Entries are now open for the prestigious This Is Us Awards, championing workplace Diversity & Inclusion across the East of England and Midlands.
The awards – one of the most anticipated occasions in the Diversity & Inclusion calendar – are backed by Minister for Women and Equalities and MP for Norfolk, the Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss, and will be the final part of a special conference event taking place next January.
Designed to raise awareness and celebrate Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace, the This Is Us Awards recognise the D & I initiatives of businesses across the regions and highlight companies’ commitment to equality and their positive impact on the workplace experience.
The awards are calling for nominations across 12 sought after categories, including ‘Recruitment Policy and Implementation’, ‘Training and Development’, ‘Gender Empowerment’ and ‘Overall Champion’. The full list of categories and entry criteria can be found on the This Is Us Conference website.
Nominations close on 15th November, with the awards ceremony taking place on the evening of Thursday 12th January 2023 at leading Northamptonshire conference venue, Kettering Conference and Exhibition Centre.
The This Is Us Awards form part of the wider This Is Us Conference, managed by leading events company, Events Together.
Now in its fourth year, the must-attend Conference will bring together business leaders from across the East of England and Midlands and provide a full programme of resources, talks, panels and workshops, hosted by a variety of prominent organisations and thought leaders.
The event will showcase best practice, offer training materials, and address and facilitate important conversations around Diversity & Inclusion, enabling companies to support and improve corporate cohesion and productivity within their teams,
Meena Chander, founder of the This Is Us Awards, said: “Prioritising Diversity & Inclusion should be a genuine ‘business basic’ and, whilst the energy for more noteworthy Diversity & Inclusion consideration is making headway, genuine advancement is still moderate for many companies.
“There has never been a more crucial time to bring these issues to the forefront for business owners throughout the UK, regardless of their sector. Overlooking Diversity & Inclusion can provoke reputational hurt for companies, whilst grasping it provides so many advantages.
“The This Is Us Awards, part of the wider This Is Us Conference, are about championing businesses and individuals that are already getting it ‘right’ and recognising their achievements on a local level.
“I look forward to reviewing the entries and giving those leading the way in D & I the recognition they so truly deserve.”
Minister for Women and Equalities and MP for Norfolk, Elizabeth Truss, said: “There are clear business indicators which outline that a strong diversity engagement policy within the workplace creates advantageous results.
“Now more than ever companies need to be looking at all sectors for their recruitment needs and a Diversity and Inclusion policy creates an excellent platform for success.”
Jacqui Gavin, chief of culture at Britishvolt, added: “In today’s world it’s not just about acknowledging the visible differences in our society, it’s about actually listening and being willing to take on board the lived experience and embedding it at the heart of everything we do.
“Truly embedding inclusion for all is the ethos of the This Is Us Conference and Awards, and this is why I am so proud to support Meena as chair of this truly inclusive event year after year.”
