Raj Jones, head of DE&I for Sodexo UK & Ireland has this week been announced as a finalist in the head of diversity of the year category of the prestigious Burberry Diversity Awards 2023.

The awards celebrate leading diversity and inclusion champions, recognising achievements over the past year across ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and religious beliefs. Click here for more about the awards: 

As Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) for Sodexo, Raj has responsibility for the strategic direction and implementation of the UK and Ireland’s DE&I initiatives. 

Commenting on the news Raj said:

Being nominated, let alone shortlisted for these prestigious awards, is a huge honour.

That being said, it is important to note that no one individual can be credited for the success of a DE&I strategy – particularly one that involves creating an inclusive workplace where 30,000 plus colleagues are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work.

So, I’d like to thank colleagues from across the business who continue to champion DE&I and work passionately and tirelessly to keep it on the agenda.

I work with a very supportive leadership team at Sodexo and together we are committed to doing all we can to support every single colleague so they can thrive and establish a successful and rewarding career with us.

Sodexo is committed to providing all employees with the best possible work life experience regardless of age, gender, nationality, culture or personal characteristics, and strives to build a diverse and inclusive culture where its people feel valued and respected as individuals.

Mark Goodyer, HR Director for Sodexo UK & Ireland adds:

Diversity, equity, and inclusion is embedded at the heart of our business strategy and driven throughout the organisation, from the boardroom to our colleagues, who deliver services to our customers every day. 

DE&I is at the core of our EVP, ensuring that our colleagues feel they belong to a team and a company that allows them to act with purpose and thrive in their own way.

Raj is a trusted and critical advisor, continually pushing for positive change both internally and externally, and for social good.

She is a progressive leader who holds both myself and Sodexo accountable for making positive change.  

We are proud to see her recognised as a finalist at these awards.

With nominations across 19 categories, the 2023 Burberry British Diversity Awards has established itself as a powerful voice for diversity and inclusion, with this year’s awards recognising the positive impact of marketing, campaigning, media diversity and social mobility representation across the UK. 

Other finalists including Virgin Atlantic, NatWest and HSBC UK as well as celebrity finalists Alison Hammond, Alan Carr and Stormzy who are shortlisted for the Greene King Media Champion in the Public Eye category.

Linda Riley, founder of the Burberry British Diversity Awards, added:

We are incredibly proud to once again be recognising and celebrating those organisations, companies and individuals who consistently work to advocate and promote diversity, equality and inclusion. 

In these particularly difficult economic times it is encouraging to see that so many businesses and organisations continue to put diversity and Inclusion in the front and centre of their strategic plans. I’m especially pleased to see an increasing number of organisations doing more to support wellbeing and social mobility. 

Over the past year our nominees have realised great achievements, championing diversity of race, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, religious belief or social mobility.

Our awards ceremony allows us to bring together these inspirational and incredible people and truly celebrate their accomplishments.

 

Read Raj’s blog on how a feeling of belonging can make a material difference, both to individual well-being and the business bottom line. Click here

 

Find out more about Sodexo's DE&I strategy

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