EMELI SANDÉ and England and Manchester City star, Raheem Sterling were the big winners at the second HSBC Ethnicity Awards on Friday (October 25).

The glittering ceremony, hosted by Capital FM’s Marvin Humes, was a night of celebration: highlighting those with a track record promoting equality for minority groups and making a difference to society.

Raheem Sterling, one of the most prominent figures in football speaking out against racism while simultaneously being a victim of far-right abuse himself, received the Sportsperson award.

Bollywood sensation Amy Jackson was in attendance, taking home the Influencer award, while legendary broadcaster Moira Stuart OBE won the Media Impact award for her outstanding career over the last 40 years.

Multi-award-winning singer, Emeli Sandé was honoured with the HSBC Icon award and Real Housewives of Cheshire star Seema Malhotra scooped the Entrepreneur award following the success of her Forever Unique clothing brand.

Other winners included Liverpool’s first ever black Lord Mayor, Councillor Anna Rothery, while big brands including ASOS and Royal Bank of Scotland were also recognised for their work in promoting diversity over the past year.

Birgit Neu, Head of Diversity and Inclusion UK at HSBC: “The talent displayed by the winners at this year’s Ethnicity Awards was incredible and shone a light on the incredible work being done to ensure that all people are afforded equal opportunity, regardless of race or ethnicity.

“At HSBC we want to ensure an inclusive culture that allows us to attract, retain, engage and deploy the best diverse talent in the UK. We know there is much more to do and the awards have proved, yet again, that there is great talent to be found.”

Founder of the Ethnicity Awards, Sarah Garrett MBE, said: “With the hostile political climate we’re currently living in, it has never been so important to lift up the people counteracting the hate and highlight the wonderful role models who are often under-represented.

“I congratulate all of the winners and those shortlisted for their efforts. We’re thrilled that our second ever awards have been another outstanding success, building on what we achieved in 2018.”

The full winners list is as follows:

PUBLIC

HSBC UK – ICON

EMELI SANDÉ

INSPIRATIONAL PUBLIC FIGURE

GEMMA CHAN

INFLUENCER

AMY JACKSON

LGIM – CHARITY OR COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

BLACK PRIDE UK

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITIES

BLACK PRIDE UK

BRAND

ASOS

MEDIA IMPACT

MOIRA STUART OBE 

POLITICAL FIGURE

LORD MAYOR COUNCILLOR ANNA ROTHERY

SPORTSPERSON

RAHEEM STERLING

OUTSTANDING EMPLOYER

RBS

LLOYDS BANKING GROUP – INSPIRATIONAL LEADER

CHIEF INSPECTOR KAREN GEDDES

ENTREPRENEUR

SEEMA MALHOTRA

VIACOM – WORKPLACE HERO

JAT BAINS, MACFARLANES

RBS – FUTURE LEADER

DENNIS OWUSU-SEM, BMO GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT

NATIONAL GRID – CHAMPION (ALLY)

FIONA CANNON OBE, LLOYDS BANKING GROUP

TESCO – NETWORK GROUP (ERG)

RACE TO THE TOP, CIVIL SERVICE