Marking the second in-person iteration of the event since the pandemic, the CIPD People Management Awards ceremony took place yesterday (22 September), at Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
The evening gave well-deserved recognition to innovative teams across the country for their outstanding work across a range of HR initiatives and projects.
Opening proceedings and in keeping with the positive feel of the event, Peter Cheese, CEO of the CIPD, as well as addressing the post-pandemic cost of living crisis setbacks and recent noise about the trend of ‘quiet quitting’, also kicked things off with a nod to the wins and the resilience the industry has demonstrated during these turbulent times.
He also celebrated the fact that the unemployment rate for May to July 2022 had decreased to the lowest rate since 1974, according to the ONS, as well as the fact the number of people unemployed for over 12 months had continued to decrease.
Cheese also reminisced about the impact of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the personal effect the news of her passing might have had on some. He noted the influence and significance of the late monarch as a constant in an ever-changing world and emphasised how grateful he was to have personally met the Queen and the now-King Charles and voiced his appreciation that the CIPD has Chartered status, which brings an extra layer of support and recognition to so many industry professionals.
Congratulating the winners and highly commended finalists and thanking the esteemed judges, Cheese emphasised how the HR and people development profession really is a force for change.
Focusing on impressive examples of HR innovation, projects and teams, this year’s winners, awarded by journalist and presenter Clive Myrie, are…
Best apprenticeship scheme
Winner: Virgin Media O2
Best change management initiative
Winner: Coventry Building Society
Highly Commended: Trayport
Best digital/technology initiative in HR/L&D
Winner: Deutsche Post DHL Group
Highly Commended: Mott MacDonald
Best employee experience initiative
Winner: SUEZ recycling and recovery UK
Best flexible working initiative
Winner: Citizen
Best health and wellbeing initiative – private sector
Winner: Bosch UK
Highly Commended: SUEZ recycling and recovery UK
Best health and wellbeing initiative – public/third sector
Winner: Midland Heart
Best HR/L&D consultancy
Winner: The Clear Company
Highly Commended: Culture Consultancy
Best HR/L&D supplier
Winner: OpenBlend
Best inclusion and diversity initiative
Winner: Shaw Trust
Best L&D initiative – private sector
Winner: Arla Foods Ltd
Highly Commended: Openreach
Best L&D initiative – public/third sector
Winner: United Nations Development Programme
Highly Commended: Shaw Trust
Best organisational development or organisational design initiative
Winner: Circle Health Group
Best people analytics initiative
Winner: Standard Chartered
Highly Commended: Cadent Gas Limited
Best resourcing initiative
Winner: Police Service of Northern Ireland
Highly Commended: Midland Heart
Best responsible business initiative
Highly Commended: Accenture & World Economic Forum, in collaboration with Cognician
Best reward or recognition initiative
Winner: SUEZ recycling and recovery UK
Highly Commended: Westminster Drug Project (WDP)
Best SME people management initiative
Winner: Maverick Media
Highly Commended: N T Killingley Ltd
Best talent management initiative
Winner: United Nations Development Programme
Michael Kelly outstanding student award - foundation/intermediate level
Winner: Gemma Berrington – Softcat Ltd
Michael Kelly outstanding student award - advanced level
Winner: Jamila Lecky – Mott MacDonald
Best HR/ L&D team of the year – public/ third sector
Winner: University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Highly Commended: Humberside Police
Best HR/ L&D team of the year – private sector
Winner: Circle Health Group
Highly Commended: Wales & West Utilities Limited