The award recognised the network group's impact through its consistent approach to raising awareness of diversity and ethnicity, exemplified by high visibility campaigns across the year relating to Race Equality Week, South Asian Heritage Month and Black History Month. The Ethnicity Inclusion network group was also praised for its direct engagement with senior leadership to influence policy.
The award was accepted by the Ethnicity Inclusion network group Co-Chairs Arvind Mahendran and Jainna Bhalla.
Jainna said: “This award is not just for the network’s leadership, but all our members and allies. Our network creates a safe space where we are willing to engage in difficult or uncomfortable conversations, such as experiences of microaggressions or disruption in the community, that can lead to real and tangible change. It is so important to be willing to have those difficult conversations, as that is the only way that you can grow and bring people together.”
Having joined Leonardo as an apprentice, Jainne is now pursuing a career in Institutional Affairs and has found that her experiences in the network have also influenced her professional growth at the company. “Being able to be comfortable with discomfort has put me in a position where I could go into rooms and speak to new people and know that if we've got different views, we can still find common ground," she explained. "Visibility is vital at all levels of our industry and having started out as an apprentice myself, I feel I can express my views and experiences to everyone from peers to senior management.”
In 2021, Leonardo became the first company in the aerospace and defence industry to join AFBE UK, and has since worked with the organisation to promote understanding and inclusivity in its workforce.
Recent successes have included the launch of a reverse mentoring programme with AFBE UK and the RAF, which sees senior leaders in the UK business learning more about the challenges faced by ethnic minorities. The company also offers an ongoing mentoring programme to its colleagues, where employees can be partnered with other members of AFBE.
Rachel Ruxton, Head of Inclusion and Diversity at Leonardo said: “This award is a fantastic achievement and is a testament to the dedicated efforts of Jainna, Arvind and all of our members and allies. Ethnicity Inclusion, along with our other six network groups, plays a critical role in creating a working environment where employees connect, as well as influencing the entire colleague journey to be more inclusive. Alongside this award, we were thrilled to be shortlisted for ‘Company of the Year’, recognising that our broader inclusion strategy is creating positive change.”
At the awards ceremony, Leonardo also sponsored the Young BME Professional of the Year Award, won by Georgia Thompson.