Law firm RDJ wins top honour at inaugural Diversity in Business Awards 2025

Law firm RDJ has claimed the overall diversity, equality & inclusion award at the inaugural Diversity in Business Awards 2025, held at the Crowne Plaza Santry in Dublin.

The firm was also presented with the award in the professional services category at the ceremony, which celebrated organisations placing inclusivity and diversity at the foundation of their operations.

The awards event, hosted by Fiona Buckley, saw 33 companies compete across 46 entries for 15 trophies, with 150 attendees gathering to recognise excellence in gender equality, LGBTQ+ inclusion, disability representation, and cultural diversity.

RDJ was commended by the judging panel for its comprehensive DEI strategy, with particular praise for its recruitment practices, employee support programmes, training initiatives and community engagement efforts.

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The judges’ citation noted: “RDJ’s unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace culture has set a benchmark across the industry. Through bold leadership, impactful initiatives and measurable progress, RDJ exemplifies what true DEI excellence looks like. A well-deserved recognition for a team driving lasting change.”

RDJ marketing director Linda Kelleher stated: “To be recognised as a national leader for DEI is a proud moment for RDJ. We’ve worked hard to embed DEI into our culture and operations and to drive positive change in the legal industry and beyond.”

The award for DEI outstanding contribution was presented to Billy Hann, chief executive of Dublin Bus. The judging panel described Mr Hann as a transformative leader in the transportation sector, with over 30 years of experience driving operational excellence and strategic innovation.

“A passionate advocate for inclusion, he champions a workplace where diversity thrives, earning him this well-deserved recognition for outstanding DEI leadership,” said the award citation.

Mr Hann remarked: “This award is really down to the hard work of the team in Dublin Bus. We represent the communities of Dublin which we serve, so while in many ways having over 80 different nationalities in our organisation is quite phenomenal, this should be the norm.”

Among the other award winners, Rosie Ryan, HR business partner at Speed Fibre Group commented: “This recognition is a great honour and a meaningful acknowledgment of our hard work, great culture and the huge commitment that our entire team puts in every day.”

Karen O’Connor, general manager at Datapac, award winner in the ICT category, remarked: “Winning this award is a pivotal milestone in a much longer journey. We remain steadfast and are doubling down on our DE&I commitments. We believe diversity drives innovation and resilience, and we’re proud to play our part in shaping a more inclusive future for our industry.”

Open Doors Initiative received the social impact award. “It’s all down to the team’s efforts,” said chief executive Jeanne McDonagh. “They’re a diverse bunch of people and that leads to very lateral thinking and creativity and brilliance.”

Rising star award winner Mark Scully of Braver Coaching & Consulting commented: “It means so much to me to have launched myself wholeheartedly into this and to come away with the award. I’m genuinely surprised and really emotional.”

Judging coordinator Edel Conway highlighted the quality of entries, noting how organisations are embedding diversity, equality & inclusion into their culture as a core business priority rather than simply as a compliance exercise.

“It was inspiring to see how the finalists are creating workplaces where every individual feels seen, heard and valued. What set the winners apart was not just intent, but impact - clear evidence of progress, backed by data, metrics and real stories of change within their organisations,” she added.

Award winner Anthony Walsh, general manager at Flexéir, described the awards event as “amazing”. He said he was “proud and privileged to have won an award with such amazing competition”.

Susan Peña, DEI lead at Villiers School, noted that winning the award in the education category underpins the fact that Villiers is “a safe space and for young people looking for a school where they will belong.”

Deb Garrett, wellness and inclusion partner at B&Q and another award winner, stated: “So many good companies here tonight, and it’s great to know that everyone’s working hard on inclusion.”

Judging coordinator Sile Walsh explained that award winners were selected solely on the strength of their work as demonstrated in their application, allowing for diverse submissions and showcasing tailored approaches across industries.

“These awards help shift diversity and inclusion into the realm of strategic business imperatives, with applicants demonstrating how diversity and inclusion support the attraction of talent, meeting business goals, and driving meaningful change,” she said.

Alex Lynam, community lead at awards organiser Business River, commented: “Events like this are made possible through the support of our supporter and partner. We are thankful to Amárach Research and The Irish Times. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”