Evenbreak, the world’s first global disability job board run by and for disabled people, has seen a landslide of summer award shortlists and a prestigious accreditation, culminating in four potential trophies and national recognition for their dedication to being the very best in inclusive employment.
After two months of assessment, the business is proud to announce it has been accredited with an RNIB Visibly Better Employer Quality Standard. This recognises that the business has become a better and more inclusive employer for people with sight loss.
With only one in four people of working age with sight loss in employment and around 11,000 people with sight loss in the UK actively seeking work, Evenbreak is hugely passionate about improving these figures, both through its own business and also working with global businesses to support and employ the sight loss community.
Talking about the accreditation, Jane Hatton, CEO and Founder of Evenbreak, said:
“All of the Evenbreak team have lived experience of disability, and we want to make sure we attract and retain the very best talent by removing any barriers they might face in recruitment and employment practices. People with sight loss are far too often excluded from the workplace, and we wanted to ensure we could access that pool of talent. The Visibly Better Employer standard helped us to check our processes for any barriers, and then let people with sight loss know that we are open to their skills.”
As well as this coup, Evenbreak has also been shortlisted for the following awards:
OnRec Awards 2023 under the Niche Job Board category which will be announced on 14th September.
UK Social Enterprise Awards 2023 – shortlisted for the category of Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Justice Award which will be announced on 30th November 2023.
The Global Recruiter UK Awards 2023 under the Best Innovation category which will be announced on 14th November.
The Go Global Awards 2023, held in Rhode Island, USA, which will be announced on 8th November
Evenbreak, Founder and CEO, Jane Hatton, added: “Our team works incredibly hard to open up opportunities for the disabled community in the employment market so to get credit and acknowledgment for this is hugely motivating for us all. We very much look forward to adding to our burgeoning trophy cabinet and supporting even more businesses and candidates going forward.”
VisionTrack, the global provider of AI video telematics and connected fleet data, has scooped a Gold Stevie® Award in the Transportation category at the International Business Awards®. The company has been recognised for transforming road safety following the launch earlier this year of AI post-analysis software, NARA.
NARA represents a huge step forward for AI video telematics as it uses ground-breaking computer vision models with sensor fusion to assess footage. The AI-powered post-analysis tool is changing how collisions, near misses and driving events are reviewed and monitored by automatically analysing vehicle camera footage, without the need for human involvement. It is part of VisionTrack’s commitment to developing sophisticated AI solutions that target fleet risk, road safety and insurance improvements.
Using NARA, fleets can make best use of video telematics insight to better protect road users and help prevent collisions. Advanced object recognition takes advantage of deep learning algorithms to identify vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and road signs/traffic lights, taking seconds to distinguish between collisions, near misses, and false positives. The software also includes Occupant Safety Rating that uses a range of parameters to calculate the probability of injury and immediately identify if a driver needs assistance.
Discussing the VisionTrack entry, one judge commented: “NARA is an innovative approach to leveraging AI and machine learning in the transportation sector. The software addresses critical challenges in fleet safety and operational efficiency, demonstrating transformative potential in road safety, driver protection, risk mitigation, and claim management. The solution provides tangible value to its users and has significant potential for wide-scale adoption in the transportation industry, making it an impactful contribution to road safety and fleet management.”
Simon Marsh, CEO of VisionTrack said: “Our cloud-based NARA software is a true game changer in the world of video telematics as it is helping fleets to save time, costs and most importantly lives, by providing proactive risk intervention and accurate incident validation. This latest international award recognises our success in developing AI innovation and underlines our position at the forefront of the video telematics sector.”
The International Business Awards (IBA) are the world’s premier business awards program. All individuals and organizations worldwide – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small – are eligible to submit nominations. The 2023 IBAs received entries from organisations in 61 nations and territories. Winners will be celebrated during a gala banquet at the Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria Hotel, in Rome, Italy on Friday, 13 October.
