2015

The Rochdale Diversity Awards ceremony was a remarkable event, held in the splendid setting of Rochdale Town Hall on the evening of Thursday, May 28, 2015. The Grand Hall played host to a diverse and illustrious gathering, featuring members representing every facet of our community, senior public sector officials, and distinguished guests.

This prestigious occasion served as a platform to applaud and commend the outstanding endeavors of individuals, organizations, and employers who have fervently championed the cause of equality, diversity, and unity within our beloved borough. Moreover, it was a rallying call to inspire service providers to place equality and diversity at the core of their efforts, particularly amidst the challenges posed by the remodelling and transformations necessary in light of austerity measures.

The proceedings were formally initiated by Zulf Ahmed, the CEO of KYP, who extended a warm welcome to our esteemed guests and finalists. Zulf aptly set the tone for the evening by remarking, “Tonight, we shall witness and celebrate shining examples of best practices across all sectors of our community: private, public, and voluntary organisations, as well as individuals, groups, and partnerships. These are the elements that fill me with pride as a Rochdalian. It is our collective duty to challenge any negative portrayals of Rochdale and to celebrate the abundance of positive aspects within our borough. After all, we have ample reasons to be proud, and our collective aim should be crystal clear: to work together in cooperation, fostering harmony and prosperity for the residents and communities of Rochdale.”

The event featured notable speakers, including Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, Cllr Richard Farnell (Leader of Rochdale Council), Tony Lloyd (The Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester), and Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Sir Peter Fahy.

The calibre of entries this year was extraordinarily high, posing a considerable challenge to our esteemed judging panel. Their arduous task in selecting winners for each category underscores the remarkable work being undertaken by individuals and organisations across our borough. Heartfelt congratulations to all the finalists and the well-deserved winners.