In this special feature we look back on our inaugural staff network group awards, the Inclusive Networks Awards, a.k.a The IN Awards. Network groups at Tesco, Lloyds Banking Group, PwC, EY, Action for Children, Bradford University, Standard Life, Transport for London, BNY Mellon and York St John University were recognised at the UK’s first awards event dedicated to network groups back in 2015.
On 19th November 2015 over 200 network group heroes and workplace role models attended the inaugural Inclusive Networks Awards, aka the UK’s Staff Network Group Awards. The awards were the first ever awards dedicated to network groups and were held at iconic live music venue Band on the Wall in Manchester. The awards are recognised as being a pioneering initiative.
Sponsored by organisations including PayPal, Fujitsu, EY, WeAreTheCity, Contracts IT, Manchester Pride, Diversity Jobs, Canal St and Action for Children, the awards recognised the people who make the networks live and breathe, many of whom volunteer substantial amounts of their own time, as well as thank the organisations that support and encourage their work and that of an inclusive society.
“It was an awards event with a difference that celebrated and recognised employee, professional and community focussed network groups covering all diversity strands and sectors, from all over the UK.”
Winners included GLEE@PwC who were named Employee LGBT Network of the Year, North East London NHS Foundation Trust, Ethnic Minority Staff Network who were named Employee Race, Ethnicity & Cultural Heritage Network of the Year and Lloyds Banking Group, winners of the Investor in Network Groups award.
What makes these awards different is that they celebrate and reward the work of the doers, individuals and teams who show an extraordinary amount of commitment and dedication to support employees, the wider community and help influence the views of the wider public on their perception of the organisations they represent through their work – creating and developing more inclusive and diverse workplaces and communities. They’re real drivers for positive change.

It was an awards event with a difference that celebrated and recognised employee, professional and community focussed network groups covering all diversity strands and sectors, from all over the UK.
Thomas Anderson, Founder of the Inclusive Networks Awards, said : “Having Chaired an employee network group for many years I founded the awards to authentically recognise the doers and recognise all the different elements that make a network group successful. All of our finalists and winners really make a positive difference in the workplace and beyond and it was amazing to be able to recognise the awesome work, dedication, commitment and impact of network groups covering many diversity strands and sectors in the same room. It was a truly inspiring evening with a diverse crowd of network group heroes and it was an honour to celebrate the work of so many awesome networks at an authentic, informal, fun and diverse event.”
“All of our finalists and winners really make a positive difference in the workplace and beyond and it was amazing to be able to recognise the awesome work, dedication, commitment and impact of network groups covering many diversity strands and sectors in the same room.”
Guests were welcomed by the sounds of the Caribbean from the awesome Steeldrumband and the welcome bubbly was generously served by Barefoot Wine. The awards host, Manchester based stand-up Kate McCabe, was a hit with the crowd and provided lots of laughs throughout the fun and uplifting night. Further entertainment came from record breakers Ri Ri’s Dance Academy and up and coming singer Maria Kelly.
Inspiring guest speakers at the event were Sanjay Sood-Smith, Apprentice 2014 candidate, and founder of Girls Out Loud, Jane Kenyon, who each delivered awesome speeches that inspired attendees.
Programme sponsors of the awards included Tesco, UK Parliament, Royal Navy, PwC, Cardiff University, The Co-op Bank, Brown Brothers Harriman and Transport for London.
Goody bag sponsors included The Co-op Food, PopChips, Shloer, Sticky9, Percy Nobleman and Get Fruity.

The Inclusive Networks Awards 2015 winners :
Congratulations to all of our awesome finalists and winners. Thank you to our sponsors and supporters for helping make the event a reality. We couldn’t have done it without your support!
Employee LGBT Network of the Year, sponsored by Manchester Pride
PwC : GLEE@PwC
Employee Gender Network of the Year, sponsored by WeAreTheCity
EY : EY Women’s Network
Employee Race, Ethnicity & Cultural Heritage Network of the Year
North East London NHS Foundation Trust : Ethnic Minority Staff Network
Health & Wellbeing Network of the Year
Lloyds Banking Group : Access Network
New Network of the Year, sponsored by EY
Standard Life : Young Persons’ Development Network (Joint Winner)
New Network of the Year, sponsored by EY
Action for Children : Celebrate LGBT (Joint Winner)
Inter-Sector Network of the Year, sponsored by Fujitsu
Black Solicitors Network
Professional Network of the Year, sponsored by Contracts IT
Citymothers and Cityfathers
Social Network of the Year, sponsored by Canal St
Manchester Lesbian & Gay Chorus
Network Team of the Year, sponsored by Diversity Jobs
Tesco : OUT at Tesco
Network Leader of the Year, sponsored by Girls Out Loud
The University of Bradford, n-able : Cath Rose and Gill Cockburn
Inspiring Member of the Year, sponsored by Action for Children
Funke Abimbola
Collaboration of the Year, sponsored by Tuk In
BNY Mellon’s PRISM Network and George House Trust – UK AIDS Memorial Quilt
Network Event of the Year, sponsored by Barefoot Wine
PwC, GLEE@PwC : #bigGLEEday
Network Engagement Initiative of the Year, sponsored by PayPal
Transport for London, OUTbound : #RideWithPride
Network Champion of the Year
York St John University : Jo Thompson
Investor in Network Groups
Lloyds Banking Group

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE #INAWARDS2015 TWEETS :
Many, many CONGRATULATIONS to Cath Rose and Gill Cockburn @nablebradford on WINNING #INAwards2015 “Network Leader of the Year” last night!
