Last night’s event, organised by The Herald and GenAnalytics, aimed to showcase people and companies putting diversity and inclusion at the heart of their operations.

The awards were supported by City of Glasgow College, Diageo, Taylor Wimpey West Scotland, MacRoberts LLP, City Building LLP, Royal Mail, ScottishPower, Wheatley Group, YSC Consulting, BAE Systems, CIPD, SQA and title partner Standard Life Aberdeen.

Amy said: “I am delighted to be back in Glasgow to present the Herald and GenAnalytics Diversity Awards. It’s a wonderful occasion and a great honour for me to be part of this special evening recognising the hard work and contribution so many people and companies make to the lives of others.”

Kerry Christie, Chief People Officer at Standard Life Aberdeen PLC, said: “We’re delighted to have the opportunity for a third year to support these important recognition awards. Congratulations to the winners and finalists, who have all made outstanding achievements to promote inclusion in their organisations and society.”

From just under 100 entries, including the highest number of submissions from the private sector to date, the judges once again had a difficult task of selecting the winners and finalists in each category.

The Lifetime Achievement Award this year, sponsored by MacRoberts LLP, went to Lynn Waddell, Equality and Diversity Manager with NHS Forth Valley. It recognises her outstanding contribution and championing of diversity and inclusion to the NHS in Scotland over 40 years of service.

Neil Kennedy, Managing Partner, MacRoberts LLP, said: “It was a great privilege to present Lynn Waddell with the lifetime achievement award last night. All the winners and finalists richly deserved their awards and recognition.  It was a great celebration of the amazing work that is being done to promote and encourage diversity and equality in the workplace, in our communities and in our society.”

“Diversity is an important area of focus for us as a business and we know that greater diversity drives better performance and decision making.

“These Awards recognise achievements across diversity and we would like to congratulate all of this year’s commendable winners – well done!”

Audrey Ross, Sales & Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey West Scotland, said: “We aim to be an inclusive company which values people as individuals and creates a workforce that reflects the diversity of the local communities where we build new homes, and we’re really delighted to have been involved in the third successful year of The Herald Diversity Awards.

“Our support of these Awards recognises the importance that we’ve placed on embracing diversity and inclusion within our business and the opportunity it creates for the wider housebuilding industry.

“This year’s winners have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to delivering diversity and inclusion within their business, and the Awards have provided us all with a valuable insight into the oppotrtunities that exist for every business regardless of their size.”

”They are ambassadors of the benefits that can be realised when everyone in our society has the opportunity to fulfil their ambitions, aspirations and potential.“Our Diversity in the Third Sector finalists are inspirational, and it has been great to hear about social enterprises recognising that everyone has skills to offer. I’d like to congratulate all the finalists and in particular the category winner, The Scottish Centre for Personal Safety, on their success.”

Wheatley Foundation Director Lorraine McLaren added: “At Wheatley Group we are working hard to tackle disadvantage and to promote opportunities for everyone in our communities, no matter what their circumstances. It was great to hear the stories of the many other people across Scotland who are going the extra mile to help create an inclusive society where everyone is treated fairly. Huge congratulations to all the winners.”

Roy Gardner, Executive Director, Corporate Development & Innovation at City of Glasgow College, said: “Our college is proud to support the Herald’s Diversity Awards and our congratulations go to last night’s well deserved winners whose determination and creativity underlines the hard work that is happening across Scotland to champion Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.”

Paul Feely, Engineering Director said: “BAE Systems is committed to being an inclusive organisation with a diverse population of employees and we are extremely proud to have sponsored the Design for Diversity category.  Congratulations to Scotland Transerv for taking home the award and well done to all of the finalists.

Andreyana Ivanova, Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Royal Mail, said the group was “absolutely delighted” to sponsor the awards.

She said: “We were absolutely delighted to sponsor the Herald and GenAnalytics Diversity Awards 2018 and to join the winners and the runners-up in celebrating their good practice initiatives and contributions to Scotland’s diversity and inclusion agenda. Once again, huge congratulations to all of them and a big thank you to the organisers for making the awards such as success!”

Lee Panglea, CIPD Head of Scotland and Northern Ireland said: “CIPD Scotland is delighted to be involved in the Herald Diversity Awards as they celebrate outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion within organisations in Scotland, Congratulations to all of the winners.”

Category sponsor ScottishPower said: “We’ve enjoyed being part of a fantastic evening.” It’s inspired to us keep challenging ourselves and trying new things that will make a difference to our employees, customers and society as a whole.”