The not-for-profit organisation was hosting its biannual gala event in Aberdeen, championing diversity, innovation, and inclusion in engineering.
AFBE UK awards
The award winners this year include:
- Dr Nelson Ogunshakin FREng OBE, Lifetime Leadership
- Babcock International, Company of the Year
- Leonardo (Ethnicity Inclusion Network), Employee Resource Group of the Year
- Abhishek Bhatia, Entrepreneur of the Year
- Anusha Shah, BME Leader of the Year
- Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee,STEM Champion of the Year
- Timi Adegunwa, Mentor of the Year
- Georgia Thompson, Young BME Professional of the Year
Leonardo
Leonardo’s award recognised the impact of the company’s Ethnicity Inclusion Network group. Specifically its approach to diversity and ethnicity awareness, highlighting a number of high visibility campaigns. It was also praised for its direct engagement with senior leadership to influence policy.
“This award is not just for the network’s leadership but all our members and allies,” said Leonardo Co-Chair Jainna Bhalla. “Our Ethnicity Inclusion Network at Leonardo 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.”
Specifically, the aerospace defence security company won the organisation’s Ethnicity Employee Resource Group award for 2025. It was also runner up in Company of the Year award
The awards are sponsored by the Royal Academy of Engineering. International Justice Mission UK (IJM) was the charity partner for the event.
Image: Leonardo – Leonardo Ethnicity Inclusion Network Group Co-Chairs Arvind Mahendran and Jainna Bhalla accept the award at AFBE UK’s biannual gala event in Aberdeen
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