Senior executives from around the world recently gathered in Datong, Shanxi Province in China, for the 2025 Belonging Awards, now regarded as one of Asia’s leading recognitions of progress in workplace diversity and inclusion.
Hosted by the Employer Branding Institute China, and sponsored by Rémy Cointreau with Jaguar Land Rover China as partner, the ceremony celebrated 72 companies that have gone beyond policy statements to embed belonging – the sense of being seen, valued and supported – at the heart of their corporate culture. While diversity and inclusion have long been corporate catchwords, the awards emphasised something deeper: belonging. The organisers define it as not just who is in the room, but whether every individual feels they truly matter once they are there.
“The best employers today aren’t just diverse, they’re cohesive,” said a spokesperson for the Employer Branding Institute. “They create cultures where people feel recognised, supported, and empowered to contribute fully.”
MEASURABLE & SUSTAINABLE BELONGING
The 2025 Belonging Awards were the result of a meticulous six-month evaluation. Nearly 700 companies from more than 50 countries across 97 industries submitted over 47,000 documents for consideration. Applications were assessed across 10 categories, 21 dimensions and 112 indicators, including talent pipeline diversity, psychological safety, inclusive leadership, internal mobility and public transparency.
From this rigorous process, 72 organisations emerged as winners, including global names such as Mercedes-Benz, Bosch, HSBC China, L’Oréal China, Carlsberg, Bayer, TCL, Jaguar Land Rover China and Rémy Cointreau. Each was recognised for creating measurable and sustainable belonging within their organisations.
BENEFITS OF INVESTING IN BELONGING
Recognition alone is not the end goal. For participants, the process provides benchmarking insights, helping organisations understand where they stand compared to peers and identify areas for improvement.
With growing global expectations around ESG, transparency, and corporate responsibility, initiatives like the Belonging Awards have become both ethical and strategic imperatives. “Investing in belonging isn’t just good for people, it’s good business,” said an HR leader from one of the winning companies. “It builds loyalty, drives innovation and strengthens resilience, especially in challenging markets.”
INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP MATTERS
The awards also underscore a broader shift in corporate culture. As younger generations prioritise authenticity and purpose, companies are moving away from rigid hierarchies toward inclusive leadership models that value every voice.
Winning companies demonstrated this through inclusive leadership training, transparent pay structures, mentorship programmes, and community initiatives. The judges emphasised that action, not just policy, is what distinguishes leaders in workplace belonging.
The Employer Branding Institute, a collaboration between HRflag and Wild Theory, represents over 2,000 members, including more than 300 Fortune Global 500 companies. Its mission is to make belonging measurable and meaningful, turning empathy into impact.
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS MATTERS
“The goal is to move from slogans to systems,” said the Institute’s organising committee. “Because inclusion only works when it’s part of the DNA of an organisation.”
For the 72 honourees, recognition comes with responsibility. The awards have set a high bar, and the message is clear: organisations that truly lead in belonging will define the future of work. As one judge put it: “Belonging is not a trend, it’s the future of leadership. It’s how we measure whether progress has truly reached the people it promises to serve.”
Check out the full list of winners in the logo board below.
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