The Ethnicity Awards 2026 shortlist: spotlight on our partners and community champions

myGwork is proud to celebrate the newly announced shortlist for the Ethnicity Awards 2026, recognising individuals, networks and organisations that are creating meaningful, measurable change for ethnically diverse communities. This year’s nominees reflect the very best of what inclusive leadership looks like in action – from allies and emerging leaders to established role models, networks and employers.

Below, we’re delighted to spotlight and congratulate the incredible people and partner organisations from our own community who have been shortlisted.

Champion Ally

Simon Morton – Director, Kids Content & Editorial Standards, Warner Bros. Discovery

As Director of Kids Content at Warner Bros. Discovery, Simon Morton works directly with both in-house and third-party animation studios on commissioning Original Kids and Family Animation, including titles such as Regular Show: The Lost Tapes, Adventure Time: Side Quests and The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball.

Through his content and editorial leadership, Simon helps shape stories and characters that speak to a global audience of young viewers, ensuring that diverse perspectives are represented and celebrated on screen. His role as a Champion Ally is underpinned by a commitment to inclusion that extends beyond programming choices into the way teams collaborate and create.

Exceptional Inclusion

Anthony Pinagapany – People Capability Lead, BAE Systems

Based in Lancashire, Anthony Pinagapany is recognised for championing ethnic inclusion and belonging through his role as People Capability Lead and Co‑Chair of Embrace, BAE Systems’ race and cultural diversity network.

Anthony has played a key role in embedding inclusive practices into leadership initiatives and developing training content that has reached over 90% of the workforce. He is known for creating safe spaces for dialogue, mentoring and community engagement that go far beyond his formal remit. Authentic and values‑driven, Anthony is a trusted advocate and role model who consistently works to build a more equitable and inclusive workplace.

Samah Rafiq – Inclusion Advisor, EMEA, Warner Bros. Discovery

As Inclusion Advisor for EMEA at Warner Bros. Discovery, Samah Rafiq leads inclusion projects that foster equity and belonging across the region. With a strong focus on Business Resource Groups (BRGs), she has been instrumental in launching and scaling networks that enable colleagues from all backgrounds to connect, grow and drive meaningful change.

Through her passion, authenticity and commitment to community, Samah is helping shape a media industry where everyone can thrive and see themselves reflected – both behind the scenes and on screen.

Future Leader

Kesiya Johny – Senior Marketing Transformation Consultant, Capgemini

A first‑generation immigrant working at the intersection of tech and marketing, Kesiya Johny brings a deep commitment to inclusive storytelling and culture‑building into everything she does. As External Collaboration Race & Equality Lead at Capgemini UK, she has moulded a new role into a powerful driver of change, managing six workstreams that serve the entire business.

From leading REN UK’s first partner event to deepening purpose‑driven external collaborations, Kesiya is creating spaces where diverse talent can show up authentically, contribute confidently and be recognised for their impact.

Tochi Emewulu – Global Senior Product Manager, Amazon UK Services

As a Global Senior Product Manager at Amazon, Tochi Emewulu leads multi‑market initiatives with more than $380M in revenue impact and adoption by over 1.6M customers. Alongside this commercial responsibility, Tochi is a standout inclusion leader.

As Professional Development Lead for BEN‑UK (Black Employee Network), he grew the volunteer base by 70% in three months, delivering 10+ events for 650+ employees with outstanding satisfaction ratings and tangible promotion and progression outcomes. He co‑led 20 International Women’s Day 2026 events across 10+ Amazon organisations, mentored more than 38 mentees, mobilised 140+ volunteers to deliver 2,000 hygiene kits, and has engaged over 7,500 young people to inspire the next generation of STEM and sustainability leaders. His work exemplifies how future leaders can pair commercial excellence with deep social impact.

Impact Award (New for 2026)

CMS

CMS places inclusion and equality at the heart of its culture, recognising LGBTQ+ inclusion as a core part of its wider diversity strategy. Through its Inclusive Workplace initiative, the firm ensures that all policies apply equally to same‑sex couples, has implemented a dedicated transgender policy and provides gender‑neutral facilities. CMS has served as the Official Pro Bono Legal Sponsor of Pride in London since 2012 and, since 2017, has sponsored and marched in numerous Pride events across the UK and internationally. It was the first law firm in Scotland to sign up to the Glass Charter, promoting the principles of LGBT+ equality and diversity, and is a corporate member of Stonewall, drawing on its expertise to continuously strengthen its work on LGBTQ+ equality.

