Best philanthropic initiative

This award recognises an exceptional philanthropic initiative that has demonstrated outstanding impact, innovation, and industry engagement. We seek to honour initiatives that have successfully raised funds, increased awareness, and inspired action for a cause.

Entries will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Motivation: The reason why the initiative was started.

• Impact: The extent to which the event generated significant funds or in-kind donations for the benefiting cause.

• Innovation: The creativity and originality of the initiative concept and execution.

• Community Engagement: The level of participation and involvement from the community and stakeholders.

• Measurable Outcomes: The ability to demonstrate the initiative’s impact through quantifiable results.

To strengthen your entry, please provide detailed information about the initiative, including its goals, target audience, budget, and outcomes.


Rising star changemaker of the year

This award recognises an individual, in the first few years of their finance career, who has made a significant and positive impact on their organisation or the industry through their commitment to diversity and inclusion. We seek to recognise those who have demonstrated exceptional contribution and driven tangible results in creating a more equitable workplace.

Candidates must demonstrate evidence of:

• Evidence of championing DE&I initiatives within the organisation.

• Measurable contributions to the organisation’s success through DE&I efforts.

• A proven ability to develop and implement innovative DE&I strategies.

• A focus on achieving tangible outcomes that advance DE&I goals.

• Effective partnership with colleagues to foster a more inclusive environment.

Candidates should also exhibit the following qualities:

• The ability to motivate and inspire others to embrace DE&I.

• A demonstrable impact on the organisation’s culture and practices.

To strengthen your nomination, please provide testimonials from others highlighting the candidate’s contributions to DE&I.


Talent pathway

This award recognises companies with initiatives that encourage candidates from a genuinely diverse background – be that related to gender, socioeconomics, race and/or physical and neurological diversity – into their organisation. We seek to recognise firms which can not only encourage new and diverse talent into the industry, but ensure they continue to progress their careers at the firm over the medium-to-long term.

Candidates must demonstrate evidence of:

• Evidence of inclusive hiring within the organisation

• Clear efforts to help diverse individuals thrive

• Initiatives which transcend monitoring CVs – perhaps through visiting schools and colleges for example, or finding appropriate and effective ways to engage with a more diverse cohort of talent

• A culture which encourages employees to be their ‘authentic selves’ at work.

To strengthen your nomination, please provide testimonials from colleagues, managers, or clients highlighting the candidate’s contributions to DE&I.


Paying it forward

This award is designed to honour teams that actively engage with their surrounding community or communities as part of their outreach efforts.

Judges will be assessing submissions for evidence of at least one of the following:

• Illustrations of how a team has made a positive difference in the local community or for individuals within it

• Programs aimed at enhancing opportunities or education for under-represented people

• Initiatives that provide access to industry expertise through staff volunteering

• Demonstrations of how this initiative serves as a force for good, elevating the industry’s reputation

To strengthen your entry you must include feedback from staff and the people in the community you have worked with, including testimonials, and demonstrable results of how the initiative has positively impacted them.


Trailblazer of the year

This award honours an individual demonstrating exceptional leadership in building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We seek to recognise those who have created a workplace that mirrors the communities they serve, fostering a culture where everyone feels valued, empowered, and can excel.

To be considered for this award, applicants must demonstrate:

• A clear connection between diversity and inclusion (DE&I) goals and the overall business strategy, showcasing how DE&I is integral to the organisation's culture.

• A proactive approach to creating a thriving diverse team, characterised by transparency and a commitment to ongoing success.

• Clear evidence of how DE&I initiatives drive tangible results beyond compliance or awareness-raising efforts.

• Defined methods for measuring the effectiveness of DE&I initiatives.

• Examples of how DE&I strategies influence company-wide policies and practices, such as recruitment, retention, development, and diversity data.

This award aims to recognise great DE&I initiatives across the board, including but not limited to: gender equality, race equality, sexual orientation equality, age equality, physical difference or disability, neuro diversity, social mobility and mental health.

To strengthen your entry, you must include 360 feedback or endorsements from others.


Financial inclusion

This award recognises firms or individuals who are helping to improve financial inclusion in the UK. The Government defines financial inclusion as individuals, regardless of their background or income, having access to useful and affordable financial products and services. Examples of areas of inclusion include financial education and numeracy, technology, commercial incentives and diversity and inclusion.

The judges will be interested in either specific campaigns or ongoing ways of doing business that are designed to broaden access to financial services and which are original and creative.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• The motivation behind the efforts

• The specific aspects of the campaign or approach

• The targets – and progress against them

• Plans for future evolution of the work

Building momentum

This award recognises companies who have noticeably accelerated their progress to be more inclusive over the previous year, whether from a standing start or by gathering momentum around a specific issue or dimension of diversity.

To be considered for this award, firms must show the ‘before’ and ‘after’, describe the motivation behind and details of the initiatives they have put in place and explain their planned next steps to build on the positive momentum.

The judges will be looking at the rate of change, rather than at the level – so this award is suitable for firms who are early in their journey, those who have been wrestling with a specific issue but now seeing progress or those at the ‘masterclass’ stage who have witnessed an encouraging breakthrough after years of little change.

To strengthen your entry please include feedback or endorsements (internal or external sources)


Role modelling and advocacy

This award recognises an inspiring individual who has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, role-modelling and advocacy in advancing diversity and inclusion within their organisation. We seek to recognise those who have served as inspiring role models, fostering a culture of belonging and equity.

Candidates must demonstrate evidence of: 

• A strong and consistent presence as a champion for DE&I within the organisation.

• A proven ability to guide and support the development of diverse talent.

• A significant impact on shifting organisational attitudes and behaviours towards DE&I.

• Demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

• Active participation in DE&I initiatives within and outside the organisation.

Candidates should also exhibit the following qualities:

• Authenticity: A genuine passion for diversity and inclusion.

• Impactful communication: The ability to articulate the importance of D&I to a wide audience.

To strengthen your nomination, please provide testimonials from others highlighting the candidate’s role modelling and advocacy efforts.