Denise Welch Brings the House Down in Her Jimmy Choos at the British Diversity Awards 2026
It was all glitz and glamour last night at the 2026 British Diversity Awards—an event that once again proved why it remains one of the most important evenings in the UK’s cultural and social calendar. A glittering yet deeply meaningful celebration, the awards honour those driving equality, inclusion and representation across every corner of British society.
Held at the prestigious JW Marriott Grosvenor House, the ceremony brought together a powerful mix of activists, celebrities, campaigners and changemakers, all united by a shared commitment to progress.
My own claim to fame? I was the first to get founder—and, as actress Denise Welch famously described her, “the head lesbian of the world”—Linda Riley into full make-up and a black-tie suit. In fact, I even managed to get Denise herself into men’s tailoring.
But enough about me.
Linda Riley, whose vision continues to shape the awards into a global platform for recognition and change, remains a pioneering force in LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion. She has spent decades championing underrepresented voices, and through the British Diversity Awards has created more than just an event—she has built a movement that celebrates courage, resilience and authenticity in all its forms.
The 2026 ceremony carried an unmistakable sense of urgency as well as celebration. In a world still grappling with inequality, the awards served as both recognition and reminder—that diversity is not a trend, but a necessity. The room was filled with individuals and organisations who have gone beyond performative gestures, delivering tangible change in workplaces, communities and public life.
Denise Welch brought the house down with her trademark humour, joking about her “Jimmy Choos” while speaking passionately as a long-time supporter of diversity and inclusion initiatives. Her presence underscored the importance of allyship within the entertainment industry. Known for her outspoken nature and advocacy, Welch represents a generation of public figures increasingly using their platforms to amplify marginalised voices.
The red carpet itself was a dazzling display of individuality and expression, with stars embracing fashion as a form of identity. Among them, Christine McGuinness turned heads in a striking black ensemble, embodying both glamour and confidence as she joined fellow attendees in celebrating the evening’s message. Sinitta turned heads with not only her beauty but her personality she is a long term supporter of the British Diversity awards
But beyond the glamour, the true power of the night lay in the stories being honoured. The British Diversity Awards recognise individuals and organisations across a wide spectrum—race, gender, disability, LGBTQ+ rights, age and social mobility—reflecting the richness and complexity of modern Britain. Each award tells a story of perseverance: barriers broken, stereotypes challenged and communities uplifted.
What sets these awards apart is their authenticity. Unlike many industry events, they are rooted in lived experience. They shine a light not only on high-profile figures but also on grassroots activists and unsung heroes—those working tirelessly behind the scenes to create a more inclusive society. This balance between celebrity and community gives the event its unique integrity.
Inside the ballroom, the atmosphere was one of both celebration and reflection. Applause was not just for achievement, but for courage—the courage to speak out, to stand up and to demand better. In many ways, the awards act as a mirror to society, reflecting both how far we have come and how much further we must go.
For Linda Riley and her team, the mission remains clear: to educate, inspire and empower. As the evening drew to a close, one thing was abundantly evident—the British Diversity Awards are not just about recognition; they are about momentum. They remind us that diversity is dynamic, inclusion is ongoing, and equality requires constant vigilance.
In a city as vibrant and varied as London, the 2026 awards felt particularly resonant. They captured the spirit of a nation evolving—sometimes slowly, sometimes imperfectly—but always moving forward. And thanks to the tireless work of individuals like Linda Riley, alongside the visible support of figures such as Denise Welch, that progress is not only acknowledged, but celebrated in style.
Ultimately, the British Diversity Awards 2026 were more than a night of accolades—they were a statement. A statement that diversity matters, that representation matters, and that the voices of many will always be stronger than the silence of a few.
And as for style—well, I wore a suit painted by Piluca, the Spanish artist who champions diversity through her work. Denise’s husband, artist Lincoln Townley, also embraced the moment in Jimmy Choo. Fashion, after all, was as bold and expressive as the message itself.
The evening was topped off by the wonderful Blue with Riley joining as a fifth member . Duncan was looking particularly hot .
BRITISH DIVERSITY AWARDS 2026 – WINNERS
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Sir Lenny Henry
Media Champion of the Year
- Chris McCausland
- Ria Hebden
Athlete Empowering Positive Change
- Tess Howard MBE
Community Project of the Year
- Trans is Human
Head of Diversity of the Year
- Reema Samuel-Lewis (Sky UK Ltd)
Changemaker of the Year
- Natalie Ojevah MBE (Barclays)
Diversity Team of the Year
- Community and Culture Team (CBRE)
Charity or Not-for-Profit of the Year
- HAWA Multicultural Services CIC
Inspirational Role Model of the Year
- Tokeer Ahmed (Capgemini)
Outstanding Employee Network of the Year
- Menopause Network (Barratt Redrow)
Outstanding Women’s Network of the Year
- WiNTR – Women in Non-Traditional Roles (National Grid)
Outstanding Ability Network of the Year
- RespectAbility (Manchester Airports Group)
Outstanding LGBTQIA Network of the Year
- LGBTQ+ at Sky (Sky UK Ltd)
Outstanding Ethnicity Network of the Year
- REACH (Kingsley Napley)
Social Mobility Initiative of the Year
- Digilearning x Accenture Social Mobility Month (Accenture)
Diversity Champion of the Year
- Brendan Hegarty (NatWest Social & Community Capital)
Global Diversity Initiative of the Year
- ‘Equity Engine’ Initiative (King)
Company of the Year
- BDO UK
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Community Project of the Year
- Ability Today (Academy for Disabled Journalists)
Head of Diversity of the Year
- Rebecca Ormond (SMBC Group)
Changemaker of the Year
- Dr Kamran Iqbal (Chiesi UK)
Diversity Team of the Year
- Global Diversity and Inclusion Team (Standard Chartered)
Inspirational Role Model of the Year
- Jo Powell (Deutsche Bank)
Athlete Empowering Positive Change
- Ellie Simmonds MBE
Outstanding Employee Network of the Year
- Journey ERG (HSBC UK)
Outstanding Women’s Network of the Year
- Connected Women (ScottishPower)
Outstanding Ability Network of the Year
- DHL Supply Chain Abilities Alliance (DHL)
Outstanding LGBTQIA Network of the Year
- Wipro Europe Pride ERG (Wipro)
Outstanding Ethnicity Network of the Year
- Race Equality Network (University of Birmingham)
Social Mobility Initiative of the Year
- Mental Health Research For All (NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North Thames)
Diversity Champion of the Year
- Charlotte Helliwell (Lockton)
Global Diversity Initiative of the Year
- Building Forever (De Beers Group)
Company of the Year
- ScottishPower
https://www.britishdiversityawards.com
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/longh-jw-marriott-grosvenor-house-london/overview/
https://www.jimmychoo.com/en/home
Fashion pictures of Linda and Denise taken by Graham Martin.
https://www.grahammartinphotography.co.uk
https://www.channel5.com/show/life-of-riley-head-lesbian-of-the-world
2Shades Magazine 