At ThinkGlobal HR, we support global companies to build inclusive, compliant, people-first workplaces. But inclusion isn’t just a policy, a strategy, or a tick box. It’s a commitment to shaping the world we want to live in. That’s why we proudly sponsored the Diversity & Inclusion Awards Wales 2024 — an event that didn't just celebrate inclusion. It embodied it.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear this wasn’t your average awards night. It was a night where difference was honoured, barriers were dismantled, and joy was contagious. Not through performance or pretence, but through thoughtful design and community-led values.

As a disabled woman who leads a business with a global reach, I spend a lot of time in spaces that aren’t built with people like me in mind. This one was. And I can’t tell you what that means — to me, to our team, and to the future of work in Wales and beyond.

An event where inclusion wasn’t just talked about – it was built in

The Diversity & Inclusion Awards Wales 2024, hosted in Cardiff, brought together people from across sectors — public, private, third, grassroots — all there to celebrate the people, teams and organisations driving real equity forward.

But what stood out most wasn’t just who was recognised. It was how the event itself was designed.

There was a sensory map at the entrance to help neurodivergent attendees prepare for the environment ahead. A calm cove for anyone needing a sensory break. BSL interpreters signed throughout the evening. And instead of asking guests to clap loudly (which can be overwhelming for some), we were all given rainbow wave wands to celebrate wins — making joy accessible, visible, and beautifully normalised.

This is what it means to host an inclusive event. Not just physically accessible. Not just performative. Thoughtful. Designed with a range of human needs in mind.

Celebrating excellence in every category

Each finalist brought their own story of courage, progress, and relentless work to break down barriers. As sponsors, we were especially proud to see so many unsung heroes being platformed — people who work behind the scenes, quietly pushing for change that benefits everyone.

A huge congratulations to all the winners. You didn’t just earn an award — you raised the standard.

A moment that captured the spirit of the night

If there was one moment that summed up the power of the event, it was the performance by the Tenovus Cancer Care Choir. As their voices rose together — people of different ages, backgrounds, and experiences united in song — the entire room was lifted.

No hierarchy. No assumptions. Just connection.

It reminded me why we do this work. Why ThinkGlobal HR exists. Why ThinkEDI was born. Because inclusion isn’t a corporate trend. It’s a human need. And when we get it right, the impact echoes beyond the room — into homes, communities, workplaces, and lives.

What this means for ThinkGlobal HR

Sponsoring this event wasn’t a PR exercise. It was a values decision. Our team works every day to help global businesses build fairer systems. We write inclusive policies, localise contracts, navigate compliance, and design HR infrastructures that scale with equity in mind.

But sponsorship is also action. It’s showing up. Lending our voice, our platform, and our resources to the people doing the work on the ground — in Wales, in communities, in organisations that deserve recognition.

We’ll continue building partnerships that reflect our mission. We’ll keep supporting events like this that remind us why inclusion isn’t a side project. It’s the main work.

The Diversity & Inclusion Awards Wales 2024 didn’t just celebrate difference. It created belonging. It was a room full of people who believed in a better way of doing business, being in community, and building futures.

The atmosphere was electric. The emotion was real. And the impact will last long beyond the applause — or the gentle wave of a rainbow wand.

What’s next for your global people strategy?

Book a free compliance check-in or HR audit with ThinkGlobal HR. Whether you’re expanding into new countries or strengthening your policies at home, we help you embed inclusion and compliance into the core of your operations.