Yorkshire Once Again Tops The UK Poll At Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Awards.

It was a stunning evening last night as Yorkshire organisations once again topped the UK poll at the National Centre for Diversity's Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Awards, celebrating the organisations that are the very best at improving practices and making working environments more inclusive.

According to the UK’s only Top 100 Index of organisations, Yorkshire led with Huddersfield New College retaining its No 1 spot for an impressive fourth year https://nationalcentrefordiversity.com/ncfd-grand-awards-2020-top-100/

The Top 100 is the only Index of its kind to recognise the excellent work organisations and those that work for them do in promoting Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement (FREDIE) at the highest level in workplaces across the UK. It is put together as a result of a company survey completed by employees at companies working with the National Centre for Diversity.

An algorithm is then used to benchmark the organisations and compile the Index.

The awards celebrate the contributions of the most committed people and organisations that promote Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement (FREDIE).

EDI Lead of the Year was awarded to Erika Montgomery, Director of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement at Huddersfield New College, with Principal Angela Williams equalling her success by winning Principal of Year. Huddersfield New College also scooped the awards for Further Education Provider of the Year and Organisation of the Year.

Small to Medium Business of the Year went to Sheffield-based The NOCN Group, the educational charity with core aims to help learners reach their potential and organisations thrive both in the UK and internationally.

Louise Fort, The NOCN Group’s HR Manager, took home the new for 2020 category HR Director/Manager of the Year award.

Leeds Building Society won the Financial Services Company of the Year for a second year.

Solat Chaudhry, NCFD Chief Executive, said: “Yorkshire once again demonstrates it is an inspiring place to work and live. Congratulations to everyone. It is hugely motivational to hear the stories from all our winners.

“I am particularly proud that we celebrate excellent work across all sectors as these organisations are the future of the workplace in the UK. We celebrate the exceptional work of people and organisations who have EDI running through their DNA. Let’s rejoice at this and build a better society.

“The outstanding companies that won tonight bring a sense of decency, stability, certainty, well-being, hope, optimism and resilience in a world where mainstream political rhetoric as hardened.”

Two inspirational past winners from Yorkshire were speakers alongside James Walsh, Head of Legacy & Engagement at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Becky Hewitt, HR Director at Leeds Building Society, which won the Financial Services Company of the year spoke of her journey to drive progress and change at Leeds Building Society, posing different questions for the 250 strong audience to consider.

2019’s winner of the Managing Director Chief Executive of the Year Mike Regnier, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Building Society who graciously handed over his title for 2020 to Duncan Elliott, Managing Director at GallifordTry Highways, spoke about mental health issues around one of the biggest unrecognised issues that face many people - their financial well-being. He presented simple solutions to show companies how they can make a difference to handle the health of their workforce with simple measures to support financial well-being.

The winners can be found at https://nationalcentrefordiversity.com/ncfd-grand-awards-2020-winners/


The Awards main sponsor was NOCN with event sponsor Yorkshire Building Society.