The companies and community groups which demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity are to be recognised in a new awards ceremony.
The Herald and consultancy firm GenAnalytics today launches the inaugural Diversity Awards in association with Bank of Scotland.
The awards will recognise the outstanding success of companies, organisations, individuals, third sector organisations and community groups.
Annette Barnes, managing director, Bank of Scotland (Retail): “I’m incredibly proud that Bank of Scotland is the title sponsor of the first Herald Diversity Awards. These awards are a fantastic way to recognise the champions of diversity across Scotland.”
The awards will be looking for entrants across the country who offer their workforce the opportunity to fulfil their ambitions, aspirations and potential.
It will be overseen by a panel of judges, chaired by The Herald’s executive editor Barclay McBain and with judges including Jane Gotts, who co-founded GenAnalytics with Professor Lesley Sawers to focus on areas of business performance linked to diversity.
Other judges are Audrey Connolly, of Lloyds Banking Group; Margo Whiteford, consultant clinical geneticist; businessman Peter Lederer CBE; former police officer and sports campaigner Dilawer Singh MBE; and former lawyer and businesswoman Shonaig Macpherson CBE.
Ms Sawers, executive chairwoman of GenAnalytics, said: “Creating more equal and diverse communities and workplaces across Scotland will not only deliver benefits to the economy in terms of inclusive economic growth, it will also ensure that everyone regardless of age, gender, race, religion or physical or mental ability can be part of a fairer and progressive Scotland.
“GenAnalytics is delighted to be working in partnership with The Herald to deliver Scotland’s first National Diversity Awards that showcases outstanding examples of how that can be achieved.”
Magnus Llewellin, editor-in-chief of the Herald and Times Group, said: “We are delighted to be working with GenAnalytics on the first Diversity Awards and I urge businesses and organisations to enter and tell us about the great work going on in your sector.”
The awards are also supported by amiExecutive, Diageo, EY, People Make Glasgow, MacRoberts LLP, Skills Development Scotland, Solutions Driven and Taylor Wimpey.
The ceremony will be held on October 13 and the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow.
Angela Morrison, director of amiExecutive, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Diversity Awards and it is a real privilege to be part of such an amazing event. As a business we greatly value the diversity of our workforce and the larger Glasgow community in general.
“Good luck to everyone involved and all entrants – and congratulations to the organisers on bringing such an important topic to the forefront of the awards season.”
Catriona Mackie, HR Director Diageo, Global Supply said “Diageo in Scotland are delighted to be a supporter of the inaugural Herald and GenAnalytics Diversity Awards. Diversity is an important area of focus for us as an organisation and we know that greater diversity drives better performance and decision making. These Awards provide the opportunity to recognise the achievement of organisations across diversity.”
Katy Wedderburn, employment partner and board member of MacRoberts LLP, said: “As a modern legal services provider that demonstrates, and widely encourages diversity in its workforce and the work it does, we are delighted to support this important event which will recognise the outstanding contributions of all kinds of people and organisations in the promotion and championing of diversity and inclusion.”
Councillor Frank McAveety, leader of Glasgow City Council and chairman of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting The Herald and GenAnaytics’ inaugural Diversity Awards.
“Our city brand is People Make Glasgow and it’s true – Glasgow is an ambitious, inventive, entrepreneurial and welcoming city because of the diversity of our people and businesses.
“Diversity and equality benefit all of society and are the foundations on which to grow our economy and drive innovation.
“These awards provide the perfect platform through which to recognise those outstanding individuals, organisations, businesses and community groups that are positively shaping the cultural and economic fabric of Glasgow today.”
Marion Beattie, head of employer services at Skills Development Scotland, said: “We are committed to supporting equality and diversity through working with partners to help make Scotland a more inclusive place to live and work.
“Recognising positive, inspirational stories helps strengthen the message that equality is good for business.”
Gavin Speirs, chief executive officer of Solutions Driven, said: ‘Solutions Driven is extremely proud to be sponsoring Scotland’s first ever Diversity Awards.
“This topic is being discussed more and more in the recruitment world and we are sure that the launch of these awards will drive further conversations and steps towards equality in business.”
Audrey Ross, sales and 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.
“Being involved in The Herald Diversity 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.”
Entries are welcome across 12 categories before the deadline on August 17. For more information visit https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/the-diversity-awards/ or contact Claire Hunter on 0141 302 7319.
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Categories
Diversity Star Performer – 250+ employees – Sponsored by Solutions Driven
This award recognises a company that has demonstrated outstanding commitment and leadership to harnessing the benefits of a diverse workforce internally and externally. The winner will also understand the business case for diversity in within their industry and be able to demonstrate this in their entry.
Diversity Star Performer – 50-250 employees
Medium sized businesses are the engine of Scotland’s economy. This award will recognise the outstanding commitment shown by a company who maximise all the talents in their workforce to benefit and grow their business. The winning company will be able to provide strong evidence of active policies for promoting diversity and a strong track record of hiring and retaining individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Diversity Star Performer – One-50 employees
Small to medium sized companies are the lifeblood of our business base in Scotland. This award will recognise the excellent commitment that an SME has made into actively developing an inclusive workforce for the benefit of their company and all their employees.
Diversity Star Performer – Recruitment of Talents – Sponsored by Skills Development Scotland
This award will be presented to an organisation that can demonstrate innovation in attracting and recruiting talent from diverse backgrounds.
The 50/50 Challenge – Best Performing Public Board
The Scottish Government has set a voluntary target of 50:50 gender split for public boards by 2020. This award will recognise the public body which has demonstrated and can provide clear evidence of leadership, drive and commitment internally and externally to achieving this target.
Best Community Project – Sponsored by Taylor Wimpey
This award will be presented to an individual or a group who have made an outstanding contribution to promote equality, diversity and inclusion within their local community. The project selected will demonstrate impact in the community and be able to provide examples of the positive effects on people’s lives.
Diverse Social Enterprise of the Year – Sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group
This award will recognise the contribution of social enterprises to the diversity agenda and will be awarded to an organisation who can demonstrate the benefits of adopting diversity to further the aims and ambitions of their social enterprise.
Diversity Hero of the Year – Sponsored by Diageo
We need more heroes to champion the benefits of an inclusive and diverse workforce. This award will celebrate an individual who has campaigned to highlight diversity and has worked to make a difference or has been an inspirational role model to others.
Design for Diversity
This award will be presented to an organisation or company who have delivered a project in Scotland that captures and can provide evidence of an inclusive design process including accessible design and assistive technology to enable the broadest range of users.
Best Diversity Marketing and Social Issues Campaign – Sponsored by People Make Glasgow
This award will be presented to the best innovative marketing or social issues campaign which challenges convention and demonstrates a clear understanding the benefits of engaging with a diverse and inclusive audience.
Rising Star Diversity Award – Sponsored by amiExecutive
This award will be presented to a rising star within a business or organisation who has demonstrated a strong commitment and track record of promoting diversity and inclusion within their organisation.
Inspiring Role Model and Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by MacRoberts LLP
This award will be presented to an individual who is recognised for their outstanding contribution to the promotion of diversity and inclusion either in their workforce, charity, community or wider society over the whole of their lifetime.