This award celebrates an advocate who is championing action to improve the working experience, representation and engagement of underrepresented group/s and removing barriers in employment, all whilst serving as an inspiration to others. The champion will be able to demonstrate how they have led positive and innovative interventions to enable talented employees to realise their full potential as well as tackling bias. Judges will be looking for actions such as policy setting, hiring strategies, employee development and voice, community support, network creation, etc.

Nominations can be made by the individual’s peers or colleagues. The nominee may be working within an organisation and be able to demonstrate how they have shown leadership to build a more inclusive and fairer workplace, contributing to developing a culture that allows talented people to succeed, regardless of personal characteristics or background, and they may have increased access and championed an underrepresented group.

Alternatively, the person being nominated may be acting as an advocate working to change policy and practices across many organisations to improve access and the employment experience of underrepresented groups. They will be able to demonstrate the impact of their activities to remove barriers, minimise discrimination and increase representation