Diversity Network Awards 2024 Celebrates Outstanding Achievements in Workplace Diversity
The Diversity Network Awards 2024, proudly headlined by Haleon, took place for the first time at the InterContinental London Park Lane, marking a new chapter in the celebration of diversity and inclusion. The awards ceremony, hosted by Dawn Butler MP, honoured the extraordinary achievements of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that are driving workplace diversity across the UK.
Linda Riley, founder of the Diversity Network Awards, commented on the significance of the event: “It’s a true privilege to come together to recognise the exceptional efforts of these networks. The work they do to create equitable, inclusive environments for all employees is vital. Celebrating their achievements tonight has been a reminder of how much progress has been made, and how much more we can still achieve.”
There were eight categories for employee resource groups which saw the Outstanding LGBTQIA Network of the Year being won by Legal & General Group’s L&GBT+Allies Network and Openreach’s Ethnic Diversity Network winning the Paramount Outstanding Ethnicity Network of the Year. Meanwhile Cisco’s Women In Science and Engineering (WISE) network walked away with the Financial Times Outstanding New Network of the Year award.
Other awards up for grabs included Best Network Initiative sponsored by Pfizer, won by Amey’s Women@Amey PPE Survey and the Allianz Commercial Outstanding Network Lead of the Year where Shemeleah Berry from Entain was crowned the winner. Headline Sponsor Haleon also supported the Head of Diversity of the Year where News UK’s Shelley Bishton was the winner.
The final award of the night saw the eight winning networks going head to head to see who would take home the prestigious Network of Networks award sponsored by HSBC Innovation Banking. VETS (Voices for Employees That Served) from JPMorgan Chase, winner of the DHL Group Outstanding Employee Network of the Year, took away top honours for their outstanding work advocating for military veterans within the workforce.
Winners of the Diversity Network Awards 2024
Pfizer Best Network Initiative of the Year
Winner: Women@Amey PPE Survey, Amey
Highly Commended: Big Build, Santander Consumer Finance UK
EmployAbility Network Unsung Hero of the Year
Winner: David McBeth, Mimecast
Highly Commended: Andy Petherbridge, NHS England
EDF Outstanding Ability Network of the Year
Winner: disABILITY ERG, HSBC Innovation Banking
Highly Commended: Ability UK&I, Sodexo
DHL Group Outstanding Employee Network of the Year
Winner: VETS (Voices for Employees That Served), JPMorgan Chase
Highly Commended: Ketchum’s Inclusion Council, Ketchum UK
Outstanding Family Network of the Year
Winner: Working Parent Network, EDF Energy
Highly Commended: Family Matters Network, UBS UK
Outstanding LGBTQIA Network of the Year
Winner: L&GBT+Allies Network, Legal & General Group
Highly Commended: FreshPride, HelloFresh
Paramount Outstanding Ethnicity Network of the Year
Winner: Ethnic Diversity Network, Openreach
Highly Commended: Black Employee Network (BEN) UK Ops, Amazon
Financial Times Outstanding New Network of the Year
Winner: Women In Science and Engineering (WISE), Cisco
Highly Commended: Beta (Bringing Early Talent Alive), Rolls-Royce SMR
Denovo Legal Services Outstanding Wellness Network of the Year
Winner: Fertility Network, Centrica
Highly Commended: Be Mindful Network, KPMG
Outstanding Women’s Network of the Year
Winner: Women's Business Network, NTT DATA UK & I
Highly Commended: Win UK, Barclays
Allianz Commercial Outstanding Network Lead of the Year
Winner: Shemeleah Berry, Entain
Highly Commended: Kristopher Banks, HSBC UK
Sedulo Outstanding Executive Sponsor of the Year
Winner: Balaji Krishnamurthy, PwC
Highly Commended: Navjot Wyld, EBRD
Haleon Head of Diversity of the Year
Winner: Shelley Bishton, News UK
Highly Commended: Jennifer Thomas, LSEG
HSBC Innovation Banking Network of Networks
Winner: VETS (Voices for Employees That Served), JPMorgan Chase
About the Diversity Network Awards
The Diversity Network Awards were founded to shine a spotlight on the work of ERGs across various industries. Over the last several years, ERGs have evolved from informal groups to being central to business strategy, ensuring that workplaces are inclusive and equitable for all. By raising awareness of the challenges faced by underrepresented employees, these groups work to dismantle barriers and implement solutions that create more inclusive working environments.
For more information, please visit www.diversitynetworkawards.com.