The National Centre for Diversity held their prestigious, third annual Grand Awards event last night (Thursday 18th January 2018) at the Hotel Ibis, Earls Court in London.
The event was an exhilarating and emotional night of celebration, attended by some of the country’s best people and organisations in relation to Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement (FREDIE).
The individual and organisational awards mark the contributions of some of the most inspiring, passionate and brilliant individuals who work tirelessly every day, to ensure that there is fairness for all, not only within their organisations but also within their wider communities.
During the evening the National Centre for Diversity announced its UK Top 100 Index 2018, highlighting 100 of the UK’s best organisations.
Reigning diversity Champions Huddersfield New College retained the Number 1 position in the 2018 Top 100 Index and thereby received the UK Organisation of the Year Award for the second time.
London based Training and Education Centre NEWTEC also did well this year, taking home the UK Charity of the Year Award, the Board/ SLT of the Year Award and reached Number 6 in the Top 100 Index 2018.
One of four new categories this year, the UK Financial Services Company of the Year, was awarded to Yorkshire Building Society. They went on to also receive the award for UK’s Most Improved Organisation of the Year.
The much coveted Managing Director/ Chief Executive of the Year was awarded to Lynda Rees, Chief Executive of Luton Community Housing.
Also reigning champions Interserve Construction retained the Construction Company of the Year award and Yorkshire based giants NG Bailey have won the UK Engineering Company of the Year Award in 2018 and 2017.
Another new category this year, UK Retailer of the Year, attracted entrants of all sizes, but there could only be one winner – the award this year went to none other than the worldwide phenomenon that is Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
UK Technology Company of the Year was awarded to a big hitter in the industry – SAGE UK and SAGE UK’s very own Helen Baker was also awarded the Most Inspiring Individual of the Year Award 2018.
Birmingham based Oasis Academy Foundry’s Principal, Emma Johnson was awarded the UK Principal of the Year Award. The organisation also scooped up the UK School or Academy of the Year Award and reached a very credible Number 24 in the Top 100 Index 2018.
Solat Chaudhry, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Diversity said:
“Wow what an emotional night that was. Just truly amazing as it is every year. There were a few surprises this year and some of the smaller companies held their own against the giants. The awards night is easily the best working night of the year and all of the attendees will take away memories that they will treasure forever.”
The Top 100 Index is dictated by the results of the diagnostic surveys completed by those who have embarked on an accreditation journey with the National Centre for Diversity. The Top 100 Index is also used to determine the winners of the organisational awards presented during the Grand Awards evening, such as UK Transportation Organisation of the Year and UK Organisation of the Year.
The winners of the individual awards, such as UK Employee of the Year and UK Principal of the Year, are decided by an independent panel of judges, selected from the nominations collated by the National Centre of Diversity.
The Top 100 Index 2018 and full list of 2018 winners is available on the National Centre for Diversity website.
