Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Leader of the Year

Colin Buckle
Arcadis

Whilst maintaining a full time operational role for a day job I've provided support and mentoring to my own reportees, Apprentices and Line Managers across our UK business and to other businesses, always with a focus on supporting them both professionally but also in any aspect of their lives that they needed it. I created a free and national forum to bring Apprentices, Employers, Further Education Providers and Professional Institutions together to improve Degree Apprenticeships for all and continued that with mentoring and support to anyone who asked for it, wherever they might be.

Nina Cardinal
Heidelberg Materials

Nina is a dedicated National Technical Manager for cement. She not only fulfills her demanding role but also makes time to actively mentor female colleagues and advocate for gender equality. Her leadership within the Network for Women (NOW) and the networks successful initiatives underscore her significant impact on female employees in our organisation. Nina’s approachability, passion, and unwavering dedication set a powerful example, inspiring other women to strive for excellence.

Carole Connor
Blanchard Wells

Carole plays a crucial role in supporting apprentices at Blanchard Wells and the Civil Engineering Training Centre (CETC). Her friendly, supportive approach aids young apprentices transitioning from school to the construction industry or those that have had a tough past. Carole goes above and beyond, providing transportation, mental health support, and academic assistance. She is known for her nurturing nature, often referred to as "Mum." Her dedication is reflected in high apprentice retention rates and numerous testimonials from colleagues. Carole’s belief in second chances and her relentless support make her a deserving candidate for this Award.

Millie Deare
Berkeley Group

Berkeley St Edward wanted to create structural change and since January 2023 I have delivered an ambitious D&I strategy to achieve this, rather than only awareness raising. I’ve developed colleague networks, trained managers on new, inclusive policies and transformed our culture to be more flexible and competitive with other industries. My work has been recognised by our parent company Berkeley Group and led to cross-divisional initiatives, such as the roll out of the Code of Conduct, a menopause policy and the International Women’s Day event, making a lasting impact and influencing another 1500+ employees.

Lucy Fell
Colas

Lucy Fell's rise as a leader in Highways is defined by resilience, dedication and a steadfast commitment to fostering diversity and social advancement. She has tackled the barriers that deter women from entering highways, advocating for essential reforms and driving solutions. This tenacity and empathy have made her an Inspirational Leader and a role model for aspiring professionals. Rising above personal and professional obstacles as one of the youngest HSE Inspectors, in 2017 Lucy became the youngest global IOSH fellow, breaking barriers in this male-dominated field. Lucy's advocacy for period dignity and open discussions on women's health has challenged taboos.

Fofo Kalfa
Linesight

Fofo with an agile and democratic management style, she has demonstrated strategic business planning capabilities since the early stages of her career and always represents equity, diversity and inclusion leading my an example. Understanding that construction involves more than just building structures, she possesses a deep passion for industry’s people, and has a strong focus on women recognizing their impact on success. Her ability to motivate others in teams is a valuable skill that benefits all stakeholders in projects. She brings value to not women only in business but also in the project work with a very positive attitude.

Debola Ojo
Berkeley Group

Debola’s role as a FIR and STEM Ambassador reflects a strong dedication to promoting diversity and encouraging the participation of young ethnic minorities in the built environment. Debola has made significant contributions with her leadership of EMbrace. Her initiatives, such as aiming for 10% of the business to become FIR Ambassadors, organising training for colleagues, demonstrate a proactive approach. Her efforts in meeting the Race at Work Charter commitments, implementing reverse mentoring ,registering the business for the Cross Organisational Mentoring Circle, and organising events to celebrate ethnic minority talent show a strategic, impactful method to drive change.