— NADSN (@nadsn_uk) November 20, 2015
Network Champion of the Year: Jo Thompson from @YorkStJohn #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/uEFmxjgZJR
— InterEngineering (@InterEngLGBT) November 19, 2015
Very proud @CelebrateLGBT won new network of the year & we've been part of their journey. Bravo! #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/za7Pos6OF3
— ShineLGBT+ Network (@ShineLGBT) November 19, 2015
@incnetworks #enfysbear loved the goody bag from the #INAwards2015 #INAwesomeGoodies pic.twitter.com/WoJz5kQ14i
— karenmcooke (@Cookie24) November 21, 2015
Wow! So proud to have been named the Investor in Network Groups Award at #INAwards2015 @incnetworks pic.twitter.com/13c6Fsc1S7
— LBG Diversity (@LBGDiversity) November 19, 2015
@incnetworks kicks off in a truly inclusive way #INAwards2015 @ContractsIT13 #bandonthewall pic.twitter.com/6VxPAucwNu
— Naheed Afzal (@naheedafzal) November 19, 2015
@thomasinmanc what a fab night. Congratulations! #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/WiSkob0H9e
— Martin Y (@RarityMonk) November 20, 2015
So proud of our awesome networks! #INAwards2015 @incnetworks @Rainbow_Network @LBG_Diversity pic.twitter.com/3SUZCHxSYw
— Claire Kinsman (@Parky21) November 20, 2015
On its way to London via Leeds today! #EYWomensnetwork #INAwards2015 @JenHLow pic.twitter.com/8fbR7kGuI9
— Joanna Santinon (@JoannaSantinon) November 20, 2015
Amazing @GLEEPwCUK LGBT network of the year #INAwards2015 https://t.co/dDcdQEMWLq
— Birgit Neu (@bneu_andu) November 19, 2015
Wow! Our very own Access Network wins Employee Disabled Network of the Year Award #INAwards2015 @incnetworks pic.twitter.com/w8YOJpX6Y6
— LBG Diversity (@LBGDiversity) November 19, 2015
@yup its past apprentice @sanjaysoodsmith -‘.. It’s all about having the opportunity’ @ContractsIT13 #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/cvUexATutS
— Naheed Afzal (@naheedafzal) November 19, 2015
Didn’t win but were highly commended! Team: @MarkMcBW @Cdr_Peter @beingbrunel (Tom)&Jason. #LGBTinEng #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/LzRquECJ8v
— InterEngineering (@InterEngLGBT) November 19, 2015
Professional Network of the Year: Citymothers and Cityfathers #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/LOZuvkW8Fi
— InterEngineering (@InterEngLGBT) November 19, 2015
Tonight we’re at the #INAwards2015 good luck to everyone, but mostly to @UoMNews and @UoMDSN
— Equality & Diversity (@UoMEandD) November 19, 2015
We’ve arrived! @incnetworks #INAwards2015 are in full swing. #LGBTinEng pic.twitter.com/Hzq1NS9se3
— InterEngineering (@InterEngLGBT) November 19, 2015
Great start thanks @thomasinmanc @incnetworks #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/uTMD7gtMhM
— ShineLGBT+ Network (@ShineLGBT) November 19, 2015
@NELFT @JohnBrouder an honour to be shortlisted well done and all the best NELFT EMN @stephanie_dawe #INawards2015 pic.twitter.com/f82mmlhUpE
— Makala Wellington (@wmakala) November 19, 2015
Fingers and toes tightly crossed for tomorrow. The @EnvAgency Women’s Network is shortlisted for the gender network award. #INAwards2015
— Keela Shackell-Smith (@KeelaShackell) November 18, 2015
Party time (soon). #INAwards2015 @incnetworks pic.twitter.com/Qh3XynF1AN
— InterEngineering (@InterEngLGBT) November 19, 2015
We're here at the @incnetworks #INAwards2015! Well done to all those nominated! 🌈 pic.twitter.com/7sFIPn692p
— ParliOUT (@ParliOUT) November 19, 2015
Party has started @Moore87Caroline @Valrisk1 @Nic_new @TamesideM @CharlyCrawley #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/u6krQYQrLe
— ShineLGBT+ Network (@ShineLGBT) November 19, 2015
We've just arrived with our pals from @PrideBolton #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/cKXCrLjTZ1
— Canal Street 🏳️🌈 (@canalstmancs) November 19, 2015
Proud to have won the network event of the year award! @incnetworks #bigGLEEday #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/vpAzgu3sAQ
— GLEE@PwC UK (@GLEEPwCUK) November 19, 2015
#INAwards2015 @Moore87Caroline and @TamesideM testing out the new magazine cover @incnetworks @fujitsu_uk pic.twitter.com/sDfEbi6sG2
— ShineLGBT+ Network (@ShineLGBT) November 22, 2015
Here's @HelenBeedham with our Professional Network of the Year Award last night – we're delighted! #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/s4VsutSicG
— Cityparents (@citymothers) November 20, 2015
I'm extremely proud of @EYSikhNetwork for being shortlisted & recognised by @incnetworks at #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/CrR68Ntxp9
— Lovepreet Samra (@_LovepreetSamra) November 19, 2015
And the winner is…Jo Thompson with some hangers on @YorkStJohn @ysjulgbtstaff @incnetworks #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/vKUh4IBkDX
— Fiona Thompson (@FionaThompson16) November 19, 2015
Thanks for an amazing night at #INAwards2015 @incnetworks @thomasinmanc you should be very proud.
— LBG Diversity (@LBGDiversity) November 20, 2015
I'm so proud to chair @EnfysCardiff and love the support we get from @cardiffuni senior team #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/0CBqzak02R
— karenmcooke (@Cookie24) November 20, 2015
Proud to hear that #EYWN has been named Employee Gender Network of the Year at #INAwards2015 https://t.co/p1Rv4Q15Eo
— Rebecca Cunningham (@BexJCunningham) November 26, 2015
@DiversityChamp1 @incnetworks @EY_UKI was delighted to sponsor New Network of the Year #INAwards2015
— Joanna Santinon (@JoannaSantinon) November 20, 2015
Better luck next time @UoMEandD @UoMNews ! #INAwards2015 was a great evening though – so much to celebration @incnetworks
— UoM DSNetwork (@UoMDSN) November 20, 2015
We're proud of #Cityparents corporate member #PwC for @GLEEPwCUK winning the Network Event of the Year award at last night's #INAwards2015
— Cityparents (@citymothers) November 20, 2015
#INawards2015 @JohnBrouder @NELFT celebrating diversity @ the inclusive award . Proud of NELFT @JacquiVanRossum pic.twitter.com/9Lqcn9g1Kk
— Makala Wellington (@wmakala) November 19, 2015
#INAwards2015 we're thrilled to have won the Professional Network of the Year category – congrats to my amazing team #awesomenetworks
— Cityparents (@citymothers) November 20, 2015
Huge congratulations to #EYWomensNetwork for winning Gender Network of the Year! #INAwards2015 @incnetworks @JoannaSantinon @JenHLow
— Indy Hothi CA (@IndyHothi) November 20, 2015
Well done to all of the nominees at tonight's @incnetworks #INAwards2015 Lot of wonderful people making a difference pic.twitter.com/ElRqP9vBmm
— HSC LGBT Staff Forum (@LGBT_StaffForum) November 19, 2015
Hugely proud that Lloyds Banking Group has won the investor in networks award #INAwards2015 #awesome #proud
— LBG Rainbow Network (@LBGRainbow) November 19, 2015
@incnetworks #INAwards2015 the man who's made it all happen #inspiring pic.twitter.com/2kwykz3A6p
— Liz (@lizpotier) November 19, 2015
Touchstone CEO highly commended at #INAwards2015 whilst our Network partner Jo Thompson @YorkStJohn takes first prize. Congratulations Jo
— Touchstone (@Touchstone_Spt) November 19, 2015
Congrats @TfLLGBT @Ryder666uk #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/zsFxNYkq0R
— Dan_Ricard (@Dan_Ricard) November 19, 2015
.@sanjaysoodsmith says how having a supportive network at work enabled him to be himself #INAwards2015 @incnetworks pic.twitter.com/yUen9ztcGB
— LBG Diversity (@LBGDiversity) November 19, 2015
Thomas Anderson introducing the #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/aGe89BgKRl
— Helen Beedham (@HelenBeedham) November 19, 2015
Great start to the #INAwards2015 by @katemccabesays #keith
— Mark Eastwood (@designedbymark) November 19, 2015
Buzzy atmosphere at #INAwards2015 tonight! Lots of mingling, steel band playing. Awards in a mo! pic.twitter.com/rYbdwHbNF3
— Helen Beedham (@HelenBeedham) November 19, 2015
Proud to be a part of the #INAwards2015 good luck to all of the nominees! pic.twitter.com/TxMP4HeT7x