Leading law firm Ison Harrison has been shortlisted for two awards at the Yorkshire Legal Awards, one of the legal sector’s most prestigious industry events.
The firm is in the frame in the Law Firm of the Year (medium) and Corporate and Commercial Law Firm categories. Ison Harrison won the medium law firm of the year accolade last year and this is the third successive year that the firm has been shortlisted for the award.
The awards ceremony takes place on 5 October in Leeds.
This latest achievement follows Ison Harrison’s successful transition to becoming entirely employee owned at the beginning of 2022 when the three shareholder directors agreed to sell the business to an Employee Ownership Trust. The firm’s corporate and commercial division is also on track to post its best year following an increase in transactional values combined with a growing headcount.
2022 was a record year for the firm with turnover in the company & commercial division up 67% on the previous year. So far in 2023, the department’s turnover is 78% higher than the same period in 2022 and the team has grown to 29 people, requiring additional office space in the Leeds City Centre head office to accommodate the additional recruits.
Ison Harrison, which has a network of seventeen offices throughout the region, was founded in 1978. With an annual turnover of over £20 million, the firm has become a well-known regional practice offering the broadest range of legal services to thousands of people and businesses in the region. The firm opened its newest office in Wakefield in September 2022 with plans for future expansion in the region.
Jonathan Wearing, managing director at Ison Harrison, commented: “After our most successful year in our history last year, we are already on track to exceed those achievements in 2023. We are proud to be shortlisted once again as the medium law firm of the year and hope we can defend the title. To be shortlisted in the corporate and commercial category is testament to the achievements of the division which continues to go from strength to strength. It’s a major achievement and recognition for the hard work put in by all our team.
“Becoming a 100% employee-owned business has proved to be a defining moment in our journey as a firm, providing stability for all of our dedicated staff and the perfect platform for further growth.”
Richard Coulthard, head of corporate and commercial at Ison Harrison, added: “It’s an honour to be shortlisted which comes off the back of three years of continued growth of the division and some really exciting recent developments such as the promotion of Ben Palmer to partner and the appointment of specialist corporate mergers and acquisitions lawyer Victoria Boid, further boosting the firm’s company and commercial law team offering. With transaction values in the corporate team increasing significantly and the team developing a specialism advising on employee ownership transition, 2023 looks like being our best year to date and we look forward to the awards outcome later this year.”
Ison Harrison currently hold 13 Law Society accreditations including Conveyancing Quality, Clinical Negligence, Children Law, Family Law, Immigration & Asylum, and SRA Higher Courts Rights – civil and criminal.
“This provides all of our current and future clients with an increased peace of mind that all of our projects and staff adhere to the strictest of safety measures.”
ONE of the North’s leading and fastest growing tech businesses is celebrating after receiving an award which recognises the level of safety built into the services they provide.
The Connectus Group – which is building gigabit speed full fibre networks around Gateway East Doncaster, Wirral and Liverpool waters, Media City and other selected business parks across the north of England – has been awarded Safe Contractor accreditation.
The safe contractor awards certification was granted following a lengthy and detailed audit of all Connectus’ currently existing safety systems.
It is based on records from thousands of projects which have been safely delivered over the past 17 years of trading by Connectus, who are acclaimed for providing services which boost connection, protection and collaboration for its clients.
Commenting, Pip Shelton Operations Director at Connectus, said: “I am really proud of our team for their outstanding health and safety records. As we continue on our growth journey, being a Certified Safe Contractor provides all of our current and future clients with an increased peace of mind that all of our projects and staff adhere to the strictest of safety measures.”
Details of the award come just weeks after it was announced Connectus is helping accelerate connectivity inside one of the region’s most exciting business hubs.
In an exciting new partnership Connectus is delivering, designing, building and operating Gigabit capable services to the landlord and tenants at the Green Park Business Centre in York.
At present the site only has DSL services available which max out at 11 Mbps. But by turbo-charging the level of service to 1000 Mbps to each of the site’s tenants, those based on the site will now be able to operate in a far more efficient way.
