Herald

Jun 20, 2025

The Herald & GenAnalytics Diversity Awards 2024 winners - paving the way for The Scottish Impact Awards (Image: GT) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. The new Scottish Impact Awards 2025 will celebrate purpose-led organisations who are driving real change, sustainability and inclusion, writes Jane Gotts of event partner GenAnalytics. In a world facing deep social, environmental, and economic challenges, Scotland is stepping up, not just with ambition, but with action. We are proud to officially launch the Scottish Impact Awards 2025, a new national celebration of organisations who are leading with purpose, values, and vision. This is not just another awards programme. It is a platform for recognising those who are embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into their culture, strategy, and communities and delivering tangible results. A New Kind of Recognition Developed by GenAnalytics, The Herald , and Newsquest Events , the Scottish Impact Awards build on a decade-long partnership celebrating diversity and inclusion in Scotland. In 2025, this effort evolves to reflect the broader, interconnected challenges we face, spotlighting organisations that are not only talking about change, but making it happen. These awards recognise the best of Scottish leadership across six categories that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the “5Ps” framework: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership. Jane Gotts, Director, GenAnalytics (Image: Colin Mearns) The Categories Climate Action Champion - sponsored by Scottish National Investment Bank – Leading the charge on emissions reduction, sustainability, and ethical sourcing Diversity & Inclusion Leadership - sponsored by Diageo – Championing equality, inclusive cultures, and equitable access Community Impact – Creating meaningful change in local communities through collaboration and regeneration Wellbeing & Workforce – Putting people first through mental health support, fair work, and ethical labour practices Sustainable Innovation - sponsored by Aegon – Driving the circular economy with forward-thinking solutions Governance & Transparency – Demonstrating accountability, ethical governance, and ESG performance Each award will be presented across three organisational sizes: micro, small/medium, and large which will ensure fair and inclusive recognition. Why Now? In 2025, the call for stronger, values-led leadership is louder than ever. Against the backdrop of climate change, global economic uncertainty, and rapidly shifting political dynamics, organisations are being asked to step up not just to grow profits, but to create positive, lasting impact. The Scottish Impact Awards exist to spotlight those who are doing just that. By bridging inclusion and sustainability, these awards raise awareness, drive accountability, and inspire others to act. Purpose is no longer just a buzzword, it is a business imperative. Fair and Transparent Selection Process An independent panel of Judges has been assembled from across a range of ESG disciplines, including Dr Martin Valenti, Director of Investment and Sustainable Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise; Mariam Ahmed, CEO, Amina MWRC and EHRC Scotland Committee; Laura Young, an award winning climate activist, environmental scientist, and ethical influencer known as LessWasteLaura; and Fran van Dijk, CEO, One Stone Advisors, Scotland's first B-Corp. Forming part of the awards' development steering committee before joining the judging panel, Fran said, “The Scottish Impact Awards are Scotland’s first ESG Awards and provide a unique opportunity for companies and organisations, of all sizes, to showcase best practice, good governance and sustainability commitment. As a long-time advocate of B Corp principles and sustainability impact measures, I am pleased to be part of the expert judging panel that will recognise the unique and distinctive work underway in Scotland across all sectors and regions of the country” All entrants will find clear entry criteria and desired KPIs to really showcase the impact they are making, which will be assesed by our credible panel of experts. Join Us Entries are now open through to Friday, July 25, 2025 and judging takes place in August. The awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at Radisson Blue Hotel, Glasgow. For organisations committed to making a difference, in their workplace, in their community, and across society, this is your moment to shine! To find out more, and submit your entry, visit: https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/scottish-impact-awards/