Shortlist sees Accenture, Barclays, Deloitte and RBS nominated for their commitment to diversity in the workplace
The shortlist for the 2016 European Diversity Awards was announced today and paved the way for a battle of big businesses at the glittering ceremony – taking place at London’s Natural History Museum on Tuesday 29 November.
A number of corporate giants and business leaders are nominated for gongs at the Heathrow Airport sponsored event.
Barclays, Accenture, Manchester City FC, Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline are all in the running for the highly sort after Company of the Year award, while RBS, Deloitte, Shell UK, John Lewis Partnership and the University of Bradford are all hoping to be victorious in the Employee Network Group of the Year category.
The Royal Air Force, Deutsche Bank, DIAGEO and Coca-Cola European Partners are amongst the companies who will battle it our for the Diversity Team of the Year accolade.
Companies that have displayed their commitment to equality and diversity though marketing campaigns are also in the running to be recognised including Adidas, L’oreal, H&M and EDF Energy.
A number of business leaders are shortlisted for awards, individuals include, Daisy Reeves from BLP Law, Mark Gossington from PwC, Philip Bourchier O’Ferrall from VIACOM and Tunki Akintokun from Cisco Systems are among those competing for the prestigious Diversity Champion of the Year award.
Meanwhile, Mitra Janes, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at DLA Piper, Birgit Neu, Head of Diversity at HSBC and, Maria Angelica Perez , Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Ericsson are all in the running for the Diversity Chief of the Year prize.
Now in their sixth 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:
“Even after Brexit, it is important that we continue to celebrate the achievements of businesses and business leaders from Europe at the European Diversity Awards. 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 in counties across Europe and we should be proud of that.
“These 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.”
Actress Sophie Ward 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.”
Rebecca joined the HRreview editorial team in January 2016. After graduating from the University of Sheffield Hallam in 2013 with a BA in English Literature, Rebecca has spent five years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past she has been part of the editorial teams at Sleeper and Dezeen and has founded her own arts collective.
