Warwickshire County Cricket Club has been recognised as a leading employer in the West Midlands after winning the Best Company for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion award at the inaugural Birmingham Business Best Places to Work Awards.
The awards celebrate organisations that make Birmingham a great place to work, shining a spotlight on businesses that understand the vital role a happy, engaged and loyal workforce plays in long-term success. They recognise employers who foster positive cultures, empower their people and create environments where talent can truly thrive.
Warwickshire’s success in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category reflects the Club’s commitment to embedding inclusive values across every level of the organisation. The award honours companies that create workplaces where everyone feels valued and respected, while ensuring diversity and inclusion are not just principles but are fully embedded into culture and leadership.
For Warwickshire, the accolade highlights a sustained focus on building an environment where colleagues feel supported, heard and able to reach their full potential. Through inclusive recruitment practices, encouraging open dialogue and championing equality, the Club continues to demonstrate how sporting organisations can lead meaningful change beyond the field of play.
Ben Bird, Head of People and Culture at Warwickshire, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have won this award. To receive external recognition for the progress we’ve made on diversity, equity and inclusion is a real honour, and it reflects the commitment of colleagues right across Warwickshire Cricket who continue to shape and strengthen our Edgbaston for Everyone agenda every day.
“This is very much a collective achievement, and one that encourages us to keep building an environment where everyone feels valued, supported and able to thrive.”
In addition to winning the DE&I award, Warwickshire was also shortlisted for Best for Health & Wellbeing. This category recognises organisations that actively support the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of their employees through embedded policies and practices. The shortlisting reflects the Club’s ongoing commitment to creating a workplace that prioritises the overall wellbeing of its people.
The Birmingham Business Best Places to Work Awards aim to celebrate employers that put people at the heart of their organisations. By highlighting those that invest in their workforce and build inclusive, supportive cultures, the awards reinforce the importance of creating workplaces where individuals feel engaged, valued and motivated.
Winning the Best for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion award marks a proud moment for Warwickshire. It reinforces the Club’s commitment to inclusion and provides further momentum to continue driving progress across equality, workplace culture and employee wellbeing