A CHILDREN'S charity and a Co Antrim tyre pressure monitor maker were among the big winners at the annual Northern Ireland Equality and Diversity Awards.
Now in their third year, the awards provide companies with an opportunity to showcase their commitment to advocating equality and diversity in their organisations.
Action For Children and global organisation, Sensata took home the 'Best Employer for Equality and Diversity in Northern Ireland' accolades for small and large organisations respectively.
Sensata Technologies, which makes sensors, switches and controls for multiple industries and has three sites in Co Antrim, won three awards on the night, coming top in the 'Best Race Initiative' category, while R&D process development leader, Catherine McGinnity was crowned the 'Individual Diversity Champion'.
Other winners at the prestigious ceremony held in Titanic Belfast last Friday night included Gilbert-Ash, recognised for the 'Best Gender Initiative' and Belfast Health & Social Care Trust, which won the 'Best Disability Initiative' award.
The 'Best LGBT Initiative' accolade went to Queen’s University Belfast, while in the new 'Best Initiative Impacting on Offenders or Ex-Offenders in Northern Ireland' category, Community Restorative Justice Ireland, Newry/Armagh was the winner.
Barry Phillips, chair of awards organiser, Legal Island congratulated all the winners in the eight award categories.
"The Northern Ireland Equality and Diversity Awards 2019 recognise the really good work that companies across Northern Ireland are doing in the important area of diversity, equality and inclusion," he said.
“These individuals and organisations view equality and diversity as much more than a legal tick box exercise. They value diversity and recognise the benefits it brings. By driving diversity in the workplace, they are helping to drive it in the community outside too. This can only be good for Northern Ireland."
Ciara Fulton, senior partner of awards sponsor, Jones Cassidy Brett added:
“In the absence of a Stormont Assembly, developments in equality law are being left to our courts and tribunals and we increasingly rely on employers to drive forward best practice in matters of equality and diversity. That’s why this event is so important, because it gives us the opportunity to recognise the fantastic work going on in workplaces throughout Northern Ireland which benefits not just employees, but also the wider community.”
