Avtar Awards IBM Leader the 2024 Male Ally Legacy Award and Bosch Limited the Social Excellence Award at the 8th Avtar and Seramount Best of the Best DEI Conference

Amit Sharma, Managing Partner – Global Delivery, IBM Consulting, wins the Male Ally Legacy Award championing women’s advancement in the organization.• Bosch Limited emerges victorious for their “Employment linked Short Term Training Programs”. *Chennai, November , 2024*: Avtar Group, India’s pioneers in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Consulting, announced the winners of the 2024 Avtar & Seramount Social Excellence Award and Male Ally Legacy Awards (MALA). The Awards were announced in Chennai at the eighth edition of Avtar and Seramount Best of the Best Conference 2024, India’s most respected conference on DEI.The Best of the Best is an annual DEI conference conducted by Avtar Group, India’s leading Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) solutions firm. The Best Practices of the Best Conference (BOB) is a celebration of the winners of the 2024 Avtar & Seramount Best Companies for Women in India (BCWI) Most Inclusive Companies Index (MICI), Male Ally Legacy Award (Men championing gender inclusion) and Social Excellence Award towards enabling social inclusion The Male Ally Legacy Award celebrates male allies who have spearheaded change in the mindsets and attitudes towards women at the workplace. Meanwhile, the Avtar & Seramount Social Excellence Award for is a recognition programme to identify and celebrate the most impactful social impact initiative amongst applicant companies. This award was conferred upon, Bosch Limited for their Employment linked Short Term Skilling Programs for the underprivileged. Themed at #PrismOfDiversity, the eighth successive edition of The Best Practices of the Best Conference (BOB) 2024 brought forth conversations on how the convergent DEI becomes a powerful tool for fostering innovation, nurturing creativity and enhancing employee experience. Ms Halima Holland, British Deputy High Commissioner for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, who was present at the conference as the chief guest, said, “Equality is at the heart of everything we do as the UK government and our commitment to empowering women and girls remains steadfast. I am delighted to learn about the pioneering work of Avtar and Seramount in fostering an inclusive and diverse corporate culture and congratulate all the companies who are moving the needle with respect to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.”Speaking at the conference, Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Founder – President, Avtar Group, said, “At the core of lasting change is the commitment to equity by all. Today, we celebrate our male allies — those who champion the voices, ambitions, and growth of women not as an obligation, but as a core belief. The Male Ally Legacy Award honors those who understand that equity benefits everyone, leaving a legacy of inclusive progress. MALA is a call to action, urging leaders across the globe to recognize their role in building a culture where allyship is more than an initiative; it is a way of being.”“We are delighted to shine the spotlight on organizations that are committed to creating social impact and enabling social inclusion. Through comprehensive programs towards skilling and livelihood creation for the marginalized segments of the society, these organizations are role-models that foster inclusive growth.” Dr. Saundarya added.The two-day conference had over 40 speakers from different walks of life deliberating over key challenges, solutions in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion journey of achieving equitable workplaces. *2024 Avtar & Seramount Social Excellence Award – Winner*• Bosch Limited*2024 Avtar & Seramount Social Excellence Award – Choice of Jury Winners (Company names listed alphabetically)*• PwC in India• Tech Mahindra Limited*2024 Male Ally Legacy Awards (MALA) – Winner*• Amit Sharma, Managing Partner – Global Delivery, IBM Consulting *2024 Male Ally Legacy Awards (MALA) – Choice of Jury Winners (Listed alphabetically as per company names)*• Jignesh Bhate, Chief Executive, Molecular Connections Private Limited • Milind Nerurkar, Managing Director, Citibank