An array of distinguished business figures met in the capital last week to decide the British LGBT Awards corporate winners

The expert judging panel, which includes illustrious names across the banking, finance and legal sectors, came together to pick out winners for this year’s LGBT Corporate Rising Star, LGBT Network Group, Corporate Straight Ally, LGBT Inspirational Role Model, Employer of the Year and LGBT Diversity Champion.

Head judge Daniel Winterfeldt, Head of International Capital Markets and Diversity & Inclusion Partner at Cameron Mckenna, was joined by a number of industry experts such as Alison Berryman, Chief Operating Officer of Barclaycard; Andy Woodfield, Partner at PwC; Phillip O’Ferrall, Head of Velocity International & Senior Vice President of Viacom International Media Networks; Marjorie Strachan, Head of Inclusion at the Royal Bank of Scotland and Vinay Kapoor, head of Diversity and Inclusion at BNP Paribas.

Steve Wardlaw, Chairman of newly-launched LGBT insurance company, Emerald Life, was also announced as part of the panel this week. The judges were joined by Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Merseyside’s own Angela Eagle MP.

The Royal Bank of Scotland sponsored British LGBT Awards, dubbed Britain’s ‘gay Oscars’, will take place at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms on Friday 13 May.

The shortlist sees a number of global banking giants including Barclays, Citi and Goldman Sachs nominated for gongs. Law firm Clifford Chance, international computer firm IBM, global management consultants Accenture and supermarket chain Asda are also in the running for awards. Other leading business names nominated for awards include Mark Anderson, Managing Director of Virgin Holidays and Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever.

Meanwhile, a number of rising corporate stars have been shortlisted for awards, including Sarah Fennell, diversity and inclusion manager at HSBC and Andrew Barratt, former head of Ogilvy Pride.

Each nominee has been shortlisted for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace.

The judges will deliver their verdict to the organisers and the winners will be announced at the awards ceremony.

Judge Marjorie Strachan, head of Inclusion at RBS, the headline sponsor, said:

“It’s really exciting choosing the winners of such important categories. Some of the names shortlisted have really blazed a trail in promoting diversity and equality. We’re proud to be the headline sponsor of the British LGBT Awards for the fourth year running in 2016. Fundamentally, they acknowledge and reward those who deserve recognition for their outstanding commitment to the LGBT community. However, these awards are not just about celebrating the nominees and winners; they’re about creating a cultural shift towards acknowledging the benefit of inclusion and RBS want to be a part of that.”

Angela Eagle MP added:

“It is fantastic to be involved in the British LGBT Awards and join some of the biggest names from business and enterprise in deciding the 2016 winners. It is important that those making a difference in the workplace are recognised for their efforts”.

For more information, please visit: www.britishlgbtawards.co.uk