The partnership with the Green Park Business Centre is the latest indicator of Connectus’ accelerating growth.
Earlier this month it was announced the company had secured new funding with TimeFinance in a deal which will help the company expand and grow even further.
Connectus will use Time Finance’s revolving credit facility to help fund an “exciting new phase” of our development that is set to include expansion, additional staff hires and new acquisitions.
The industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Employer Awards – powered by headline sponsors HSBC UK, first direct, M&S Bank and Peppy – has named the finalists ahead of the Awards ceremony onThursday September 14, 2023 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
The prestigious event will celebrate and recognise excellence among organisations and individuals going above and beyond to support menopause in the workplace. Hosted by broadcaster and menopause champion Louise Minchin, 350 guests will attend in person while hundreds more will join via live link from across the country.
Organised by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards comprise 11 categories that recognise organisations, teams and individuals who have successfully changed the lived experience of menopause in the workplace. As well as celebrating their achievements, the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards aims to raise £100,000 for a range of menopause-related charities, programmes and research.
“The standard of this year’s Awards entries has been phenomenal – employers have significantly raised the bar in terms of their creativity, innovative approach and, importantly, making a positive impact in their workplace,” says DeborahGarlick,CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in The Workplace.
The Awards have attracted a wealth of menopause friendly members keen to sponsor the categories and tables. Taking their place alongside the headline sponsors are Accenture, BAE Systems, Boots and No7 Beauty Company, Bristol Myers Squibb, British Airways, Lloyds Banking Group, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Theramex and Vitabiotics.
“As the first organisation to be awarded The Menopause Friendly Accreditation we know first-hand the positive impact and the importance of being a menopause friendly workplace,” says Chris Pitt, CEO of first direct. “These awards are a great opportunity for people to learn from one another, with best practice tips being shared among guests to encourage an open dialogue and positive change.”
“We believe employers have a crucial role to play in breaking down the taboo and filling the gap in health and wellbeing care for those experiencing menopause,” says Kathy Abernethy, Chief Nursing Officer & Clinical Director Menopause Services, Peppy. “Raising the profile of businesses who have shown themselves to be real agents of change as these Awards set out to do, is an important part of encouraging and inspiring other businesses to recognise their role and join the movement to make a difference.”
The Menopause Friendly Employer Awards were judged by the Menopause Friendly Independent Panel who were looking particularly for the impact achieved within the workplace. The finalists in each category follow below.
“The Independent Panel had a tough job selecting the finalists from such a strong field and judging went into a second day, such was the number of entries and exceptionally high quality of applications,” continues Deborah. “I would like to thank the Independent Panel for their expertise and passion and feel reassured that every finalist is deserving of their recognition.
“I would also like to thank all the employers and individuals for taking time to enter the Awards and extend my congratulations to all the finalists. There is no doubt that their remarkable work and dedication is changing hearts and minds to improve people’s lived experience of menopause in the workplace.”
One of Wales’s leading hotels, the four-star deluxe Park Plaza Cardiff, is celebrating after its eco-friendly measures and first-class service were recognised with a prestigious industry accreditation.
Following a rigorous review process, the illustrious city centre hotel has been awarded the esteemed global Green Key Accreditation in recognition of its concerted sustainable practices and progressive environmental policies. This means that as well as relaxing in luxury, guests can enjoy their stay ‘guilt-free’ knowing that they are in a hotel that prioritises sustainability.
The sought-after Green Key certificate is the leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry and is recognised in more than 60 countries worldwide. The prestigious credential represents a commitment by businesses to uphold the strict criteria set by the Foundation for Environmental Education which is maintained through frequent and thorough assessments.
Park Plaza Cardiff, which is one of only a handful of Welsh hotels to have achieved the endorsement, has established an environmental committee made up of hotel team members and implemented a stringent environmental policy action plan which the hotel will update each year to incorporate further sustainable practices.
