Diversity chiefs rewarded in New Year's Honours List

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Gongs for Royal Mail’s Kay Allen and Lloyds’ Fiona Cannon
Claire Churchard

HR specialists in diversity and equality were well represented in the 2011 New Year Honours List as figures from business and the public services were recognised for their achievements.

Kay Allen, group head of social action and inclusion at Royal Mail Group, was awarded an OBE for services to equal opportunities and diversity, while Fiona Cannon, director of diversity and inclusion at Lloyds Banking Group, was also given an OBE for services to equal opportunities.

Allen, who has worked across all the strands of diversity in her career, served as a disability rights commissioner at the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) for three years, becoming a commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) when the combined body was formed. She is also currently a non-executive director for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in the pensions, disability and carers service. Her previous work includes improving disability access while at B&Q, and boosting the use of subtitles, sign language and audio descriptions at the broadcaster Sky.

Allen said she was “absolutely thrilled” by the award.

Allen said: “We’ve made so much progress and I think businesses have done a lot. Many of our corporate players and HR directors have done a huge amount but now it’s about ensuring that equality is absolutely a given rather than a specific job. I’m all in favour of mainstreaming and embedding equality.

“I think the challenge now is to bring the new Equality Act to life in 2011 and actually deliver on some of its key challenges.”

Cannon’s work in this area is also notable. Like Allen, Cannon was also a commissioner at the EOC becoming deputy chair in 2005 until the EOC’s integration into the EHRC. She has served on the government’s Work and Parents Taskforce, looking at flexible working, and was a founder member of employer-led initiatives such as Employers for Childcare, Employers for Work-Life Balance and Race for Opportunity, and is currently chair of the Women’s Justice Taskforce.

Another diversity professional to be honoured was Museji Takolia, a leading consultant at Global Diversity Practice and former senior adviser at the Cabinet Office, who received a CBE for services to diversity and equal opportunities.

Elsewhere, Martin Broughton, chairman of British Airways, was knighted for services to business, while other prominent knights included Stephen Bubb, chief executive of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, Roger Carr, chairman at Centrica plc, and Richard Lambert, outgoing director-general at the CBI.

Evelyn Arnold, deputy director of state pensions policy at the DWP, received a CBW, while Tracey Locke, HR director benefits and credits, London, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) was awarded an OBE.

MBEs were given to David Asker, head of learning and skills at HM Prison Wandsworth; Lesley Wilson, people officer at customer operations at HMRC; and John Murphy, who was honoured for services to health and safety in the construction industry.

[DGP1]

Why are they working in RM now.............are they going to teach us new ways of prepping (and that pose isin't very diverse).

[fishtank]

It's catching DGP....

[TrueBlueTerrier]

even Italian DOM/Politicians are doing it

[TrueBlueTerrier]

and Holly Willoughby

[clashcityrocker]

I believe my DOM started the trend

[fishtank]

I believe my DOM started the trend

The guy at the back really can't be arsed...
Heil....whatever.

[DGP1]

Jeez, even the Pope is at it.........................oh wait