Winners announced For Women & Work Awards 2015!!

Twelve public- and private-sector organisations have been recognised for creating equal and inclusive workplaces for women at the Opportunity Now Excellence in Practice Awards 2015.

The awards ceremony took place last night at the Hilton Park Lane, during Business in the Community’s Responsible Business Week, and was attended by more than 500 business leaders.

Now in their 20th year, the awards recognise and celebrate public- and private-sector organisations that are committed to making a difference for women at work.

Kathryn Nawrockyi, Opportunity Now director, Business in the Community, said: “Congratulations to all winners and finalists in the Opportunity Now Excellence in Practice Awards. The standard of entries this year was incredibly high once again, but the winners’ commitment to developing inclusive cultures made them stand out.

“Opportunity Now has always stressed that gender equality at work will come from fixing the culture, not the women, and our winners and finalists are all making this ethos integral to their success.”

Tony Prestedge, chief operating officer at sponsor Nationwide Building Society and an Opportunity Now board member, said: “[The] winners and finalists offer outstanding examples of best practice in supporting women in the workplace, and we would like to congratulate them on their success.”

Helena Morrissey, chair of Opportunity Now, said: “I’d like to congratulate all the winners and finalists on their award success. They have demonstrated clear leadership by moving women’s progression from a ‘diversity’ initiative to a core business priority. Achieving gender equality is only possible when men and women work together at every level, creating real change.”

The 2015 winners are:

• Advancing Women Award – PepsiCo
• Agile Organisation Award – BAE Systems
• Champion Award – Katarina Fidler, general manager, Carillion
• Directing Diverse Talent Award (in partnership with the CIPD) – Judy Greevy, deputy director for talent, engagement and diversity, HM Revenue & Customs
• Engaging Women Award – Hogan Lovells
• Female FTSE 100 Award (in partnership with Cranfield University School of Management) –Diageo and InterContinental Hotels Group (joint winners)
• Female FTSE Progress Award (in partnership with Cranfield University School of Management) – Old Mutual
• Global Award (in partnership with UN Women UK) – Unilever
• Inclusive Culture Award – EY
• Nationwide Inspiring the Workforce of the Future Award – National Grid
• Transparency Award (in partnership with the Government Equalities Office) – PwC

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.