Director of Sales and Revenue Stephanie Millard said: “At Park Plaza Cardiff we believe that it is perfectly possible to combine exceptional luxury hospitality with being environmentally friendly and we are devoted to continuously reducing our impact on the planet. In order to achieve this, we make conscious choices and implement sustainable policies to shape the social responsibility throughout the hotel. We also challenge our suppliers to observe this ethos and expand their own environmentally friendly culture.
“This achievement would not have been possible without the input of every one of our fantastic team, however, a special mention should be made to our Maintenance Manager Andrew Bickers and Finance Director Alison Skinner for their contribution in overseeing and upholding the changes.
“Receiving the internationally recognised Green Key is an honour that reflects our ongoing green commitments and endorses our efforts to provide a first-class sustainable experience within the tourism sector in Cardiff.”
Replacing single-use plastic mini toiletries with multiuse dispensers, swapping light bulbs to LED and energy efficient alternatives, using motion sensors for lighting in certain areas of the property and separating waste are just some of the measures introduced to ensure guests enjoy an eco-stay. The hotel also uses eco marked cleaning products and maintains flower planters in outside spaces.
The entire team has received training on environmentally friendly practices for them to use at work and at home. They are all knowledgeable about the local green spaces, bike hire and electric car charging points so they feel confident offering this advice to guests.
The Laguna Kitchen & Bar endeavours to use as many locally sourced products as possible including items from the Welsh sustainable enterprise ‘Grounds for Good’. All the menus are varied offering vegan and vegetarian items to encourage guests to consider the environment whilst enjoying our wonderful hospitality.
Hotels, small accommodations, campsites, holiday parks, conference centres, restaurants and attractions are eligible for Green Key credentials. The team at Park Plaza Cardiff would encourage as many businesses as possible to engage and make a difference.
Dame Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England, visited Northampton General Hospital today to congratulate its nursing teams on achieving an international quality standard.
The hospital has achieved the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Pathway to Excellence reaccreditation after becoming the first hospital in England to achieve the standard in 2018.
Dame Ruth May said: “I am delighted that Northampton General Hospital has achieved Pathway to Excellence® redesignation. It is an incredible achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication of all nursing colleagues at the Trust.
“This recognition demonstrates a strong commitment to championing nursing excellence. Through this, we can empower nursing professionals and, most importantly, support them to deliver high quality patient care.”
NGH Chief Executive Heidi Smoult said: “I am delighted that our nursing and nursing associate teams are the first in the UK to achieve Pathway to Excellence® redesignation, a huge achievement.
“It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional patient care, a positive work environment for nurses and nursing associates, and for delivering excellence in nursing practice.
“I am so proud of the teams, who have created a culture and environment across our hospital where our people are empowered to thrive and flourish.”
As part of the Pathway to Excellence® programme, over the last five years the nursing teams at the hospital have worked on implementing positive changes to patient care and the working environment, including:
Improving end-of-life care for patients and their families – This was a project led by the hospital’s Deputy Lead Nurse for Palliative Care, Kerry Messam, which involved looking at all aspects of end-of-life-care and making improvements including dedicated end-of-life Swan Rooms (this led to a Chief Nursing Officer Silver Award and to Kerry being invited to meet the Prime Minister at a Downing Street reception on NHS75 July 5.)
Pastoral support for overseas nurses joining NGH – In May the hospital achieved the NHS Pastoral Care Quality Award for International Nurses to recognise its commitment to providing exceptional support for staff moving to work in the UK from overseas including language support, cultural awareness training, and access to support networks and resources.
Established 40 Shared Decision-Making Councils across the organisation which enable front-line nurses to be involved in the making of decisions which affect patient care and their working lives.
Establishing a nurse-led violence and aggression reduction group – which works to offer support to all members of staff who experience upsetting incidents and helps develop ways to reduce the risks of violence and aggression
Fully supported the pioneering Professional Nurse Advocate role set up to support nurses in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. NGH now has recruited 35 PNAs who listen, understand and support nurses in ways that improve their wellbeing, encourage nurses to stay in the NHS, and help them to improve patient care.
