Equality and diversity champions crowned in Liberate awards

Wednesday 21 March 2018

Five Channel Island firms were celebrated for placing inclusivity at the heart of what they do as part of Liberate's second Equality and Diversity Awards.

BCR Law, the first DIFERA accredited law firm in the Channel Islands, was named “Best Small to Medium Employer” for businesses of up to 80 employees.

Wendy Lambert, Partner at BCR Law, said: “Our enrolment in the DIFERA scheme was a great opportunity to be assessed independently by a ground-breaking charity and to be educated further about diversity and inclusion. We have a thriving team and believe that this initiative will only help the positive culture of the firm to continue. We consider that our membership of the Scheme will be viewed positively by staff, recruits and clients alike and hope that even more Jersey businesses will join DIFERA during 2018.”

The 'Best Medium to Large Employer (more than 80 employees)' award went to Deloitte after the judging panel were moved by the personal stories of two employees who had been supported by Deloitte’s inclusion initiatives for Muslim employees and women.

The CI Co-Op was named 'Best Service Provider' for their autism hour which the panel said was "a genuine attempt to include an excluded minority in a day-to-day activity." 

Guernsey College of Further Education took home the award for 'Best Educational Initiative', as the depth and variety of educational activities undertaken by the college to promote inclusion across the campus impressed the judging panel.

Helping Wings Jersey won 'Best Not-for-Profit Support Initiative' after the small charity tried to get permissions for a hand control for people with lower limb disability.

Liberate presented a Special Award to the States of Guernsey, Alderney and Jersey in recognition of their work in introducing same-sex marriage legislation to the Channel Islands. The Liberate Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Margaret McDonaugh MBE for her service to youth theatre projects in Guernsey.

Liberate CEO Vic Tanner Davy said: “The winners are organisations of different sizes, working in different industries, supporting different minorities and in different Bailiwicks. Appropriately, our winners are as diverse as the groups they are helping.

"Again, the judging panel had a difficult task and almost all the categories came down to a split decision. The quality of work being undertaken across the islands is outstanding and Liberate are pleased to provide the platform on which to celebrate it.”