Loose Women star and comedian Judi Love hosted the star-studded ceremony in London as sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, songstress Emeli Sande and Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe also honoured alongside cricketer and campaigner Azeem Rafiq
Industry giants Nationwide and Lloyds were the big business winners at the 2022 Ethnicity Awards, which took place in front of a star-studded crowd in London.
Held in association with founding partner HSBC UK, the annual Black, Asian and minority ethnic awards extravaganza was hosted by Loose Women star and comedian Judi Love.
Nationwide Building Society took home a Network Group of the Year prize, beating off competition from the likes of Sainsbury’s and GSK, for their Race Together network which works to support members and colleagues to champion diversity at a society-wide level and accelerate systemic change to make Nationwide a more inclusive place for all, regardless of race or ethnicity.
Lloyds Banking Group, meanwhile, were honoured as the Outstanding Employer of the Year at the ceremony with organisers stating “the company is committed to building a fully inclusive environment, as ethnicity strategies are led from the top”. National Grid, BT and BP all just missed out here.
Elsewhere, Sir Mo Farah and Sir Lenny Henry were two of the big star winners on the night.
The ceremony, hosted by Loose Women star and comedian Judi Love, took place against the backdrop of a tumultuous year in the UK which has featured serious race storms, hate crimes and incidents of discrimination.
Celebrities and public figures, recognised as advocates who are working to progress equality, were honoured with accolades.
Sir Lenny Henry was awarded the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award as a committed leader in championing racial equality and standing up for communities across his life in the public eye while Sir Mo Farah won a Sports Trailblazer Award for his consistent, honest and important use of his platform to speak out against all forms of discrimination in order to advance the bringing about of real change.
Farah said: “In my career, I have always tried to be a great role model to the younger generation of colour and show them what is possible through hard work and trying your best.
“That’s all we can do. These awards are very important to recognise the hard work that goes into this.
“I’m thrilled to accept this award, thank you all. Love.”
Olympic star Dina Asher-Smith won the Sports Personality of the Year gong, handed to her by former heavyweight champion of the world David Haye, for candidly and honestly opening up about her experiences of racism with the belief that expressing yourself is a fundamental human right.
TV personality Alison Hammond scooped the Host of the Year prize, presented to her on stage by Ethnicity Awards host and fellow Loose Women star Love plus Paul Sinha from The Chase and Jess Austin from media partners Metro.
Emeli Sande, meanwhile, won the coveted Music Artist of the Year award which was handed to her by Sinitta. She said: “To be acknowledged for my contribution in the music field and fighting discrimination and equality, means so much to me.
“I wanted to say a massive, massive thank you.”
Former Yorkshire cricketer and campaigner Azeem Rafiq, who exposed a race scandal that engulfed cricket, was presented with a Media Impact Award on stage in what was a poignant moment on the night while Strictly Come Dancing icon Johannes Radebe collected the Burberry Inspirational Public Figure prize, handed to him by much-loved BBC Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts.
The big charity award was presented by glamourous Eastenders actress Gurlaine Kaur Garcha to Muslim Council of Britain for their work to empower Muslim communities to achieve a just, cohesive and successful British society. TV presenter Angellica Bell handed Naomi and Natalie Evans, who run social account Everyday Racism, with the Online Influencer of the Year accolade.
The likes of Dermot O’Leary, Shirley Ballas and Linda Robson all turned out in support while other winners on the night included Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson, who succeeded Sir Vince Cable in her Twickenham constituency, with the politician attending to collect the Public Service or Campaigner of the Year prize – handed out by Eastenders actress Nina Wadia.
Founder of the Ethnicity Awards, Sarah Garrett MBE, said:
“The 2022 Ethnicity Awards have taken place towards the end of a very poignant year. The events involving Chris Kaba, alone, show why Black and Ethnic Minority people, who are using their platform to make a difference and promote equality for all, deserve to be recognised and that is why the Ethnicity Awards remain as important as ever. All of the winners are incredibly deserving and it has been wonderful to recognise some of our true national treasures like Sir Mo Farah, Sir Lenny Henry, Alison Hammond and Dina Asher-Smith.”
Ian Stuart, CEO of HSBC UK, said:
“HSBC UK is incredibly proud to be the long-time founding partner of the Investing in Ethnicity Awards – recognising individuals and organisations advancing equality and opportunity for people from Black and ethnic minority communities.
“We value difference, and understand that an inclusive and diverse workforce is vital to building a successful, sustainable business. We are championing inclusivity, removing barriers, and seeking out views different from our own to open a world of opportunity for our people, customers and the wider communities we serve.
“It was another year of outstanding nominees — congratulations to all the winners and those shortlisted.”
The 2022 Ethnicity Award winners in full:
MUSIC ARTIST, Emeli Sandé
LEGAL & GENERAL – FUTURE LEADER, Rachel Henry
METRO – PRESENTER, JOURNALIST, OR HOST, Alison Hammond
NATIONAL GRID – WORKPLACE HERO, Tolu Falade
BP – NETWORK GROUP, RACE TOGETHER, Nationwide Building Society
ONLINE INFLUENCER, Naomi & Natalie Evans [Everyday Racism]
LLOYDS BANKING GROUP – CHAMPION (ALLY), Paul Plewman
CHARITY OR COMMUNITY INITIATIVE, Muslim Council of Britain
SPORTS PERSONALITY, Dina Asher-Smith
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC, Jamal Edwards MBE
PARAMOUNT – INSPIRATIONAL LEADER, Leon Donald
MACQUARIE – OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITIES, Hau-Yu Tam
PUBLIC SERVICE OR CAMPAIGNER, Munira Wilson MP
SPORTS TRAILBLAZER, Sir Mo Farah
TESCO – OUTSTANDING EMPLOYER, Lloyds Banking Group
BT – EXCEPTIONAL INCLUSION, Ade Rawcliffe
MEDIA PROGRESS MOMENT, Azeem Rafiq
BURBERRY – INSPIRATIONAL PUBLIC FIGURE, Johannes Radebe
HSBC UK – LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT, Sir Lenny Henry
