Announcing the FREDIE AWARDS 2026/2027!
Tickets now available & nominations are open for NCFD clients
This fabulous celebration will take place in the Howard Suite at the iconic Headingley Stadium, St Michael’s Lane, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 3BR on Thursday 21st January 2027 from 6.00 pm.
Let’s blow away those grey January blues with an unforgettable night of celebration and connection!
Ticket Type | Early Bird Tickets (Until 31st May 2026) | Normal Price |
|---|---|---|
Single Ticket | £100 +VAT | £150 +VAT |
Table of 10 | £950 +VAT | £1,500 +VAT |
Tickets are currently on sale, to order click the button below and follow the instructions. No payment required on the website, we will invoice you/your company.
Sponsorship opportunities are currently available and an excellent opportunity to promote your company. Click the button below to find out more…
Nominations are now open to National Centre for Diversity clients.
If you know anyone who has gone over and above for the cause of FREDIE within the workplace, now is the time to shine the spotlight and acknowledge their efforts.
Click the link below and follow instructions to submit your nominations.
It couldn’t be easier to submit a nomination for one of our award categories. Whether you’re proud of a colleague, you wish to nominate yourself, your team, or your organisation, submit your nomination today.
Firstly, please note this award is only open to current clients of National Centre For Diversity. Nominations will remain open until 18/09/2026.
Step 1). Decide which categories you want to make nominations for.
The list for 2026-2027 is as follows…
Step 2). Make some short notes on why you are making your nomination, good questions to answer are…
Step 3). Submit as many individual nominations as you would like with the form below. Good Luck.
Order your seats or tables here and we will send you an invoice.
If you have any questions, our support team are available on 0800 288 4717
Meet our panel of Judges who will be responsible for picking this years winners and runners-up.
Background as an engineer, gaining an MBA shortly after becoming a father to twin girls, developing as a manager and director in the manufacturing industry, to changing career in 2010 to Facilities Management joining Amey as Account Director at MOD and then joining the PFI in 2017.
Led the transition of BS11000 to ISO44001 with Modus and MOD (Defence Infrastructure Organisation) and then achieved an accredited three-way relationship between Modus and its FM partners, Skanska and Amey. Achieving ICW recognition in 2020 with a Best-in-Service Sector Award, Chairman’s Award in 2023, Leading Edge accreditation in 2024, and a personal Pioneer Award in 2025. The Enterprise approach embraced the use of FREDIE, from the National Centre for Diversity, using these human characteristics to put real meaning behind the definition of collaborative working and a subsequent step-change in people’s trust and behaviours and tangible benefits. Ongoing engagement with NCD has forged new learning for the wider teams.
‘The learning, both from a business and personal perspective, has been nothing short of life changing’.
Lou joined the rail industry in 2015 and took up the role of Employee Experience Business Partner specialising in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in 2019. The EDI strategy she introduced into the business was shortlisted for a multi-industry award and she is passionate that it be used to drive positive change through the business and wider industry.
Through her leadership she has been a key advocate for under-represented groups, from introducing inclusive policies to creating employee networks for women, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and ex-Armed Forces colleagues. She has been instrumental in bringing a spotlight to violence against women & girls and is actively supporting colleagues who are experiencing domestic abuse.
Lou has been a finalist for ‘Most Inspiring Individual’ at the National Centre for Diversity’s FREDIE awards and her work on EDI has received special recognition at the Women in Rail awards, Rail Business awards and Manchester Good Employment awards.
Lou is from Scotland but now lives in Lancashire with her husband and daughter.
Haroon Bashir is an experienced leader in equality, diversity, and inclusion within the further and higher education sectors. Currently serving as Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at University College Birmingham, Haroon brings a strong commitment to fostering inclusive communities where students and staff from all backgrounds feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. His work at UCB focuses on embedding equity and diversity into institutional culture, curriculum, and student experience, and he actively champions initiatives that celebrate cultural diversity and build a sense of belonging across the campus community.
Previously, Haroon spent over two decades in education, including senior pastoral and equality leadership roles, where he supported learners’ wellbeing, attainment, and confidence. He has driven collaborative efforts across institutions to share best practice in equality and diversity, and his leadership has helped shape positive change in policy and practice across the West Midlands.
Haroon is also engaged beyond the education sector, drawing on his experience to contribute to broader community-focused advisory panels that connect inclusive practice with public services and community safety. His work continues to influence how educational environments can be equitable, responsive, and reflective of the diverse societies they serve.
Martin is the Chief Executive at Calderdale + Kirklees Careers Ltd – a position he feels proud and honoured to have. Martin has worked in West Yorkshire for 30 years. Martin has vast experience of all age education, skills and careers world and has an extensive background in local and regional skills policy and programmes.
