The Judging Panel
As in previous years, our judging panels will convene to review the Shortlisted Nominee evidence submissions and select the winners for each category.
Our distinguished panel of judges will receive evidence submission packs for each of the Shortlisted Nominee evidence submissions within specific categories. After reviewing and deliberating independently, judges will submit their decisions. Subsequently, all judges are invited to a meeting to finalise the winners and discuss any categories where a consensus has not been reached. Judges with affiliations to any nominated category are excluded from deliberations on that category and must leave the room during those discussions.
The judging panel comprises business leaders and diversity specialists, all of whom are deeply committed to issues of ethnicity and the Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) agenda, both in the workplace and the broader community. The panel is responsible for deciding the winners in corporate categories. Winners in public categories are determined through a general public nomination & voting process.
Please enquire if you would like to receive more information on judging criteria or the nomination process.
2026 Judging Panel
Keryn Landey
Lloyds Banking Group
Keryn Landey is one of Lloyds Banking Group’s Inclusion Ambassadors and former Co-Chair of its Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage (REACH) Network. She is passionate about creating environments where people feel valued, represented, and able to succeed as their true selves. Keryn is a committed advocate for inclusion.
During her time leading REACH, Keryn helped shape and evolve one of the organisation’s largest colleague networks, championing greater awareness, allyship, and cultural understanding across the Group. Known for leading with clarity, courage, and authenticity, she has consistently used her voice to support colleagues, challenge constructively and ensure diverse perspectives are heard. Through thoughtful leadership and a deep appreciation of different lived experiences, she has helped create spaces where colleagues feel a genuine sense of belonging.
Alongside her inclusion work, Keryn has built a diverse career at Lloyds Banking Group spanning risk, economic crime prevention, cyber security, commercial banking and, most recently, wealth. She is recognised for her strategic approach, collaborative style, and commitment to developing others. Through both her professional and network leadership roles, she strives to create a safe and inclusive space where everyone can reach their full potential.
Keryn is incredibly proud to serve as a judge for the Investing in Ethnicity Awards, celebrating individuals and organisations driving meaningful progress in equity and inclusion.
Nana Agyemang
Barclays
Nana is a Proposition Delivery Manager in the Barclays Eagle Labs. He drives engagement on external and internal communications and propositions for the function, aiding the growth of the UK founder ecosystem, the Eagle Labs brand and broader business innovation economy. Nana produces a wide range of thought leadership content – inclusive of reports, regional investment thematics and online learning platforms.
He is highly passionate about supporting diverse communities and has led on Eagle Labs’ accelerator programme efforts, to support underrepresented founders. Nana previously delivered Eagle Labs’ Black Venture Growth Programme, set up to aid scaling Black founders and has also been a strong advocate for Female and Asian entrepreneurs. Nana is a Deputy Co-Chair of the Barclays Black Professionals Resource Group (BPRG) and has been a pivotal part of the Employee Resource Group’s leadership team, in excess of six years.
Having worked in Barclays for 12 years, Nana’s experience spans Retail and Business Banking Coverage, Employee Communications, Marketing and his current post as a Proposition Delivery Manager. He has been recognised nationally across various platforms, for his varied contributions towards banking and inclusion within corporate spaces.
Rupa Mooker
Ashurst Perkins Coie
Rupa specialised in employment law after qualifying as a solicitor in 2003, and has advocated for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the legal profession since her career began. Her work in mental health and wellbeing, increasing representation of individuals from ethnically diverse backgrounds, and improving socio-economic diversity within workplaces led to her current role.
Rupa volunteers on several committees including the Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026 (EDI & Engagement), Action for Children (Scotland National Advisory) and the BBC (Scottish Advisory on Religion & Ethics). Rupa is also a BBC Scotland contributor (tv & radio), speaker, lecturer, events host, award-winning radio presenter, and volunteers at her local Gurdwara, advising the congregation on employability and career matters. She also features as a prominent Scottish Sikh woman in the ‘Sikh Women Speak’ report which was launched at the Scottish Parliament.
Shailen Bhat
HSBC UK
Shailen is a senior financial services professional and fully qualified Chartered Accountant (ACCA) with over 10 years’ experience partnering with executive leadership teams to drive organisational effectiveness, strategic delivery, and cross-functional transformation.
Shailen also serves as Co-Chair of UK Embrace, HSBC’s Race and Ethnicity ERG, where he works to advance inclusion, strengthen representation and create greater opportunities for ethnic minority colleagues. Under his leadership, Embrace has delivered a broad programme of activity spanning cultural awareness, allyship and talent development, while building partnerships with leading organisations, external non-profits and internal employee networks.
Shailen’s contribution to the diversity, equity and inclusion agenda has been recognised through his inclusion in the 2026 Empower Top 100 Future Leaders Role Model List, where he was ranked in the Top 10. He has also brought his experience and perspective to the Ethnicity Awards, having served as a judge in both 2024 and 2025. He remains committed to using his platform to champion inclusion, celebrate difference and help create meaningful and lasting change.
Shakira Moise
Vodafone
Shakira Moise is a people-centred Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Lead at VodafoneThree, with a career spanning the public and private sectors, including higher education, public health and telecommunications. Passionate about creating environments where people feel truly seen and heard, her work focuses on translating inclusion from aspiration into meaningful action, partnering with leaders, colleagues and employee networks to drive lasting cultural change.
Prior to joining VodafoneThree, Shakira led Vodafone Group’s global Allies Against Abuse Programme, raising awareness of domestic abuse and helping to build support for survivors across the organisation. She continues to be passionate about helping organisations create cultures where survivors feel safe to seek support and have access to meaningful resources.
Alongside her professional career, Shakira is a nationally best-selling fiction author whose work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal. Her experience as both a DEI practitioner and storyteller gives her a distinctive perspective on equity and the power of lived experience. She is particularly passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices and creating opportunities for people to share their experiences in ways that drive empathy and action.