We are incredibly proud to say we have been named Most Diverse Technology Recruitment Partner 2026 – UK at the Global Business Awards 2026.
Since our win, we’ve found that 3 big questions keep popping into our heads:
- What does being a “diverse technology recruitment partner” actually mean?
- What does this award mean to us as a team?
- & what do we do differently when it comes to recruitment
And after much pondering, here’s where we’ve landed.
What being a “diverse technology recruitment partner” means
For us, it isn’t about hitting a quote or adding a few names to a shortlist at the last minute. It’s about access and fairness in recruitment; making sure talented people from every background can be found, are assessed on what they can do, and get a genuine chance at the role.
The word “partner” matters a lot to us too because we aren’t just in the business of sending CVs; we actually want to work alongside our clients and become an additional arm of their business. We want to ask questions about how they hire, and when needed, gently challenge the habits that quietly narrow a talent pool.
It also means looking after candidates. To us, a diverse process is one where people feel respected, informed and supported, whether or not they get the job.
What this award means to us
“When Nicola and I started Hera, we had a really clear idea of the talent partner we wanted to be. 3 years later, and that hasn’t changed. Diversity was never going to be a bolt-on. It shapes how we write a brief, who we go out and find, and how we treat every candidate, whether they get the job or not.
So being named Most Diverse Technology Recruitment Partner in Corporate Vision’s Global Business Awards means everything! We’re a small team, and we’re so grateful to the founders who trust us with their hiring and the candidates who’ve backed us along the way. 55% of the CVs we introduce to clients are women’s, which in the Technology industry is something we’re really proud of.
There’s still plenty to do, but today we’re going to enjoy this one. It’s a brilliant reminder of why we started Hera in the first place.” – Emma Storey and Nicola Morse, Co-Founders of Hera
What Hera does differently
There’s no single trick to inclusive recruitment; it’s a set of small, consistent choices at every stage:
- We talk through the brief properly with clients first. If a role doesn’t really need a degree or years of experience, we’ll say so.
- We keep job adverts simple and honest.
- We help clients interview fairly, so everyone gets the same questions and is judged on what they can actually do.
- We treat candidates well by keeping them updated, making adjustments when they need them and giving real feedback.
- We don’t disappear once someone’s been offered the job. We keep in touch to make sure it’s working out for everyone.
Looking to the future
We still think the UK tech sector does have a way to go on representation, but this award does tell us that we are heading in the right direction. So, we’ll keep listening, keep learning, and keep pushing for hiring that is fairer for everyone.
Thank you to the Global Business Awards and the judging panel, and to everyone who has worked with us along the way.
Looking to build a more diverse tech team, or exploring your next role? Please do reach out to our team; we are always happy for a chat, especially when it involves coffee & cake!