The 2024 CIPD Awards in Wales acknowledged top HR talent, showcasing resilience amidst industry challenges.
- Held at Cardiff City Stadium, the event featured a record-breaking number of entries, with over 80 finalists celebrated.
- 14 organisations and 9 individuals triumphed, underscoring their contributions to HR and people development.
- The awards spotlighted initiatives in equality, wellbeing, and rising stars within the HR profession.
- Winners shared insights into their success, focusing on incremental change, authenticity, and personal growth.
The 2024 Awards ceremony of the CIPD in Wales celebrated the foremost talent in HR and people development. Held at Cardiff City Stadium, the seventh annual event drew a record number of entries, with over 80 finalists competing across nine categories. This highlighted the growing recognition of HR’s role in navigating industry challenges.
A total of 14 organisations and 9 individuals were honoured for their achievements, reflecting the adaptability and innovation within Welsh HR teams. These winners demonstrated remarkable resilience in overcoming constraints such as budget tightening and skills shortages.
Notable awards included the Best Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative, won by Wales & West Utilities. Their representative commented on incremental steps to foster a more inclusive workplace, highlighting the ongoing changes in employee attitudes and language regarding diversity.
Wales & West Utilities advised other organisations seeking to improve diversity to focus on small, consistent steps, maintaining that persistence is key to achieving long-term goals.
Phil Hawkins of Credit Safe was awarded the Rising Star of the People Profession. He shared his personal journey, emphasising a shift from data analytics to a fulfilling HR career, motivated by a desire to work closely with people.
Phil Hawkins highlighted the importance of aligning career choices with personal happiness, arguing that it is not the accolades but the satisfaction from meaningful work that truly matters.
Awen Cultural Trust was recognised for the Best Wellbeing Initiative. Their approach centred on sharing personal stories to create an inclusive environment where employees feel supported in discussing mental health and personal issues.
Awen Cultural Trust’s initiative received positive feedback, with employees opening up about their experiences, underscoring the significance of fostering an authentic and supportive workplace culture.
They advised that companies prioritising wellbeing should focus on authenticity and recognise that employee support is crucial to achieving organisational performance.
The 2024 CIPD Awards in Wales celebrated the exemplary achievements in HR, underlining the importance of resilience and authenticity in driving success.