E.ON Energy

E.ON is leading the energy transition across the UK and Europe, operating networks and infrastructure while providing innovative customer solutions through E.ON Next, E.ON and Npower Business Solutions. Alongside its mission to make energy more affordable and sustainable, E.ON is embedding ethnic inclusion into how it serves homes, businesses, cities and communities – ensuring the green transition is also a just and inclusive one.

Premier Foods

Origins, one of Premier Foods’ longest‑standing colleague networks and one of its first Employee Resource Groups, has been built around a clear strategy: to unleash the full potential of everyone in the organisation by creating a culture of inclusion and belonging. Through Origins, Premier Foods is working to ensure that colleagues of all ethnicities, religions and nationalities feel welcomed, respected and able to thrive.

Vodafone

Vodafone’s commitment to ethnic inclusion is grounded in a clear ambition for representation and progression. In the UK, the organisation aims for 20% of senior roles to be held by Black, Asian and other ethnically diverse colleagues – including 4% Black representation – by 2030. It is driving towards this through targeted recruitment, equitable development opportunities, visibility and progression programmes, and a culture anchored in allyship, psychological safety and the celebration of diversity.

Inspirational Leader

Barbara Anthony‑Okafor – Senior Partner Development Manager, Intuit

Barbara Anthony‑Okafor is widely recognised as a powerful example of values‑led leadership in global business. A Nigerian‑born leader who has carved her own path, she combines commercial excellence with a deep sense of responsibility to others – building ecosystems, closing strategic partnerships and mentoring future leaders.

Known for “keeping doors open” for those who come after her, Barbara is a mentor, sponsor and ally whose influence extends far beyond her immediate network. She is a true “Real Model” for ethnic talent across the industry.

Horace Francis – Director, Device Operations & Chair, Black Professionals at VodafoneThree, Vodafone

With a 35‑year career in telecoms, Horace Francis brings senior leadership experience to his dual role as Director of Device Operations at VodafoneThree and Chair of the Black Professionals Network. During the high‑profile merger of Vodafone UK and Three UK, Horace played a vital stabilising role, ensuring ethnically diverse talent remained visible, supported and heard.

By strengthening the governance between Executive Sponsors and the DEI function, he has driven greater accountability and impact. From high‑profile cultural events to cross‑industry collaborations, Horace demonstrates how inclusive leadership can deliver both commercial and cultural results.

Network Group

dbENRICH – Deutsche Bank

dbENRICH is Deutsche Bank’s flagship ethnicity and culture employee network, uniting ten communities across UKI to create belonging, opportunity and inclusion. Through cultural celebrations, safe‑space dialogues, language labs, career development initiatives and cross‑ERG collaboration, dbENRICH delivers practical impact for ethnically and culturally diverse colleagues. Its strong governance, expanding membership and meaningful charity partnerships have established it as both a trusted community and a strategic partner.

Race for Change – JLL

Race for Change at JLL is a vibrant community dedicated to race equity, committed to ensuring ethnically diverse colleagues feel safe, welcomed, respected and truly heard. By fostering dialogue, awareness and advocacy, the network partners with the wider organisation to remove barriers and help create a “Place to Be You” – one that attracts, grows and retains diverse talent while driving positive change across the wider region and sector.

Outstanding Employer

Vodafone

Vodafone’s shortlisting as an Outstanding Employer reflects its holistic approach to the ethnicity agenda, aligned with the Investing in Ethnicity Maturity Matrix. From capturing robust data and implementing clear action plans to building understanding and supporting development and representation, Vodafone is working systematically across all seven categories to create sustainable change for ethnically diverse colleagues.

myGwork is honoured to work alongside many of these nominees and to share their achievements with our community.

View the full shortlist for the Ethnicity Awards 2026 here, and congratulations to all the organisations, networks and individuals recognised this year for their outstanding contribution to ethnic inclusion, diversity and belonging.