The UK Social Mobility Awards (SOMOs), in association with National Grid, provides a unique platform for organisations to showcase their impact, learn from peers and gain national recognition for their commitment to advancing social mobility.
Winners in 13 award categories will be announced at a gala in Central London on Tuesday 6 October. The ceremony will be hosted by acclaimed presenter, writer, actor, director and comedian Sue Perkins, who will present awards to this year’s winners.
Tunde Banjoko OBE, CEO & founder of Making The Leap and founder of the UK Social Mobility Awards says: “Congratulations to all finalists who are hugely deserving of the spotlight for the innovative, and impactful, ways they are tackling barriers to opportunity and advancing social mobility.
“This is my 10th UK Social Mobility Awards and I continue to find myself inspired by the dedication of those doing the work to drive social mobility forward. The individuals and organisations on this year’s shortlist are helping to reshape futures, break down barriers and create more equitable pathways to success.”
The shortlist spans 13 sectors, including banking, law, technology, government, infrastructure, higher education, healthcare, media, transport and defence. Winners are selected by an independent judging panel, made up of leading figures from business, charity, and the public sector, chaired by the HM Lord Lieutenant of London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE.
Sue Perkins says: “I’m really looking forward to hosting the SOMOs and celebrating all finalists who, through their work, are tackling issues access to education, fair recruitment and long-term career development.
“What’s encouraging is the number of initiatives that confront these issues head-on. The common thread across all shortlisted entries is a belief that where you start in life shouldn’t define where you end up — and a determination to turn that belief into practical, measurable action.”
To reserve a table at the SOMOs gala dinner, please contact Eugene Blavo (eugene.blavo@mtl.org.uk) or Clementine Kumar (clementine.kumar@mtl.org.uk) via email or phone (020 8962 1900) as soon as possible, as availability is limited and tables are expected to sell out.
The shortlist
Individual categories
Champion of the Year
- Kate Cheetham, Lloyds Banking Group
- Tara Denley, Morgan Stanley Investment Management
- Jenny Dickson, Morton Fraser MacRoberts
- Darren Hardman, Microsoft UK
- Jonathan Holt, KPMG
- Paul Lewis OBE, Linklaters
- Andrew Masraf, Pinsent Masons
- Professor Arad Reisberg, Brunel University of London
- Paul Speight, Lloyds Banking Group
Mentor of the Year
- Nina Buttle, Page Group
- Will Drayson, Mears Group PLC
- Eleanor Higginson, Slaughter and May
- Lauren Moore, Pinsent Masons
- Gabrielle Pereira, Slaughter and May
- Sunny Tatla, Tokio Marine HCC
- William Turner, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Rising Star, championed by PwC
- Sanae Elmed, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
- Tom Glenn, Lewis Silkin LLP
- Deniz Horoz, Mears Group plc
- Victoria Howard, Browne Jacobson
- Eloisa Mckee, KPMG
- Rachel McMahon, Corecom Tech Academy
- Monica O’Brien, SecuriGroup
- Josh Wilkins, A&O Shearman
- Emilie Wright, Sodexo
Organisational categories
Organisation of the Year, championed by BP
- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
- KPMG UK
- Lewis Silkin LLP
- Lloyds Banking Group
- LMAX Group
- Mears Group PLC
- Ministry of Defence
- NatWest Group
- Norton Rose Fulbright
- Savills
Innovation, championed by Barclays
- AMS
- Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
- Lewis Silkin LLP
- Pinsent Masons
- Savills
- Snap Inc.
- Sodexo
- University of Nottingham
- Queen Mary University of London
Leadership of the Year
- Flex Legal
- G4S
- HSBC
- KPMG
- Mears Group PLC
- Morgan Stanley
- Norton Rose Fulbright
- Sheffield City Council
- Sodexo
- Wychavon District Council
Social Mobility Network of the Year
- Aviva
- Boston Consulting Group UK LLP
- EY
- HSBC
- KPMG
- Linklaters
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Ofcom
- Sky
- Sodexo
Pre-Recruitment Programme of the Year, championed by BNP Paribas
- bp
- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
- HSBC
- KPMG
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Network Rail
- Pemberton Asset Management
- Tokio Marine HCC
- Trowers & Hamlins
- University of Warwick
Recruitment Programme of the Year, championed by Hedley May
- Department for Work and Pensions
- Foot Anstey
- Goldman Sachs
- Havas London
- Howden Group Holdings
- ICG
- KPMG
- Lloyds Banking Group
- PA Consulting
- Royal London
Progression Programme of the Year
- Close Brothers
- DLA Piper
- G4S
- Royal London
- Sky
- Sodexo
Community Programme of the Year
- Aberdeen Group plc
- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
- Linklaters
- London Luton Airport
- Mears Group PLC
- Michael Page
- PwC
- Sizewell C
- Slaughter and May
- Vanquis
University of the Year
- Birmingham Newman University
- BPP
- University of Bradford
- University of Exeter
- University of Leeds
- The University of Sheffield
- University of Worcester
Tech for Social Mobility, championed by Lloyds Banking Group
- Accenture
- LMAX Group
- Met Office
- Microsoft UK
- NTT DATA Business Solutions UK&I
- PA Consulting
- Tata Consultancy Services
