Time to shine a light on inclusion as 2023 Inclusive Awards open for entries on Wednesday February 1st
The 2023 Inclusive Awards – organised by Inclusive Companies – are open for entries. Returning for the 9th year, the Awards comprise eight categories that recognise and celebrate individuals and organisations who have excelled in their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Set to shine a light on inclusion, the Inclusive Awards entries are assessed by a truly diverse and independent judging panel looking to reward individuals and organisations who can demonstrate their achievements across all strands of diversity including age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race and religion. Nominations are sought from employers and employees working in a wide variety of sectors including private, public, education, charity and housing, to name but a few.
“The Inclusive Awards celebrate individuals and organisations who can demonstrate true diversity, inclusion, equality and equity in their workplace or community,” says Paul Sesay, CEO of Inclusive Companies. “Our judges will look beyond policies and practices to shine a light on those who can demonstrate that diversity and inclusion run through the very heart of all they do. Awards will go to those who are going above and beyond their corporate social responsibility and making an outstanding commitment to equality and equity.”
Last year’s individual award winners were Janet Tidmarsh, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Whitbread, who won the Head of Diversity & Inclusion Award, and Caroline Frankum, Global CEO at Kantar Profiles who won the Chief Executive of the Year Award.
Organisations large and small also carried off awards. Shape Talent won the D&I Consultancy of the Year Award and West Midlands Police the Diversity Team of the Year Award. United Utilities took home the Inclusive Culture Initiative Award while HSBC secured the Outstanding Diversity Network Award. Finally, the University of Sunderland received The Social Mobility Project Award and Barclays Chief Technology Office won the D&I Tech Initiative Award.
‘We need awards until we don’t need awards’
“Last year, one of our judges, Jiten Patel, summed it up nicely by saying ‘we need awards until we don’t need awards’,” says Paul. “I would be delighted to reach the stage where the work we celebrate at the Inclusive Awards is considered the norm, not the exception. However, we are not there yet so it remains important to highlight and showcase the extraordinary work being done, learn from these role models and draw inspiration from their attitudes, behaviour and achievements.”
2023 Inclusive Awards Categories and Timeline
The 2023 Inclusive Awards have eight categories as follows plus a Lifetime Achiever Award that is bestowed on an individual by the judging panel. The deadline for entries is July 25, 2023. Shortlisted entrants are due to be announced in September and winners will be revealed at the 2023 Inclusive Awards event later this year.
D&I Consultancy Award for innovative consultancies which focus on diversity and inclusion and offer bespoke strategies, training, advice and solutions to organisations looking to create an inclusive working culture.
Outstanding Diversity Network Award for the outstanding contribution of employee networks that have tackled issues internally or externally to influence change in the field of equality and diversity such as age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race, faith or religion.
Inclusive Culture Initiative Award for inclusive culture initiatives across organisations with diversity at their core through internal initiative strategies, campaigns and resources that have been implemented to drive diversity and inclusion throughout the organisation.
Head of Diversity and Inclusion Award to recognise the achievements of individuals who have shown leadership, commitment and motivation, driving the diversity agenda throughout their company and wider community.
Chief Executive of the Year Award for chief executives who have shown personal commitment to the diversity and inclusion agenda, valuing the diversity of their employees and leading their organisation to become an inclusive employer.
D&I Tech Initiative Award to showcase innovation from inventions that are removing barriers for minority groups to tech solutions that can drive diversity and inclusivity to create change.
Social Mobility Project Award to highlight organisations which have developed and implemented projects to encourage social mobility and community involvement.
Diversity Teams Award to showcase teams across a variety of organisations that have shown outstanding dedication in diversity and inclusion to enhance the agenda within their businesses.
Lifetime Achiever Award is awarded by the judging panel to an individual who has devoted a major portion of their professional life to enhancing the practice of equality and diversity, making significant innovative and cumulatively outstanding contributions to the cause.
Entering the Inclusive Awards
To see the full list of categories and to enter the Inclusive Awards, visit