Welcome to VERCIDA website.

Skip to main content
Enable Recite to make this website accessible

DIVA250 Awards Shortlist 2017

Image of DIVA250 Awards Shortlist 2017

Voting is open for this year’s DIVA Awards, sponsored by Heathrow.

The inaugural awards were created by magazine owner and co-publisher Linda Riley and aim to celebrate the work of inspirational lesbian and bisexual role models as well as important champions of equality and diversity.

Speaking at the launch of the nominations Linda Riley said, “This is a very strong shortlist and there are some incredibly big international names nominated for awards which mean the DIVA Awards will be one of Britain's biggest and most exciting events in 2017.”

This is evident with nominees including international stars Ellen Degeneres, Kylie Minogue OBE, Ruby Rose and Kristen Stewart. As well as well-known British figures such as Sue Perkins, Clare Baldwin OBE, Louisa Bradshaw-White and Gok Wan.

The incredible work of Paralympians and sports persons is also being recognised with figures such as Paralympian Claire Harvey and Rio Gold-medal winners Helen and Kate Richardson-Walsh.

Fantastic campaigners for LGBT and Trans awareness are also recognised with names such as Vicky Beeching and Alison Camps appearing in the nominations.

The full list of nominations for the various awards are as follows:

LGBT Activist/Campaigner of the Year

Elly Barne

Elly Barnes - Founder of schools' charity Educate & Celebrate

Vicky Beeching - Theologian, broadcaster and LGBT campaigner

Alison Camps - Co-Chair of Pride In London

Juno Roche - Trans rights activist and patron of CliniQ

Rebecca Root - Trans awareness campaigner and actress

Chardine Taylor-Stone - Cultural producer, writer and feminist activist

Brand of the Year

MTV

Absolut - Premium vodka brand

Facebook - Social media and social networking site

Microsoft - Multi-national technology company

MTV - General entertainment channel

Netflix - Multi-national entertainment company

Virgin Group - Multi-national conglomerate

Politician of the Year

Angela Eagle

Angela Eagle MP - British Labour Party politician

Mhairi Black MP - Scottish politician, youngest MP

Ruth Davidson MSP - Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party

Kezia Dugdale MSP - Leader of the Scottish Labour Party

Justine Greening MP - Secretary of State for Education since 2016

Margot James MP - British Conservative Politician and entrepreneur

Sports Personality of the Year

Claire Harvey

Claire Harvey - Paralympic athlete at London 2012

Nicola Adams MBE - Double Olympic boxing gold medallist

Helen Richardson-Walsh - Gold medallist, Rio 2016 - Team GB Hockey

Kate Richardson-Walsh MBE - Gold medallist, Rio 2016 - Team GB Hockey

Lianne Sanderson - Professional England international footballer

Casey Stoney MBE - Arsenal Ladies footballer with 118 caps for England

Rising Star of the Year

Shura

Shura - Released debut album in July 2016

Victoria Broom - Actress and award-winning LGBT producer

Sarah Keyworth - Surreal, deadpan, award-winning comedian

Gem Andrews - Northern based singer, songwriter and musician

Munroe Bergdorf - Model, DJ, trans activist and feminist

Wegan - YouTubers who campaign for femme visibility

Ally of the Year

Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue OBE - Award-winning singer and actress

Michelle Collins - TV presenter and actress

Rachel Shelley - Radio Host and The L Word actress

Gok Wan - Fashion consultant and television presenter

Denise Welch - Actress, starred in BBC2's Boy Meets Girl

Sinitta - Singer, television personality and actress

Broadcaster of the Year

Clare Balding

Clare Balding OBE - Presenter, writer and broadcaster

Susan Calman - Comedian, presenter and writer

Jane Hill - BBC journalist and newsreader

Sue Perkins - Broadcaster, comedian and writer

Mary Portas - Retail consultant, broadcaster and author

Sandi Toksvig OBE - Writer, presenter, producer and political activist

Musician of the Year

Mel B

Mel B - Singer, entrepreneur and former X Factor judge

Saara Aalto - 2016 X Factor runner-up

Joan Armatrading MBE - British singer-songwriter and guitarist

Jess Glynne - Award-winning singer-songwriter

Horse McDonald - Scottish singer-songwriter

Lucy Spraggan - Singer, songwriter and musician

Author of the Year

Stella Duffy

Stella Duffy OBE - Novelist, playwright and theatre director

Kiki Archer - Bestselling and award-winning lesbian author

Jacquie Lawrence - Writer of web series Different For Girls

Val McDermid - Celebrated and best-selling crime writer

Lucy Sutcliffe - Author of memoir Girl Hearts Girl

Sarah Waters - Award-winning author of six lesbian novels

Inspirational Role Model of the Year

Heather Peace

Heather Peace - Actress, musician and LGBT rights activist

Cindy Edwards - Founder and MD of L Fest and L Fest Del Mar

Jacqui Gavin - Civil servant and trans rights activist

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah - Co-founder, UK Black Pride

Daisy Reeves - Partner at Berwin Leighton Paisner

Sophie Ward - Actress and author

Entertainment Personality of the Year

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne - Actress and model

Luisa Bradshaw-White - Bad Girls, Holby City and EastEnders actress

Sam Fox - Pop singer, songwriter and actress

Katie Salmon - Reality TV star

Ruby Tandoh - Great British Bake Off contestant and food writer

Rose & Rosie - YouTubers, influencers and radio hosts

International Icon

Ellen Degeneres

Ellen Degeneres - Chat show host, awarded the US Medal of Freedom

Lauren Jaugregui - Member of girl group Fifth Harmony

Ruby Rose - Model, DJ, actress and television presenter

Kristen Stewart - Actress known for her role the Twilight Saga

Samira Wiley - Orange Is The New Black actress and model

Tegan & Sara - Canadian indie-pop singing duo

Lifetime Achievement

DIVA is inducting one special individual or company into the DIVA Hall of Fame in recognition of tireless work to improve the lives of LGBT people. There is no shortlist for this award - the winner will be announced during the ceremony.

VERCIDA works with over one hundred clients who are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. If you are an employer and interested in working with VERCIDA to promote your diversity and inclusion initiatives and attract the best candidates, please call 02037405973 or email [email protected] for more information.

We are also officially recommended by Disability Confident as a step on achieving Employer status, please click here for more information.

Vercida logo

VERCIDA works with over one hundred clients who are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. If you are an employer and interested in working with VERCIDA to promote your diversity and inclusion initiatives and attract the best candidates, please email [email protected] for more information.

History, Culture, Languages

Thank you for registering on VERCIDA - the leading job site for companies that are passionate about diversity and inclusion.

  • Check out our client profiles to get the latest on their DE&I credentials
  • Look out for client benefits next to all our job specs
  • Sign up for job alerts to keep up to date on new roles as they come in
  • Search 1000s of roles from the biggest brands

Please proceed to the next step. If you are unable to complete the next stage of application please use the contact form HERE.

You will receive an email with link to reset your password.

Enter your new password