Dame Ruth May and Staff Nurse Fummi Yakubu cutting the celebratory cake
NGH’s Director of Nursing, Nerea Odongo, said: “Over the past five years our nursing teams have continued to go from strength-to-strength and our reaccreditation for Pathway to Excellence is evidence of this.
“This recognition highlights our commitment to providing exceptional care to our patients and creating a workplace that empowers our nursing professionals.
“We are incredibly proud of our nursing staff and their unwavering dedication to delivering outstanding healthcare services.”
Pathway to Excellence® assesses healthcare organisations based on nursing practice standards, nurse satisfaction, patient outcomes, and the overall work environment for nurses.
As part of reaccreditation all of the hospital’s nurses and nursing associates were asked a series of questions. NGH passed the survey with flying colours achieving rates significantly higher than the set standards. (see editor’s notes)
During Dame May’s visit the hospital was able to showcase some of its ongoing work in nursing leadership, safety, quality, shared decision-making, wellbeing, and professional development.
At the event Dame May told staff: “I am in awe of the way you have all worked together to achieve redesignation. I plan to take some of the learning showcased here today to the national level.”
Leading timber supplier Premier Forest Products is celebrating after being shortlisted for two prestigious industry awards.
Premier Forest has been shortlisted in the Panels Trader of the Year and Softwood Importer of the Year categories at the annual Timber Trades Journal (TTJ) Awards.
The TTJ Awards have been running since 1997 and the 2023 event will also celebrate the 150th anniversary of TTJ. Winners will be announced at the Hilton London Bankside on 15th September.
There are voted for and judged categories, the voted categories recognise service excellence and product quality across the timber industry. Premier Forest’s two nominations are voted for categories. Voting is open to customers throughout the supply chain and they can vote for up to two companies per category.
Terry Edgell, Co-founder & CEO of Premier Forest Products said, “We’re very pleased to have been shortlisted for two categories at this year’s TTJ Awards.
“These are the only industry awards voted for by customers so to be nominated in two categories means a lot to us as a business. It shows that the emphasis we place on customer satisfaction is being recognised and the team’s hard work and dedication is paying off.”
Premier Forest Products is engaged in the importation, processing, merchanting and wholesale distribution of timber and timber products from multiple sites across the UK.
VisionTrack, the global provider of AI video telematics and connected fleet data, has been recognised at the TITAN Innovation Awards. The company was a Silver winner in the Innovation in Technology – Transport Technology category for the launch of its AI-powered, post-analysis solution, NARA, which is revolutionising how vehicle camera footage is assessed and fleets are approaching road safety.
The cloud-based NARA software is a true game changer in the world of video telematics, using ground-breaking computer vision models with sensor fusion to automatically analyse footage of driving events, near misses and collisions, without the need for human involvement. This is helping vehicle operators better use video telematics insight, through proactive risk intervention and accurate incident validation, to save time, costs and most importantly lives.
The TITAN Innovation Awards, organised by International Awards Associate (IAA), honour and recognise innovative excellence of individuals and organizations. From groundbreaking designs to transformative campaigns, cutting-edge services and solutions, the awards are a celebration of revolutionary designs and concepts worldwide. A jury panel consisting of leading international professionals, including business leaders from the US, Germany, Chile and Turkey, was tasked with identifying the pioneering technological advances.
Simon Marsh, CEO of VisionTrack commented: “We are delighted to receive international recognition for the development we are undertaking in video telematics. By using increasingly sophisticated and innovative AI technologies we are making it possible to transform how fleets protect their drivers, improve road safety and mitigate risk. Huge congratulations must go to our team, who are continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible.”
