NOC wins Mersey Maritime Industry Diversity Champion Award

NOC has been awarded the Mersey Maritime Industry Awards 2024 Diversity Champion Award, recognising its commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for staff, students and the broader scientific community.

The regional maritime awards, which?celebrates the success of the Mersey maritime cluster, was on Friday night (October 25) in the iconic Liverpool Cathedral , near to NOC’s Liverpool site.

The award highlights NOC’s dedication to creating a workplace where all individuals, regardless of background, feel valued, supported and empowered to contribute to the organisation’s success.

NOC's equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives span a range of activities, from celebrating International Women’s Day and Pride Month to creating spaces for neurodivergent colleagues and launching an LGBTQIA+ staff network.

Over the past year, NOC has taken significant steps to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity, including the appointment of a dedicated Culture Co-ordinator to spearhead EDI efforts.

It also established a Culture Club, a working group with over 50 members committed to driving positive change across NOC’s four sites, Southampton and Liverpool and the Royal Research Ships (RRS) James Cook and RRS Discovery.

The organisation has also introduced?additional public engagement activities to inspire future generations of ocean scientists from diverse backgrounds.

Reflecting on the award, Jill Burgess , Commercial Development Manager at NOC, said: “We are incredibly proud to be recognised for our work in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.

“At NOC, we believe that a diverse and inclusive community is key to driving innovation and scientific excellence. This award is a testament to the hard work and passion of our entire team, who strive to make NOC a place where everyone can thrive.”

As NOC continues its journey towards greater inclusion, the organisation remains committed to ensuring that diversity is not only celebrated but integrated into every aspect of its work, helping to shape the future of ocean science.