Shortlist sees Goldman Sachs, Tesco, Deloitte and Volkswagen nominated for their commitment to diversity in the workplace
New BBC Newsnight presenter and economist, Evan Davies, is also tipped to win top award
The shortlist for the 2014 European Diversity Awards was announced today (20 August 2014) and paved the way for a big business battle at the the glittering awards ceremony at London’s Natural History Museum on 2 October.
A number of corporate giants and business leaders are nominated for gongs at the Barclays and Google sponsored event.
Goldman Sachs, EY, BNP Paribas and Tesco are all in the running for the highly sort after Employee Network Group of the Year award, while Volkswagen, Deloitte and supermarket chain Waitrose will battle it out for the Most Inclusive Employer accolade.
Clydesdale Bank, Phillips and West Midlands based pubic transport operator, Centro, are all nominated in the Diversity Team of the Year category.
Andy Woodfield from PwC, Mark Anderson, the new Managing Director at Virgin Holidays and Monste Montaner, Head of Group Operations at vaccine giant Novartis, are amongst those competing to be crowned Diversity Champion of the Year.
Meanwhile, openly-gay economist Evan Davies, who was recently announced as the BBC’s new Newsnight anchor, is nominated for the Journalist of the Year award.
Now in their fourth year, the European Diversity Awards recognise the work of people, organisations and business that have made a positive difference by promoting equality and diversity across the continent.
Linda Riley, who founded the awards, paid tribute to those who have made the shortlist: “The number of businesses and business leaders on the shortlist shows that diversity is moving up the agenda to become a very important and strategic issue for many companies.
“The awards are about rewarding and shining a light on those who really stand out. One way or another all of those on our shortlist do just that.”
BBC newsreader Jane Hill will host the awards. She said: “The European Diversity Awards recognise the efforts of people and organisations who are building a society across Europe which embraces all citizens. I’m proud to be taking part and highlighting some of the excellent work that is being done to make a lasting difference.”