Announcing the Winners of the VERCIDA Employer Excellence Awards 2025

We are delighted to reveal the winners of the VERCIDA Employer Excellence Awards 2025, recognising organisations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to creating inclusive, supportive, and diverse workplaces. Unlike traditional awards, these accolades are determined through data-driven insights from jobseekers' interactions on VERCIDA’s platform. This ensures that the awards genuinely reflect public recognition of employers’ efforts in fostering equitable workplace cultures.

By analysing user engagement, job ad performance, and content readership, these awards celebrate organisations leading the way in workplace inclusivity and sustainability. Congratulations to all our winners!

Most Inclusive Job Ad

Department for Work and Pensions – Setting an example through their proactive approach in creating job ads that use clear, unbiased language and ensuring transparency of the recruitment process and the salary.

Authentic Content

Sopra Steria – Recognised for the high level of jobseekers’ engagement with their content, the company shares authentic employee experiences and insights, allowing candidates to engage with their inclusive culture and its continuous evolving journey.‍

Employer of Choice

Sainsbury’s – Recognised for attracting diverse candidates shown in high engagement levels, application rate, reflecting the company’s appeal as an employer committed to inclusion and equal opportunity.

Outstanding Debut

Sanctuary – Quickly becoming a champion of workplace inclusivity, the company was recognised for their diversity initiatives that have effectively engaged jobseekers.

Disability Champion

City College Norwich – Celebrated for actively advocating for disability inclusion through a number of initiatives, which resulted in high levels of engagement from candidates with disabilities.

Faith Champion

Ministry of Defence (British Army Civilian Workforce) – Commended for fostering a multi-faith workplace, providing prayer spaces, and developing policies that support religious observance in a diverse workforce. Jobseekers showed their appreciation of the employer’s proactive approach and authentic stories.

Race Equality Champion

Thales – Recognised for their commitment to diversity and equality, and providing meaningful career progression opportunities for ethnically diverse employees. Testimonials from colleagues were highly popular, proving the organisation’s ongoing efforts to support racial diversity.

Gender Equality Champion

West Yorkshire Combined Authority – Celebrated by jobseekers for efforts to create an inclusive culture, particularly through their Gender Equality Group which is working on several fronts to support gender equality, collaborating with other networks across the organisation to promote intersectionality.

LGBTQ+ Champion

Sopra Steria – Recognised for cultivating a culture of acceptance, where LGBTQ+ employees feel empowered and valued. Data shows how jobseekers value the inspiring efforts of Sopra Steria’s PLUS Network and their story sharing.

Motors – Commended for fostering a warm and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ employees, offering resources and visible support for the community through their Pride group.

Age Inclusion Champion

Hachette UK – Recognised for their commitment to fostering an age-inclusive environment, ensuring employees of all generations receive equal access to career development and support. Jobseekers appreciated the company's age-friendly initiatives and authentic stories from their AgeWise network.

Parents and Carers Champion

Jacobs – Recognised for implementing flexible working policies and robust support systems for working parents and caregivers, allowing them to thrive professionally while managing their responsibilities.

Wellbeing Champion

British Antarctic Survey – Celebrated for prioritising mental and physical health, particularly for employees working in extreme environments, ensuring wellbeing remains at the core of its workplace culture.

Training and Development Champion

Arts Council England – Acknowledged for access to training opportunities especially within underrepresented communities and their leadership programmes that empower employees to upskill, grow, and advance their careers.

Veterans Champion

Sage – Commended for their veteran employment initiatives, offering training, mentorship, and pathways into civilian careers.

Neurodiversity Champion

TransPennine Express – Recognised for their efforts to foster a neurodiverse-friendly work environment by providing tailored support and ensuring workplace adjustments for neurodivergent employees.

Environmental Champion

Grosvenor – Awarded for their leadership in sustainable business practices, minimising its environmental footprint, and investing in green initiatives.

Work-life Balance Champion

Rail Safety and Standards Board – Commended for pioneering flexible work arrangements, ensuring employees can maintain a sustainable work-life balance.

Best Overall Initiative

Pathways, Sage – Celebrated for its groundbreaking approach to workplace inclusion, Sage Pathways is a support, development, training and recruitment programme designed to help people return to work after a career break, switch careers or those starting out after completing full-time education. Sage Pathways offers real, open permanent roles, flexible working, re-training and recruitment readiness support that highly resonates with jobseekers.

Social Media Champion

Thales – Recognised for effectively using social media as a platform to drive conversations on diversity and inclusion, amplifying important voices within the organisation.

Inclusive Communication Champion

DCMS – Acknowledged for ensuring that all jobseekers communications through emails and newsletters are transparent, accessible, and designed to be inclusive.

Congratulations to all our winners! These organisations are setting the benchmark for inclusivity, ensuring workplaces where everyone feels valued and supported. Their ESG commitment is shaping a more inclusive future for all.

Click the link below to see the full shortlist and get inspired by those setting the standard for inclusive excellence!

👉 View the shortlist now!