New Awards Shine Spotlight on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

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: Columba O'Hare; Category: News; Published: 28 January 2025

Pictured launching the inaugural Northern Ireland Hummingbird Awards are (L-R): Jude Copeland, Head Judge of the Awards and Legal Review Manager at Cleaver Fulton Rankin Solicitors; Professor Mary Hannon-Fletcher, Dean of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Ulster University; Michael Boyd OBE, Director of MB Consulting and Chair of Belfast Healthy Cities; and Alfie Wong MBE, Race and Ethnicity Champion of the NI Civil Service. — Pictured launching the inaugural Northern Ireland Hummingbird Awards are from left: Jude Copeland, Head Judge of the Awards and Legal Review Manager at Cleaver Fulton Rankin Solicitors; Professor Mary Hannon-Fletcher, Dean of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Ulster University; Michael Boyd OBE, Director of MB Consulting and Chair of Belfast Healthy Cities; and Alfie Wong MBE, Race and Ethnicity Champion of the NI Civil Service.

Local businesses and organisations have just days remaining to submit their entries for the first-ever Northern Ireland Hummingbird Awards, with submissions closing on Monday 3 February.

The groundbreaking awards programme celebrates excellence in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) across Northern Ireland's workplaces and communities. Winners will be honoured at a prestigious luncheon ceremony at Belfast City Hall in March.

Ten carefully selected categories will recognise achievements ranging from workplace initiatives to community projects. The Diverse Employer Award will celebrate organisations making strides in championing diversity at all levels, while the Innovation in Accessibility category will spotlight those creating more inclusive environments through innovative solutions.

Jude Copeland, Head Judge of the Awards and Legal Review Manager at Cleaver Fulton Rankin Solicitors, emphasised the awards' significance: "Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion within workplaces and communities is essential for creating environments where people of all backgrounds and abilities feel valued and empowered."

Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Micky Murray, who will host the inaugural ceremony at City Hall, encouraged widespread participation: "These awards provide a vital platform to highlight individuals, organisations, and communities that are actively creating spaces where everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, feels valued and empowered to contribute."

The Categories

Diverse Employer
Workplace EDI Champion
Marketing Campaign
Education for All
Allyship
Innovation in Accessibility
Community Project
Sustainability Champion
Inspirational Role Model
Supporting Neurodiverse Talent

The awards programme, supported by Ulster University, Encirc, and Love Belfast, is open to entries from across the public, private and community sectors throughout Northern Ireland.

Local organisations interested in submitting an entry can find full details and submission guidelines at www.nihummingbirdawards.com