John Lewis and River Island have been recognised as two of the UK’s best high street brands by the Investing in Ethnicity Awards.
“The retailers have demonstrated a commitment to black and ethnic minority employees and customers over a number of years and have worked to promote an inclusive culture,” said awards founder Sarah Garrett MBE.
Other top brands to fare well in the nominations include online fashion retailer Missguided, McCain, Adidas, Glossier, Spotify and British Vogue.
Business leaders, celebrities and corporate organisations will be honoured for their commitment to promoting and supporting ethnic minority communities..
Alan Yau, founder of of the Wagamamma food chain, and fashion designer Ozwald Boateng, are also nominated for prestigious accolades.
Meghan Markle, 12 Year’s A Slave’s Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ore Oduba and Alesha Dixon are all up for the Inspirational Public Figure gong.
Legacy award nominees include Sir Trevor McDonald and Grace Jones for their outstanding commitment to ethnic minority talent and championing diversity.
Founder of the Investing in Ethnicity Awards, Sarah Garrett MBE, said:
“These awards celebrate companies and individuals who’ve made a substantive commitment to furthering diversity and equality for black and ethnicity minority people.
“People in the public eye and companies who want to use their positions of privilege to raise up others in less privileged positions than themselves have been shortlisted. Often that includes people from ethnic minorities.
“Firms are beginning to realise that they must reflect wider society, employing and championing BAME people, causes and concerns. The retailers shortlisted have demonstrated a commitment to black and ethnic minority employees and customers over a number of years and have worked to promote an inclusive culture.”
Fiona Daniel, Head of Diversity and Inclusion UK at HSBC UK, said:
“We are delighted to be a partner for The Investing in Ethnicity Awards 2018, this is an excellent opportunity to highlight the incredible work being done across the UK both in the business world and more broadly. The calibre of nominations has been outstanding, stressing the importance of those working hard to ensure that all people are afforded equal opportunity, regardless of race or ethnicity.”
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.
