Mark Freed Nominated for National Diversity Awards 2026 Lifetime Achiever Award

I am genuinely humbled and incredibly grateful to have been nominated for the The National Diversity Awards 2026 in the Lifetime Achiever category.
To be recognised alongside so many people doing important work to create fairer, more inclusive workplaces and communities is a real privilege.

Over the past 25+ years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with inspiring individuals and organisations committed to driving meaningful change, from supporting women in financial services through E2W, to helping senior leaders adopt Inclusive Leadership principles through Men for Inclusion. None of this work happens alone, and this nomination reflects the many people who have challenged, supported and worked alongside me over the years.

As someone who struggled through education due to undiagnosed dyslexia and left school without qualifications, inclusion has always been deeply personal to me. I know what it feels like to be overlooked by systems not designed for everyone to thrive. That experience continues to drive my passion for creating cultures where people feel seen, heard and valued.

What makes this especially meaningful is that this is the second nomination recognising the work of Men for Inclusion this year – something I’m enormously proud of. It reflects the growing importance of engaging men as active participants in inclusion ( going beyond allyship) and creating cultures where everyone can thrive.

If my work has resonated with you, or if you believe in the importance of inclusive leadership, I’d be hugely grateful for your support and vote.
Voting closes next Wednesday, so if you would like to support the nomination, please do get your votes in before then. Click here to vote.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey so far. There is still much more work to do, but I remain optimistic about the progress we can make together.