The winners of the Mastering Diversity Awards 2025 have been unveiled at the Senedd.
Hosted by founder Bernie Davies alongside journalist Molly Stephens, the ceremony honoured individuals and organisations who are shaping Wales into a nation where diversity is purpose-driven, principled and permanent.
The evening began with the premiere of the documentary Mastering Diversity, directed by Georgios Dimitropoulos, chronicling the growth of the movement and the individuals behind it, with a speech from Gavin Sheppard.
Dignitaries in attendance included:
- Rt. Hon. Vaughan Gething MS — Event Sponsor
- The Lord Mayor and Mayoress of Cardiff
- Andrew Howell DL
- Agnes Xavier-Phillips DL
- Patrons Janey Howell and Edward Watts MBE DL
The winners of the awards are:
Public Sector – Sponsored by Tramshed Tech
GOLD:
- Winner – Mutale Merrill OBE, BAWSO
SILVER:
- Rae Cornish, Welsh Government
BRONZE
- Dave Crews, South Wales Fire & Rescue
Meritorious Award:
- Shirley Newbury, Neath Port Talbot Council
Representation – Sponsored by CBC / BBC Wales
GOLD:
- Anna Louise Bates, Believe Organ Donors
SILVER:
- Osamagbe Izevbigie, OTID
BRONZE:
- Nicola Noel, Brainworks Therapy
Meritorious Award:
- Naheed Ashraf & Azra, Active Lives
Rising Star:
Anna Cooper, Menstrual Health Project
Cognitive & Neurodiversity – Sponsored by Voce Consult Ltd
GOLD:
- Dr Kai Thomas, Cardiff University
SILVER:
- Helen Rees, Neuroble
BRONZE:
- Ellie Starkwood
Meritorious Award:
- Mohammed Islam, Seeds of Hope
STEM – Sponsored by Ogi
GOLD:
- Wendy Sadler MBE, Science Made Simple
SILVER:
- Ffion Medi-Jones, STEM & Skills Officer
BRONZE:
- Dr Tipswalo Day, Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Joint Meritorious Award:
- Professor Haley Gomez MBE, Cardiff University
- Dr Claire Jenkins, IPO
Rising Star:
- Dr Emma Yhnell, Reader in Neuroscience / Associate Dean of EDI
Outstanding Achievement:
- Professor Sue Wong CBE, Experimental Diabetes & Metabolism
Lifetime Achievement – Sponsored by Leigh Day
Joint GOLD Awardees:
- Mutale Merrill OBE & Professor Sue Wong CBE, BAWSO & Cardiff University
Gender Equality – Sponsored by Legal News Wales
GOLD:
- Nicola Noel, Brainworks Therapy
SILVER:
- Lesley Williams, Welsh ICE
BRONZE:
- Dr Joanna Martin, Cardiff University
Meritorious Award:
- Beth Baldwin, Fabulous Facilitator
Rising Star:
- Gabriella Pearson, Menstrual Health Project
Sports – Sponsored by Team Wales / Commonwealth Games
GOLD:
- Disability Sport Wales, National Federation
SILVER:
- Cymru Unleashed, OTID / Afrowales
BRONZE:
- Urdd Gobaith Cymru, National Youth Organisation
Meritorious Award:
- Cymru Women’s Sport, National Advocacy Body
Rising Star:
- Iona McDougall, Disability & Inclusion Advocate
Health – Sponsored by Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust
GOLD:
- Emma Wootten
SILVER:
- Barbara Chidgey
Joint BRONZE:
- Faith Walker & Ireoluwa (Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia UK), SCT Cymru
- Emma Jay Hopkins, Wellfinite
Meritorious Award:
- Sartha Rajoo
Rising Star:
- Athika Ahmed
Education – Sponsored by Fintech Wales
GOLD:
- Shubnam Aziz, Mount Stuart Primary School
SILVER:
- Sharon Pascoe, Fochriw Primary School
BRONZE:
- Sharon James-Evans, Cardiff & Vale College
Meritorious Award:
- Paula Timms, Kidscape / Children in Wales
Rising Star:
- Fabiola Doano, Apoyo
Business – Sponsored by NatWest and Hugh James
GOLD:
- Welsh ICE – Lesley Williams, Welsh ICE
SILVER:
- Julie Grabham, JGHR Pledge
BRONZE:
- Sadique Maskeen, Umbrella Faith
Meritorious Award:
- Ammar Akhtar, Finalrentals
- Deb Barrow, Barrow HR
Rising Star:
- Ellis Peares, Student
Community – Sponsored by Trialmed UK
GOLD:
- Ryan Thompson, Pontypridd Male Voice Choir
SILVER:
- Jenine Abdo, Duncan Lewis Solicitors
BRONZE:
- Beth Baldwin, Fabulous Facilitator
Meritorious Award:
- Lesley Williams, Welsh ICE
Rising Star:
- Osamagbe Izevbigie, OTID
One to Watch:
- Amy Hubbuck, Hidden Strength
Special Awards
Founder’s Award:
- India Dewfield
Young Person of the Year
- Kobena Amissah
