Meet the Soldiering On Awards Finalists: Defence Inclusivity – Sponsored by Landmarc

The Defence Inclusivity Award recognises the commitment and achievements of individuals and organisations in achieving greater diversity and inclusion throughout the Armed Forces community.

This year’s Finalists are:

Armed Forces Diversity Engagement Team

The Armed Forces Diversity Engagement Team raises awareness about the Armed Forces, creating safe spaces for open conversations around inclusion. The team challenges stereotypical perceptions and overcomes inclusion barriers with internal audiences. It engages and builds trusted relationships with key members of communities, including faith leaders and society influencers. The team’s robust professional network also includes members of business, academia, media, education, charity and statutory bodies.

Army LGBT+ Forum

The volunteer-run Army LGBT+ Forum raises awareness about issues of equality, diversity and inclusion. It offers many services, including social get-togethers, peer support and advice to the Diversity Team on the way Army policy affects LGBT people. It fosters a positive media image of inclusion within the Army and offers a mentoring scheme, truly making a difference in how the British Army embraces diversity & inclusion.  Find out more here.

Susan Coleman

As a key member of the Royal British Legion team in Brighton, Sue makes sure there is a safe environment open for any serving or ex-serving personnel of any sexuality to feel valued and be themselves. Her new position as the RBL’s Champion for LGBTQ will ensure that her fantastic work in Brighton is now replicated nationwide, and not just within the LGBTQ+ community, but across other minority groups too. Find out more here.

MoD Diversity Networks

There are 25 Defence Diversity Networks, covering race, gender, LGBT, faith/belief, parenting and disability. Each supports a minority group in the workplace and is run by volunteers who are passionate about making a difference for themselves and for others like them. They strive to educate their colleagues and the chain of command so that the MOD is a better place to work, with everyone welcomed and valued.

The Defence Inclusivity Award 2019 is generously sponsored by Landmarc. Steve Utley, Managing Director at Landmarc Support Services said:

“Here at Landmarc, our responsibility as a partner to the Armed Forces extends across all our activities, whether it’s providing the best training facilities for our serving troops or providing employment opportunities when personnel return to civilian life. Our People Strategy reinforces our commitment to ensuring all employees feel valued, enjoy good health and rewarding work, have access to personal and professional development opportunities and most of all, are treated fairly. A key objective of this strategy is to look at ways of increasing diversity in our workforce so that it is more reflective of the communities in which we operate. The progress that society has made to ensure ‘opportunities for all’ should not be underestimated but we need to keep the dialogue alive. By sponsoring the ‘Defence Inclusivity’ award, we hope to learn from the successes of our amazing Finalists and help to fly the flag for our inspirational servicemen and women and all those who support them. Congratulations Armed Forces Diversity Engagement Team, the Army LGBT Forum, Susan Coleman and MOD Diversity Networks.”

You can see our full list of Finalists in each category here, and don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter (if you haven’t already!) for regular updates on Finalists, Awards Night and how you can get involved!