Honours at the European Diversity Awards 2015

Former Director of the BBC Journalism Trainee Scheme Claire Prosser was honoured with a posthumous lifetime achievement award last night at the European Diversity Awards. Mark Wray at the BBC Academy has blogged about the award. Claire’s husband Paul Clabburn, who accepted the award last night, said in his acceptance speech:

“Claire's view was that she was to challenge; challenge pre-conceptions around recruitment, challenge existing ways of doing things.

The philosophy she brought to the role was one she carried throughout her life, a philosophy rooted in a feminism that stated simply that all should have equality of opportunity.

It wasn't about giving one individual or another advantage, it was about believing nobody should suffer disadvantage. It was why she believed so deeply in those who had thought the BBC was not for them and would for ever be beyond their reach.”



Watch a profile of Claire featuring those who worked with her on the Academy website. Following Claire’s death in December last year, BBC staff website Ariel reported from her memorial service. 

There was further recognition for the BBC at the European Diversity Awards.

The BBC Academy was Highly Commended in the Most Inclusive Employer category for the Local Apprenticeship Scheme following the great work shown in innovatively engaging audiences and communities outside of the BBC and helping to recruit and create an inclusive and diverse BBC workforce.

BBC News’ North America Correspondent Aleem Maqbool was also Highly Commended in the Journalist of the Year category for his reporting on race relations in the US following the Ferguson shooting.