Renowned newsreader, TV presenter and journalist Naga Munchetty acknowledged and celebrated inclusive employers and diversity champions as she revealed the winners of the 2022 Inclusive Awards on Thursday December 1st.
Making a welcome return as a live event after a three-year break due to Covid restrictions, the Inclusive Awards is organised by Inclusive Companies and sponsored by United Utilities, Emcor and Auto Trader. It is the only awards ceremony that rewards organisations for harnessing a truly diverse workforce, recognising the significant efforts of organisations nationwide that excel in their commitment to equality and inclusion across all strands of diversity. Alongside announcing the Award winners, Paul Sesay, CEO of Inclusive Companies, also revealed the 2022 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,” says 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.”
Entries to the eight categories were assessed by an esteemed panel of 20 judges https://inclusiveawards.com/judges/ from diverse cultural and business backgrounds who chose the following winners (please see below for the category criteria).
2022 Inclusive Awards Winners
Winners celebrating at the 2022 Inclusive Awards
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
“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,” says Paul Sesay, CEO and Founder of the Inclusive Awards. “Diversity and inclusion are hugely important but never more so than during difficult times,” he continues. “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.”
As in previous years, Paul Sesay took the opportunity of the Inclusive Awards event to reveal the 2022 Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List and introduce his first-ever, brand new Diversity Power List.
The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List is now in its 7th 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. See the full list here: https://www.inclusivecompanies.co.uk/inclusivetop50/2022rankings/
Brand new for 2022 is the 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. See the full list here: https://diversitypowerlist.com/2022diversitypowerlist/
“I am immensely proud of the work we’re doing to promote and celebrate diversity and inclusion in the UK,” says Paul. “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.”
2022 Inclusive Awards Winners, Categories and Criteria
Head of Diversity & Inclusion Award – Janet Tidmarsh, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Whitbread
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.
Chief Executive of the Year Award – Caroline Frankum, Global CEO, Kantar Profiles
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.
D&I Consultancy of the Year Award – Shape Talent
This Award showcases consultancies who focus on D&I and offer bespoke strategies, training advice and solutions to other organisations looking to create an inclusive working culture.
D&I Tech Initiative Award – Barclays Chief Technology Office D&I Initiatives
This Award recognises emerging, ground-breaking tech initiatives from inventions removing barriers for minority groups to tech companies developing impressive diversity initiatives to create change.
Inclusive Culture Initiative Award – United Utilities
This Award recognises inclusive culture initiatives with diversity at their core including the implementation of successful strategies, campaigns and resources throughout their organisation.
Outstanding Diversity Network Awards – HSBC Balance UK employee resource group
This Award identifies the outstanding contribution of employee networks that have tackled issues internally or externally to influence change in the field of equality and diversity such as age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race, faith or religion.
Social Mobility Project Award – University of Sunderland: We Care
This Award recognises organisations and the projects they have developed and implemented to encourage social mobility and community involvement from all backgrounds.
Diversity Team of the Year Award – West Midlands Police Diversity & Inclusion Team
This Award highlight teams that have shown outstanding dedication in the field of diversity and inclusion and enhanced the agenda within their business.
