include Auto Trader, Kantar, The Open University, United Utilities, Rathbones, Anglo American, OVO Energy Group and Lush Spa Liverpool.
NATIONAL DIVERSITY AWARDS WINNERS
The full list of this year’s winners by category, include:
- Positive Role Model for Age: Ciara McCarthy
- Positive Role Model for Disability: Nicola Carey-Shine
- Positive Role Model for Gender: Sylvia Mac
- Positive Role Model for LGBT: Dave Moreton
- Positive Role Model for Race, Faith & Religion: Yetunde Adeshile
- Community Organisation Award for Age: Conscious Youth
- Community Organisation Award for Disability: StedyChef’s Learning Centre
- Community Organisation Award for Gender: Dope Black Women CIC
- Community Organisation Award for LGBT: The Justin Fashanu Foundation
- Community Organisation Award for Race, Faith & Religion: Muslimah Sports Association
- Community Organisation Award for Multi-strand: Happy Healthy You
- Entrepreneur of Excellence: Lyndsay Watterson
- Celebrity of the Year: Christine McGuinness
- Diverse Company: Kantar
- Lifetime Achiever: Dr Amo Raju OBE DL
RELATED ARTICLES
The National Diversity Awards have announced this year’s finalists from a whopping 90,000 nominations from across the UK.
Check out 2022’s National Diversity Awards diversity and inclusion champions here.
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