As demand rises for companies to demonstrate their diversity and inclusivity, the annual Inclusive Companies Top 50 (IT50) survey offers an unprecedented opportunity for businesses to benchmark how well they’re doing. Importantly, all those who complete the survey receive a the option to undertake a 30-minute feedback meeting with a leading D&I consultant to help them identify areas of improvement and progression.
The survey looks at all levels within an organisation including Executive Board, Senior Management, Middle Management and Whole Workforce. This makes it a thorough and true reflection of how an organisation is performing in respect of its diversity and inclusion. Businesses need to provide evidence of inclusivity practices across a range of areas, including recruitment and training.
The completed surveys are reviewed and analysed by an independent advisory panel of D & I experts who look at all areas of diversity, including culture, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, LGBTQ+ and religion. All the findings are then compiled into the annual Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List and (known as the IT50 List).
Be included this year: deadline August 18, 2023!
Now in its eighth year, the IT50 List is the definitive cross-industry index which harnesses both best practice and innovation. The deadline for completing the 2023 survey is fast approaching on Friday August 18, 2023.
Businesses can register to complete the survey here:
The IT50 survey is accessible to all Inclusive Companies members: employers who are not yet signed up simply need to register to enjoy a comprehensive suite of services and resources including tool kits, webinars, access to successful case studies and join a growing community of like-minded businesses.
Learning curve
While placing in the Top 50 is important to businesses, the true value of taking part lies in the opportunity it brings to learn, develop and progress, encouraged by the best practice of other companies with a thriving, diverse and flexible workforce. The most successful companies complete the survey year-after-year to track their progress and improve their ranking.
“The key purpose of the IT50 List is as a learning experience which is why we feedback to each and every organisation who completes the survey,” says Paul Sesay, CEO of Inclusive Companies. “Year-on-year we see companies return having taken on board previous feedback to improve their practice, introduce new ideas and progress further. In addition, there is always something for businesses to learn from our growing community of inclusive companies who generously share their approaches with other organisations, recognising the benefit of supporting others.”
West Midlands Fire Service who, after regularly climbing the list, achieved first place in 2022 said: “The IT50 List is an incredibly valuable external measure of our progress across all areas of diversity and challenges us to innovate constantly in our drive to move inclusion forward. It’s had a huge impact on our organisation seen very clearly in the pride of our staff. We also have clear evidence that our participation and placing on the IT50 List have had an impact in attracting the diverse talent we need to thrive as a modern organisation.’
Impact of inclusion
Being inclusive makes business sense. More diverse organisations, with a strong inclusive ethos, perform better and are seen as desirable places to work. Colleagues are valued, encouraged to contribute and are happy. These places are now, rightly, in the public attention as the IT50 List shows the top performers in the UK, highlighting those with the best practice and innovation across all protected characteristic groups. These top organisations value diversity in their workplace and reap the rewards for investing in this ethos.
The Yorkshire Charity Touchstone, which ranked second in the 2022 IT50 List, said: “We work with diverse communities and prioritise that our workforce is inclusive, supportive and fully represents our communities. Our work with Inclusive Companies is so valuable. We are continually supported and this is reflected in our ongoing development and ability to share our inclusive work more widely.”
Join the ranks of diverse and inclusive companies
The list of organisations contributing and testing their performances in an independent arena has grown massively over the past seven years. It sees many entries from both Public and Private sectors, ranging from NHS Trusts to utility companies, the emergency services to building societies and IT consultants to educational establishments. Last year saw new entries from Allianz, Canon, Rolls-Royce, Humberside Police, CGI, Crown Commercial Organisation, TransUnion, NielsenIQ, Novuna, and the Open University among others.
Auto Trader UK has been ranked in the IT50 List for the last five years and said: “It is very important to participate in the IT50, not only as a celebration of the recognition of the incredible work we do, but as a powerful reminder that we can always do more. Being part of the wider Inclusive Companies community over the years has been a fantastic opportunity for us to network and learn from other businesses who are also driving forward to make their organisations more inclusive.”
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