SPONSORED BY CF FERTILISERS
DIVERSITY AWARD
Reward - CEO Neeraj Sharma received the Diversity Award from Martin Liddle , of category sponsor CF Fertilisers , on behalf of everyone at Daisy Chain .
WINNER
DAISY CHAIN
Winning the Diversity category at the second annual Tees Business Awards can only help Daisy Chain get more autistic and neurodiverse people on the right employment path .
That was the message from Neeraj Sharma , CEO of the Norton-based charity , who believes winning the award can only help increase awareness among the business community of the needs of people with hidden disabilities .
He said : “ This is amazing for Daisy Chain because for probably the last 10 years , we ’ ve had to force our foot through the door for adults with hidden disabilities . Some of the hurdles and barriers they face are immense .
“ A lot of young people find it extremely hard to move into employment , getting past the hurdle of the interview and making their way through the employment minefield .
“ If you ’ re neurodiverse and live in the Tees Valley and you ’ re autistic , you have the highest rate of unemployment of any other minority group .
“ We provide a lot of training and support for employers to make the right recruitment decisions . We also have conversations with employers about what they can do to sustain staff that are going through diagnosis as adults and have had their whole life without any assessment or recognition that they are autistic or neurodiverse .
“ Winning the award means it ’ s an easier conversation to have with employers about why they need to be more inclusive around hidden disabilities , and understand they ’ re really important , that the world is changing , and they need to make those adaptations to the workplace .”
SPONSOR ’ S REFLECTIONS :
Martin Liddle , general manager , CF Fertilisers “ There were three very deserving finalists this year but , having witnessed the impact of the work Daisy Chain does first-hand through our community outreach group , we were delighted to see the charity recognised for their incredible work and commitment to creating opportunities for the neurodiverse community .”
FINALIST TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY
Equality and diversity are embedded in all the work undertaken at Teesside University – an approach reflected in all the university ’ s values and behaviours and reinforced by specific values of embracing diversity and actively opposing prejudice .
Achieving diversity goes beyond just meeting a legal obligation – it involves fostering an inclusive culture in which individuals from different backgrounds feel welcome , respected and empowered . The university also has significant role models and exceptional employees who display motivation , innovation and commitment to equality , diversity and inclusion .
However , its work in this space goes beyond the organisation and sector , with the university invited to share best practices with other employers .
FINALIST
MOONRISE 24HR RECRUITMENT
Diversity finalists for a second successive year , Stockton-based healthcare agency Moonrise 24hr Recruitment is the epitome of diversity , boasting a staff team of more than 200 people from different backgrounds , ethnicities and religions .
Led by founder Jessica Gwaringa , who is originally from Zimbabwe , Moonrise does not discriminate against anybody through its recruitment and beyond in further personal development while employed with the company .
And due to the diversity of staff both in the office and in the community , its skilled and compassionate team has the knowledge and skills to work with any individual , regardless of their background and beliefs , to ensure that their needs are met .
2023 winner : Middlesbrough Football Club
140 | Tees Business