He is passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion and believes everybody has the right to access support that will enable them to achieve their aspirations.
Rohini Sharma Joshi is the Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Age Scotland. She is a long-standing and passionate advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Rohini established the Scottish Ethnic Minority Older People Forum to elevate voice and, influence change and improve services for all older people.
Before joining Age Scotland in May 2021, Rohini worked in the housing sector for over thirty years and led and managed an award-winning Equality Programme with projects and initiatives which are recognised as examples of good practice.
She sits on many equality advisory committees and operates at a strategic level, engaging regularly and effectively with government representatives and other bodies with a remit on equality and diversity issues. She was a member of the Older People Strategic Action Forum and Joint Housing Policy & Delivery Group
Khalida joined Scottish Government in 2022 and has since worked in the Director General Communities - Directorate for Housing. Prior to this she was seconded to Scottish Government for three years to undertake the role of Oral Health Community Challenge Fund Manager. She undertook responsibility for running and managing the Oral Health Community Challenge Fund within the Chief Dental officer and Dentistry Division targeted at third sector organisations to work with communities in socially deprived areas to improve the oral health of preschool children, families and individuals considered at risk.
Prior to joining Scottish Government, she worked for Voluntary Action Fund for almost 7 years, working in management and development roles overseeing management of various funds and providing development support to a portfolio of funded organisations. She has had the opportunity to work in a range of social policy areas such as Equalities, Volunteering, Tackling Sectarianism and Community Engagement. She has a strong background in community development and equalities with substantial experience of working in the voluntary, public and private sector gained over the past 25 years.
Khalida has in the past worked in the field of race equality as a Director of Community Organisation for Race Equality, advancing race equality and social justice for minority ethnic communities of North Edinburgh. On the volunteering front Khalida has participated on various boards of community organisations including the position of Scottish Independent Community Advisor with British Transport Police, role she held for over 5 years and volunteered in Scottish Government’s Race Equality and Muslim staff networks undertaking projects to advance equality of opportunity.
Aidan has worked at the University of Leeds for 25 years, firstly as the Director of Membership Services & Development and 18 years as Chief Executive of Leeds University Union.
During this period Leeds University Union has regularly gained awards in the sector related to impact for students and quality of their work. Prior to Leeds Aidan has held roles in Further Education and the students’ union at York St. John University. Aidan is a regular speaker at conferences in the UK and USA on the role of campus services and students’ unions. Aidan has served on the National Union of Students Board during a period of turnaround and restructure where he chaired the Finance & Audit Committee.
Outside Education, Aidan has held a number of charity non-executive roles including Trustee and Chair of HR Committee for Foundation Housing, Chair of Trustees for the Huddersfield Town AFC Foundation and Governor of Leeds Trinity University. Aidan is currently Non-Exec Director and Trustee of The Salvation Army UK & Ireland, one of the largest charities in the UK with a programme of work addressing social justice and community needs. Amongst his other voluntary commitments, Aidan coaches junior football and plays in a brass band.
Hodan is an Enterprise Agile Coach at EQUANS with over 20 years’ experience leading Agile and Scaled Agile transformations across healthcare, financial services, telecoms and manufacturing. A SAFe Programme Consultant (SPC 6.0) and executive coach, Noor specialises in enterprise Agile transformation, PI Planning, flow optimisation and operating‑model redesign.
Known for driving cultural change and measurable business outcomes, Noor combines Agile, Lean, Kanban and Design Thinking with strong leadership coaching and facilitation.
We would like to offer you the opportunity to be an integral part of this fantastic, emotionally charged event by becoming one of our sponsors.
We want to shine a light on excellence in FREDIE practices and initiatives, and to reward the dedication of the people and teams who continue to improve the culture and practices of organisations across the UK.
You can demonstrate your organisation’s passion and commitment to FREDIE by investing in the most prestigious and authentic diversity awards.
Our Gold Sponsor Pack Includes:
PLUS – Display your banner stand at the Welcome Reception
PLUS – Mentioned as Gold Sponsor across our Social Media platforms prior to, during and post event
Our Silver Sponsor Pack Includes:
PLUS – Display your banner stand at the Welcome Reception
PLUS – Mentioned as one of our Sponsors across our Social Media platforms prior to, during and post event
Our Bronze Sponsor Pack Includes:
PLUS – Mentioned as a Sponsor across our Social Media platforms
prior to, during and post event
To enquire or secure your sponsorship package, get in touch with our team.
Phone: 0800 288 4717
Email: admin@iiduk.org
Website: www.nationalcentrefordiversity.com