— Manchester Pride (@ManchesterPride) November 19, 2015
@JohnBrouder @yvonnecoghill1 @NELFT @DrUmeshPrabhu we have done it . @incnetworks #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/1gXNjTk4f7
— Makala Wellington (@wmakala) November 19, 2015
Good luck to everyone nominated in the @incnetworks #INAwards2015 today especially strong supporter @EY_StudentsUK! pic.twitter.com/FjVZJEXjJp
— Student Pride (@studentpride) November 19, 2015
Today's the day #INAwards2015 awards – honoured to be shortlisted for Professional Network of the Year category https://t.co/EwmCMWMENI
— WeAreTheCity HQ (@WATC_Updates) November 19, 2015
.@incnetworks some lovely reminders of last weeks #INAwards2015 #INAwesomeGoodies pic.twitter.com/66rmQ8HkZp
— Will O'Regan (@willovision) November 26, 2015
@sanjaysoodsmith was fab to meet you last night. Amazing speech! #INAwards2015 @incnetworks @LBG_Diversity pic.twitter.com/dVKrU25M0f
— Claire Kinsman (@Parky21) November 20, 2015
#ParliOUT were so glad to be nominated at the @incnetworks #INAwards2015. Well done to all those nominated & winners pic.twitter.com/386z3Vhtcz
— ParliOUT (@ParliOUT) November 25, 2015
Huge congrats to @nablebradford winning the Network Leader awards at the #inawards2015. @BradfordUni @BradfordUniSU pic.twitter.com/2MxPQEcywW
— Cycling 4 All (@Cycling4AllUK) November 19, 2015
Was touched when @richb0510, founder of Link, got a shoutout from @LBG_Diversity for sharing his story whist working there #INAwards2015
— Link (@Link_LGBT) November 20, 2015
#INAwards2015 very #proud to have come home with this @incnetworks pic.twitter.com/keOlyFAoEE
— Martin Y (@RarityMonk) November 20, 2015
Well done to everyone last night, the @incnetworks #INAwards2015 were fantastic! Thanks again for the recognition, proud to be part of it!
— Proud Together (@P2GCoop) November 20, 2015
Congratulations @hayleyparker99's people at @AsdaLGBT on a highly commended network engagement initiative for trans staff! #INAwards2015
— Andy Law/Ynda Jas (@andylaw31) November 19, 2015
Feeling proud that @GLEEPwCUK won TWO #INAwards2015 for #bigGLEEday and being generally awesome!!! @incnetworks pic.twitter.com/OMikFMFDaF
— Luke Hoare (@lukehoare84) November 20, 2015
Awwww #ThankYou for having us! 😙 Loved being part of your #Fabulous #Event tonight!! 💃 #INAwards2015 #RiRis #Dance 💜 https://t.co/rWFMqZNQGu
— Ria Meera Munshi (@RiRisDanceAcad) November 20, 2015
Defence Stammering Network highly commended at #INAwards2015 – huge congratulations!
— Stammer@BSA (@stammer) November 19, 2015
.@katemccabesays at the mic following an inspiring speech by @sanjaysoodsmith tonight #INAwards2015 @incnetworks pic.twitter.com/idzQCICsum
— Will O'Regan (@willovision) November 19, 2015
Well done to everyone tonight #INAwards2015 proud to be shortlisted with awesome people @DiversityChamp1 @GLEEPwCUK @incnetworks @FCOflagg
— Chris Wood (@CTWoodUK) November 19, 2015
Congrats to Cath & Gill @nablebradford @BradfordUni for winning Network Leader award! 👏🍾For us, great just to be shortlisted. #INAwards2015
— FCO FLAGG (@FCOflagg) November 19, 2015
Fantastic #INAwards2015 Jo Thompson @YorkStJohn Head of HR Network Champion of The Year!!!
— YSJ Equality (@ysjequality) November 19, 2015
Our Paul Kavanagh @popobeep & Deirdre McNamee looking suave & dapper at the @incnetworks awards #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/AUT0XLA6d6
— HSC LGBT Staff Forum (@LGBT_StaffForum) November 19, 2015
Delighted that Link received "Highly Commended" in the inter-sector network of the year award. #INAwards2015
— Link (@Link_LGBT) November 19, 2015
Great to hear the amazing work that @DitchtheLabel are doing for young LGBT people #INAwards2015 @incnetworks
— LBG Diversity (@LBGDiversity) November 19, 2015
Our Access & @Rainbow_Network members enjoying the entertainment #INAwards2015 pic.twitter.com/hj0ZDQk8AQ
— LBG Diversity (@LBGDiversity) November 19, 2015