Kanya King CBE, founder of the MOBO Awards, was recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 British Diversity Awards in London, in a powerful celebration of inclusive leadership and lasting social change.
Hosted at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House on 19th March, and headlined by sponsors LSEG, the evening brought together business leaders, diversity advocates, and cultural influencers to spotlight the individuals and organisations driving meaningful progress on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across the UK.
The event was co-hosted by broadcaster Charlene White and Dr Ranj Singh, with a star-studded guest list including June Sarpong OBE, JJ Chalmers, Rosie Jones, Duncan James, and Tasha Ghouri. June Sarpong opened the ceremony with a powerful keynote address, setting the tone for an evening focused on action, allyship and accountability.
Kanya King’s award was a standout moment in the evening. Since launching the MOBO Awards in 1996, King has played a pivotal role in transforming representation in the UK music industry. Her work has created space for underrepresented voices, challenged systemic barriers, and inspired a generation of creative talent.
“This award is not just for me—it’s for every person who’s challenged the status quo and pushed for lasting change,” said King. “Diversity must be more than a conversation. It must lead to opportunity, equity and power.”
The awards also recognised corporate and community efforts to advance workplace inclusion. Monzo was named Company of the Year, while Sky UK took home Diversity Team of the Year. EDF Energy’s Women’s Network and E.ON’s LGBT+ and Friends network were among those honoured for building inclusive communities within the workplace.
Christine McGuinness received the Media Champion of the Year award for her advocacy on autism and ADHD awareness. Her BBC documentary, Unmasking My Autism, explored her experience as an autistic mother raising three neurodivergent children. Her acceptance speech was a call for compassion and deeper understanding in both personal and professional settings.
Meanwhile, rising star Cindy Ngamba, a member of the Refugee Olympic Team, was awarded Athlete Powering Positive Change for using her platform to advocate for refugee rights globally.
Linda Riley, founder of the British Diversity Awards, praised the achievements of this year’s winners:
“Diversity and inclusion are not buzzwords—they are the building blocks of a stronger society and a more dynamic workforce. The British Diversity Awards celebrates those who are not just talking about change, but making it happen.”
With sponsorship from leading employers including Amazon, BT Group, HSBC Innovation Banking, and National Grid, the event reinforced the growing commitment across sectors to embed inclusive values at every level.
For a full list of 2025 winners and more on the British Diversity Awards, visit www.britishdiversityawards.com.