Anthony Watson, managing director and chief information officer for the retail and banking arm of Barclays Europe, has been announced as the new chair of judges for the European Diversity Awards 2013.
Watson, 36, has a history of accomplishment in the field of diversity and has been listed on various polls of LGBT achievers, including being ranked 56th in the World Pride Power List. The list highlighted Watson's achievements alongside other notables such as Tom Cook, chief executive of Apple, and Lord Browne, former chief executive of BP.
Watson is an ardent supporter of various LGBT charities across Europe and has spoken in several schools about diversity and LGBT issues, as well as career options. This year he was awarded the Abercrombie & Fitch Diversity Champion of the Year, reflecting his commitment and dedication to the LGBT and diversity cause.
It is fitting that such a preeminent figure should be the new head of judges for the prestigious European Diversity Awards, which recognise the best individuals and organisations that have shown commitment to inclusion, diversity and equality.
Accepting his new appointment, Watson said: "I am deeply honoured at being asked to take over from Mark Palmer-Edgecumbe as chair of judges of the European Diversity Awards. Mark has been a truly outstanding chair since the inception of the EDA in 2010. Indeed, he has set a very high bar for any successor. I look forward to 2013 with a great deal of excitement."
Mark Palmer-Edgecumbe, head of diversity and inclusion at Google EMEA, who will be stepping down from the post after two years as chair of the judging panel, said: "I was delighted to be asked to chair the judging panel of the European Diversity Awards from their inception. It has been an exciting journey to see the awards grow from their small beginnings to become the Oscars of diversity in such a short space of time. I am delighted that Anthony Watson is assuming the chair of judges role, and I have every confidence that his business experience, energy and dynamism will be great assets to the judging panel."
Linda Riley, managing director of Square Peg Media, organisers of the European Diversity Awards, thanked Palmer-Edgecumbe for his hard work and dedication to the post, saying: "Mark's knowledge of diversity, his enthusiasm and his integrity have been key to ensuring that the awards have become the gold standard for diversity awards in Europe."
She added: "I am delighted that such an experienced professional as Anthony Watson is able to replace Mark, as he brings both business leadership and diversity experience to the job, and will be an immense asset to the judging panel as its new chair."
Categories and criteria for the 2013 awards will be released on 28 January 2013 and the next European Diversity Awards will take place on 26 September 2013 at the Natural History Museum in London.
Content produced and controlled by Square Peg Media, supporter of the Diversity Hub.
