De Beers Group was recently highly commended in the Company of the Year category of the 2018 European Diversity Awards.

The awards, which “celebrate businesses, charities, celebrities and sports personalities who have made an outstanding contribution in these fields”, were distributed at a glittering ceremony at London’s Natural History Museum where about 800 people had gathered to cheer the honourees.

De Beers said that the Group was honoured “in a highly competitive shortlist of eight, featuring Barclays, Walt Disney, IATA and the winners, Deutsche Post DHL Group”.

Group Inclusion and Diversity, Talent and Organisational Effectiveness Manager Lachlan Pearman, who collected the award with Brand Communications Manager Letitia Weeks, said: “This is fantastic recognition of the effort, energy and focus of people all over the Group in enabling an inclusive culture where all employees can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. We know we have further to go, but we are making excellent progress.”

He added: “Central to our success has been the energy and investment of colleagues around the world in driving forward our commitment to standing with women and girls within our communities, across our business and through our brands.” 

Launched in 2010 by Square Peg Media, the awards this year were sponsored   by Heathrow. They have become one of the most respected diversity events in Europe, highlighting achievement in the areas of race, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, social background and belief.

In 14 other categories, winners included mental health fitness coach Steve Whitmore who picked up the Hero of the Year award; and Paralympic dressage gold medal winner Natasha Baker, who saw off a challenge from Olympic track star Sir Mo Farah to become Sports Personality of the Year. Television presenter Dr Ranj Singh was named Media Icon of the Year; and Debi Steven, founder of the Action Breaks Silence charity, was named Inspirational Role Model of the Year from a shortlist that included actor Sir Ian McKellen and BBC Radio 1 presenter Adele Roberts.

Pic Cap: Letitia Weeks and Lachlan Pearman collect the highly commended trophy at the awards ceremony.