Equality and diversity awards for ‘best firms’

Nine businesses and individuals in Northern Ireland recently received a coveted award at the fourth annual Northern Ireland Equality and Diversity Gala and Awards event hosted by Antrim headquartered employment law and workplace compliance firm Legal Island.

Sponsored by AIB and Jones Cassidy Brett Solicitors, these unique awards provide the opportunity for employers in Northern Ireland to showcase the efforts they put into making their workplace a setting that is rich in equality and diversity.

It also recognises those organisations and individuals that advocate and drive diversity while shining a light on the advantages of doing so.

This year the gala event took place online over a period of three weeks. Host and broadcaster Sarah Travers invited shortlisted organisations to log in online to not only hear who was at the top of their game when it comes to celebrating equality and diversity, but to sit back, relax and enjoy entertainment from artists who would have ordinarily performed at the event which usually takes place at Titanic Belfast.

Gongs spanned nine different categories; Best Employer (Large) for Equality and Diversity in NI, Best Employer (Small) for Equality and Diversity in NI, Best Age Initiative, Best Disability Initiative, Best Gender Initiative, Best LGBT Initiative, Best Race Initiative, Best First Initiative and Individual Diversity Champion.

Professional services firm Herbert Smith Freehills won two awards at the event - Best Employer for Equality and Diversity in NI (Small) and Best LBGT Initiative while Bank of Ireland NI took the gong for Best Employer for Equality and Diversity in Northern Ireland (Large).

Danske Bank was highly commended in both the latter category and Disability Initiative while Donna Feenan from Danske Bank won the sought-after Individual Diversity Champion category. Other winners included Age NI (Best Age Initiative), Habinteg (Best Disability Initiative), Gilbert-Ash (Best Gender Initiative, Queens University (Best Race Initiative) and Hutchinson Care Homes (Best First Initiative).

Barry Phillips, Founder and Chairman of Legal Island, said: “What a strange turn the awards have taken, but we are thrilled that we could still celebrate those winners who highlight and excel in promoting equality and diversity in the workplace. In 2020, we’ve been through a lot of challenges, with more still to come however, if anything, these challenges remind us that, more than ever, employers need to take care of their workforce.

“An equal and diverse workplace is a happy and productive one and against a backdrop of exterior obstacles, the workplace should be a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. It’s important to remember that every business and individual shortlisted in this year’s event has a right to feel proud. I wish to congratulate those who have continued to reinforce the element of equality and diversity, especially our winners and highly commended.”

Heather Stewart, Head of Sales and Service Enablement at AIB, the event’s headline sponsor continued: “As a community-based bank, AIB believes it is critical that we are representative of the people we serve. Harnessing the talent and diversity of every individual helps businesses and employees thrive and we are proud to support Equality and Diversity Gala and Awards, shining a spotlight on those organisations who develop leading inclusion agendas.

“At AIB, we continue to actively promote and celebrate diversity and equality through our employee led resource groups and partnerships with groups including Legal Island. We offer our congratulations to all the award winners who are embedding diversity and equality at the heart of their business, and also to Legal Island for so successfully bringing the gala to us virtually this year!”

Fellow headline awards sponsor, Ciara Fulton, Senior Partner, Jones Cassidy Brett, a niche employment law firm based in Belfast, renowned for its expertise in employment and equality law, added: “We are proud to continue to support the Equality and Diversity Awards for Northern Ireland as it allows us to recognise the fantastic work employers are doing in Northern Ireland to promote equality and diversity in the workplace. The awards also provide a wonderful opportunity to share best practice and acknowledge the efforts staff are making to drive forward the equality and diversity agenda. This helps promote equality and diversity in the wider community, which can only be good for Northern Ireland.

“We wish to congratulate all the award winners this year, who have done such amazing work to promote equality and diversity in their businesses. We also wish to thank Legal Island for bringing us a virtual gala this year, reminding us that now more than ever, it is important not to lose sight of the importance of equality and diversity.”

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