FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday 16 October 2026
Huddersfield, UK – The Institute for Equity, University Centre (IEUC) has celebrated individuals and organisations making an outstanding contribution to equity, diversity and inclusion at the National Inclusion Awards © 2026, held alongside the Yorkshire Inclusion Luncheon at Cedar Court Hotel, Huddersfield.
Bringing together leaders, professionals, institutions and changemakers from across sectors, the event provided an opportunity to recognise the people and organisations translating commitments to inclusion into meaningful, measurable and sustained impact.
The National Inclusion Awards © were established to recognise excellence in equity, diversity and inclusion and to highlight work capable of influencing organisations, communities and wider society. The Awards place particular emphasis on impact and outcomes, rather than simply the activities undertaken.
Following a rigorous assessment process, the 2026 awards recognised exceptional achievement across individual leadership and organisational impact.
Professor Matthew Chapman, from Huddersfield, has been awarded the Social Justice Leadership Award for his work championing equal rights and creating opportunities for people to progress. As Co-Founder of Futured and a Visiting Professor at the Institute for Equity, University Centre, he continues to challenge barriers and support more inclusive organisations and workplaces.
Loraine Martins OBE FRSA was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for her sustained national contribution to diversity, inclusion and social justice across major UK infrastructure, business and public sectors. As Global EDI Director at Arup and former Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail, she has spent much of her career challenging inequality and advancing inclusion.
The University of East London (UEL) was awarded the Organisational Impact Award for Inclusion for its commitment to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion across higher education. Through its student-centred approach and work to tackle inequality, UEL continues to promote an inclusive university environment and improve opportunities for its diverse student community.
The winners were selected from a distinguished group of finalists including Professor Matthew Chapman, Loraine Martins OBE FRSA, Durham University, Hartpury University & College and the University of East London, all recognised for their contribution to advancing inclusion and creating meaningful change.
The National Inclusion Awards © are designed to go beyond recognising well-intentioned initiatives.
At the heart of the Awards is a focus on what has changed as a result of inclusion work: how organisations have improved, how cultures have developed, how opportunities have widened and how individuals and communities have experienced meaningful benefits.
The Awards therefore recognise the impact of activities, rather than the activities themselves, helping to establish a stronger benchmark for what effective equity, diversity and inclusion practice should look like.
Professor Paul Miller, CEO and Principal of the Institute for Equity, University Centre, said:
“The National Inclusion Awards are about recognising what meaningful inclusion looks like when it is translated into leadership, practice and measurable change.
“This year’s finalists and winners demonstrate that inclusion is not simply an aspiration or statement of intent. It requires sustained leadership, accountability and a willingness to create change that people can genuinely experience.
“We are extremely proud to recognise those setting that standard and to bring people together from across sectors to celebrate their achievements, learn from one another and continue raising expectations for equity and inclusion nationally.”
The National Inclusion Awards © formed part of the Yorkshire Inclusion Luncheon, creating a space for professionals, organisations and leaders to connect, exchange ideas and celebrate progress.
Hosted in Huddersfield, the event also reflected IEUC’s commitment to strengthening networks and opportunities within Yorkshire while connecting regional conversations about inclusion with a wider national agenda.
The luncheon brought together guests from different sectors and backgrounds, providing an environment for new relationships, partnerships and conversations about the future of equity and inclusion.
Through the National Inclusion Awards ©, the Institute for Equity, University Centre aims to identify, recognise and amplify examples of inclusion that can contribute to better practice across the United Kingdom.
Rather than viewing recognition as the end point, IEUC intends the Awards to provide a platform through which successful approaches can be shared, celebrated and used to inspire further action.
Professor Miller added:
“Recognition matters, but what matters even more is what happens next.
“We want the National Inclusion Awards to help identify examples of genuinely impactful work and give those examples a platform from which others can learn.
“Our ambition is to continue building the Awards as a national benchmark for excellence and impact in equity, diversity and inclusion.”
The Institute for Equity, University Centre congratulates the 2026 winners, finalists and everyone who contributed to this year’s Awards and Yorkshire Inclusion Luncheon.
Details regarding the next National Inclusion Awards © and future Institute events will be announced in due course.
ENDS
For media enquiries, interviews, photographs from the event or further information, please contact:
IEUC Media & Communications Office
Institute for Equity, University Centre
Email: admin@instituteforequity.ac.uk
Website: instituteforequity.ac.uk
The Institute for Equity, University Centre works across education, research, professional development and organisational practice to advance equity, diversity and inclusion and support meaningful organisational and societal change.
The National Inclusion Awards © recognise individuals and organisations demonstrating significant impact in advancing equality, equity, diversity and inclusion. The Awards focus on the difference created through inclusion activity and the evidence of meaningful and sustained change. The existing Awards material positions them as a national benchmark for EDI excellence.
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