The Cumberland has been lauded for its work on neurodiversity at the 2024 British HR Awards.

The building society's team was presented with Highly Commended in the Financial Services Company of the Year category in London.

This acknowledgement shines a spotlight on The Cumberland's efforts in creating the Neurodiversity Toolkit, a guide designed to foster awareness and support for conditions such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Louise Blake, head of people at The Cumberland said: "We're delighted to receive this recognition and be highly commended for our focus on neurodiversity.

“We’re very proud of everyone who has been involved in this work, in particular Abbie Curzon, people coordinator, whose passion continues to make a real difference in opening up conversations around this important subject.

“It is recognition too for Owl Blue, the charity who have supported us on this journey and continue to help us as we embed the work further.”

The Neurodiversity Toolkit, launched last year with assistance from Cumbrian charity Owl Blue, includes personal accounts from neurodiverse colleagues, discusses the challenges of neurodiverse conditions and their value to the workplace, recommends resources, and provides guidance on disclosing neurodiverse conditions.

Owl Blue, which supports neurodiverse individuals and their families, also conducted neurodiversity training at The Cumberland.

Development manager Sean Turney, a recipient of Owl Blue's support and a part of the team that attended the award ceremony, said: “The Cumberland has invested heavily in the wellbeing of its workforce.

“My understanding of neurodiversity has improved significantly through our training workshops with Owl Blue.

“Now everything in my life makes much more sense, and it is thought that I am autistic.

“The reaction and support from my family, friends and colleagues at The Cumberland has been overwhelmingly positive. I’ve quickly learned to embrace it and I now feel empowered to help others.”

This year's British HR Awards saw fierce competition with more than 300 entries from a diverse range of organisations including startups, public sector and global companies.

The function, hosted by comedian Fiona Allen, involved a judging panel that included leading HR professionals such as Louise Benford, chief people officer at The AA, and Helen Tindle, HR director at Iceland Foods.