Tameside man shortlisted for Positive Role Model: LGBT Award in 2025 National Diversity Awards

Adam Zane from Tameside has been shortlisted for the Positive Role Model: LGBT Award in this year’s National Diversity Awards in association with HSBC UK.

It’s a huge achievement to reach this stage as from over 85,000 nominees, 125 finalists in 10 categories have been named in recognition of their dedication to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion.

Writer and director Adam Zane from Tameside theatre company Hive North has been shortlisted for his long-standing work as a theatre maker, educator, and activist. Adam has spent over 20 years using theatre to amplify LGBTQ+ voices and challenge prejudice. As the founder of Hive North and Hive Youth Theatre, he creates inclusive spaces where young people and creatives are empowered to thrive. His ground-breaking projects as a writer and director include Outloud, a theatre-in-education piece tackling discrimination and homophobia, which tours Tameside schools in partnership with Tameside Metropolitan Borough’s Community Safety Partnership. Since its creation, the play has reached over 50,000 young people across Greater Manchester and beyond. Adam’s play Tango’s Big Adventure celebrates diversity and different families and has toured primary schools across Tameside.

Now in their 14th year, the annual National Diversity Awards bring a beacon of hope as they highlight the great work being done by individuals and organisations committed to diversity. As the recent damaging and short sighted rhetoric risks making some people feel disenfranchised by DEI, this year’s awards are more important than ever.

A remarkable 85,000 nominations and votes were received, celebrating individuals, groups and organisations committed to continuing with diversity and inclusion activities. From these entries, the National Diversity Awards shortlist shows, once again, the indisputable and positive impact of society heroes standing up for equality.

Winners will be announced on September 19, 2025 at the prestigious National Diversity Awards in the stunning Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, hosted by broadcaster, author, presenter and journalist Clare Balding, CBE a renowned champion of diversity, inclusion and equity.

"I’m thrilled and deeply honoured to return as host for the National Diversity Awards,” says Clare Balding CBE. “Recognising the individuals, organisations and charities that go above and beyond to improve their communities is truly vital. These inspiring and uplifting awards shine a spotlight on the incredible strength and positivity of an inclusive society, celebrating community heroes whose dedication and achievements might otherwise go unrecognised."

Nominees were put forward for one of these categories:

Positive Role Model: Age / Disability / Gender / LGBT / Race, Faith or Religion

· Community Organisation: Age / Disability / Gender / LGBT / Race, Faith or Religion / Multi-Strand

· Entrepreneur of Excellence

· Diverse Company of the Year

· Celebrity of the Year

· Lifetime Achiever

The finalists in the Positive Role Model: LGBT category are: Fox Fisher, Mr DK Green, Rob Hurley, Susan Logie, Katie Neeves, G Sabini-Roberts, Patrick "Poggy" Murray Whitham and Adam Zane.

Adam said, “I’m incredibly honoured to be recognised alongside such inspiring people. Being shortlisted as an LGBTQ+ role model is a real privilege, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who nominated me. I hope this recognition encourages young LGBTQ+ artists and creatives to feel confident in their voices. I’m also proud it highlights Hive North’s work—supporting emerging talent and celebrating diverse voices. I’m really looking forward to the awards evening and celebrating the achievements of people making a difference across the UK.”

“The unsung heroes shortlisted in the National Diversity Awards help us to realise how much goodness and humility there is at the heart of our communities,” says Paul Sesay, CEO of Inclusive Companies and founder of the National Diversity Awards. “The work these people do and the empathy they show is more important than it has ever been. We are living in a time when funding and support are limited which makes community action an invaluable resource on which so many people rely. Indeed, for some, it really is a lifeline.”

You can find out more about the awards at: www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk