Celebrating equality

Sep 1 2010 by Andrew Hebden, The Journal

THE roll-call of finalists for the prestigious annual awards celebrating equality and diversity in the North East is unveiled today.

The shortlist for the 2010 North East Equality Awards, which are supported by The Journal’s E&D campaign, includes leading organisations from the private, public and third sectors.

In their seventh year, the awards have become a significant fixture on the North East business calendar, highlighting and celebrating the good equality practice being carried out regionally.

The winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Friday, October 22, at the Gosforth Park Marriott Hotel in Newcastle.

Liz Reay, chief executive of Equality North East, the regional equality organisation behind the awards, said interest in the event was at a record high.

“Once again, we have had a record-breaking number of applications of a particularly high standard,” she said.

“The judges had a very hard time in selecting so all finalists need to be congratulated.

“Of course this year will see the implementation of the main provisions of the new Equality Act so it is heartening to find that once again employers in the North East are ‘ahead of the game’ as far as fairness and equality is concerned.

“The awards showcase organisations that are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to ensure they remove barriers facing employees or potential employees so that everyone can give of their full potential.”