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Business leaders and big brands lead 2020 HSBC UK Ethnicity Awards shortlist

The shortlist for the HSBC UK sponsored Ethnicity Awards has been announced today with an array of business leaders and big brands making the shortlist.

The awards, which are returning this year against the backdrop of the international Black Lives Matter movement, will recognise individuals and organisations with a track record of working to advance equality and opportunity for Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups in society.

Companies that are promoting opportunities for Black and minority ethnic groups including Tesco,Rolls-Royce, Lloyd Banking Group, NatWest Group and Legal and General are all in the running for accolades.

Argos, Nike, Ben & Jerry’s, John Lewis and Trapstar are amongst those shortlisted for the Brand Impact award.

Individuals including Annette Byron, a real estate partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and Karim Perrineau, who leads diversity and inclusion at global investment firm BNY Mellon, have also been nominated. Byron is the driving force behind FBD’s Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme, which addresses the underrepresentation of black and black mixed-race men from underprivileged backgrounds in large commercial law firms. Karim Perrineau has been widely praised for delivering a series of workshops on allyship and inclusivity in the workplace.

Public figures and big name celebrities including Little Mix stars Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock have been nominated for awards following their participation in the Black Lives Matter protests in London earlier this year. Manchester United star Marcus Rashford and Liverpool FC hero Trent Alexander-Arnold join names like Lewis Hamilton and Anthony Joshua in the running for the Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

A number of charities have also been nominated for awards including Black Minds Matter UK, Refugee Council and Show Racism the Red Card.

Founder of the Ethnicity Awards, Sarah Garrett MBE, said:

“The celebrities, public figures, business and brands on the shortlist, have all used their platforms to shine a light on the issues facing the Back and minority ethnic community in what has been a pivotal and poignant year so far. All of those nominated have done important work to advance equality and promote opportunity for all against the backdrop of the international Black Lives Matter movement and are incredibly deserving of this recognition.”

Ian Stuart, CEO of HSBC UK, Official Partners of the Ethnicity Awards said: “HSBC UK is proud to once again be the lead sponsor of the Investing in Ethnicity Awards – placing an important spotlight on the work being done to ensure that all people are afforded equal opportunity, regardless of race or ethnicity.

“We understand the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce, and know there is more we can and must do as employers to support racial equality in the workplace and across the UK more broadly. The calibre of nominations has been outstanding again this year – best of luck to all those shortlisted.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Helen Thorpe .