Diversity Champions, inclusive employers and pioneering campaigns from all aspects of diversity have been shortlisted for this year’s ceremony.
An overwhelming amount of nominations were received paying tribute to inspirational individuals and diverse companies nationwide that have showcased their incredible achievements to the equality agenda.
Jane Hatton is Founder/Director of Evenbreak, a specialist job board for disabled people. It puts inclusive organisations keen to employ more disabled candidates directly in touch with disabled people. Evenbreak also offers help and advice to disabled jobseekers on the site and aims to promote a positive image of disabled people in employment and the media.
Jane is a disabled person herself (a degenerative spinal condition that restricts her ability to sit or walk), and she runs Evenbreak lying down with a laptop suspended above her.
Jane knows how important staying in work is – not just for the income, but also for the self-esteem, dignity, and feeling of having a purpose it brings.
Jane employs several other disabled people to help run Evenbreak and says “It is an honour to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award. I have been an advocate of the benefits of being an inclusive employer since I began my career as a Diversity Trainer. Since then I have become disabled myself and continue to promote the many benefits disabled employees bring to organisations”.
Business journalist & broadcaster Steph McGovern will take to the stage to host the evening, stating “I am delighted to be hosting the Excellence in Diversity Awards to celebrate the great work of organisations and people who are leading the way in making our country a great and inclusive place to work”
The exclusive awards ceremony will applaud the extraordinary contributions of those that have gone above and beyond their corporate social responsibility, tackling issues internally and externally to influence change in the field of diversity & inclusion.
Baroness Campbell of Surbiton, who has continuously campaigned for disability rights most notably against the legalisation of assisted suicide, said, “If we do not champion people’s diversity in Britain, whether that be in employment, education or full access to public life, then we cannot call ourselves progressive, inclusive and successful human beings. I cannot think of anyone who would want that, but sometimes we need role models to help show us the way.These awards will help society to understand and learn what it means to genuinely include all diverse people in our communities. To be part of that process is very important to me”.
