The winners of the 2025 European Diversity Awards (EDAs) were announced at a ceremony in London on Friday 7th November, celebrating individuals and organisations driving progress in diversity, equity and inclusion across Europe.
Now in its 16th year, the event – held at the InterContinental London Park Lane and headline sponsored by Optum – brought together more than 600 guests from business, politics, media and civil society. Hosted by Kamali Melbourne and Gillian Joseph, the evening recognised achievements across a wide range of sectors, from business and education to the arts and community projects.
These awards honour those making measurable impact in advancing equality, representation and belonging. Categories this year included social mobility, disability inclusion, gender equality and LGBTQ+ visibility.
CELEBRATING ALLYSHIP & BELONGING
Among the major winners, Munich Re was named Company of the Year, sponsored by DHL Group, for embedding diversity and inclusion across its global operations. ScottishPower’s In-FUSE network won Outstanding LGBTQIA+ Network of the Year, sponsored by myGwork, recognised for its work creating visibility, allyship and belonging.
Individual honours went to David Lawlor of Kellanova, who was named Inspirational Role Model of the Year, sponsored by Allianz Commercial, and Florence Henderson of Moody’s, who received Head of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging of the Year, sponsored by Haleon.
A FAIRER CONNECTED EUROPE FOR ALL
The Social Mobility Initiative of the Year award went to AMS for its Skills Creation programme, opening pathways for underrepresented talent. Cinema Without Barriers, run by the ZAMEK Culture Centre in Poznań, was named Community Project of the Year for promoting accessibility in film.
Music legend Boy George received the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by De Beers Group, recognising his four-decade contribution to visibility and inclusion for the LGBTQIA+ community. The ceremony also featured a live performance from Beverley Knight, whose powerful set was one of the evening’s highlights.
“Each year, the European Diversity Awards celebrate those who are driving real change — people and organisations proving that inclusion isn’t just an idea, it’s action,” said EDA’s founder Linda Riley. “This year’s winners truly embody that spirit. Their work is helping to build a fairer, more connected Europe for everyone.”
2025’S EUROPEAN DIVERSITY AWARDS WINNERS
This year’s European Diversity Awards, winners and highly commended, by category include:
Community Project of the Year, sponsored by CBRE
Winner: Cinema Without Barriers, ZAMEK Culture Centre in Poznań
Highly Commended: Academy for Disabled Journalists (ADJ), Ability Today
HR Champion of the Year, sponsored by Sanofi
Winner: Andy Goff, Capgemini
Highly Commended: Emily Lofting-Kisakye, Cognita Schools
Social Mobility Initiative of the Year, sponsored by Denova Legal Services
Winner: AMS Skills Creation, AMS
Highly Commended: Sanofi NextGen Scholarship, Sanofi
Charity or Not-for-Profit of the Year, sponsored by Optum
Winner: IMANcorp FOUNDATION
Diversity Team of the Year, sponsored by Paramount
Winner: Executive MBA (EMBA) Team, Cambridge Judge Business School
Highly Commended: DEI Team, Munich Re
Outstanding Employee Network, sponsored by Globalinclusivity.org
Winner: Well-being Employee Resource Group, HSBC Innovation Banking
Highly Commended: Carers Network, Centrica
Outstanding LGBTQIA+ Network of the Year, sponsored by myGwork
Winner: In-FUSE, ScottishPower
Highly Commended: Proud@Sainsbury’s, Sainsbury’s
Outstanding Ethnicity Network of the Year, sponsored by The Voice
Winner: GLOBE International, Gilead Sciences
Highly Commended: Race Equality Network, University of Birmingham
Outstanding Ability Network of the Year, sponsored by Centrica
Winner: Capability, Capgemini
Highly Commended: Critable Community, Criteo
Outstanding Women’s Network of the Year, sponsored by Sedulo
Winner: CBRE UK Women’s Network, CBRE
Highly Commended: Connected Women, ScottishPower
Changemaker of the Year, sponsored by EmployAbility
Winner: Melissa Brette Ogée, Hyatt UK & Ireland
Highly Commended: Adelle Barker, Sky UK Ltd
Inspirational Role Model of the Year, sponsored by Allianz Commercial
Winner: David Lawlor, Kellanova
Highly Commended: Raj Jones
Head of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging of the Year, sponsored by Haleon
Winner: Florence Henderson, Moody’s
Highly Commended: Jennifer MacDonald, Royal Academy of Engineering
Diversity Champion of the Year, sponsored by Abercrombie & Fitch
Winner: Kat McGurk, Flutter
Highly Commended: Deon Pillay, Legal & General
Company of the Year, sponsored by DHL Group
Winner: Munich Re
Highly Commended: Sanofi
Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by De Beers Group
Winner: Boy George
Check out the full list of 2025’s EDA finalists here.
RELATED ARTICLES
Check out 2024’s European Diversity Awards winners here.
Check out 2024’s European Diversity Awards finalists here.
Check out 2023’s European Diversity Awards here.
Check out 2023’s European Diversity Awards finalists here.
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