Over thirty of Northern Ireland’s top employers and HR talent have made the shortlist for the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland, 2025 which recognise organisations with the most outstanding HR talent and teams, shaping better work and working lives in Northern Ireland.
The awards – which take place on 6 March 2025 at The Titanic, Belfast – celebrate the achievements of HR professionals and people teams who play a leading role in delivering workplace initiatives and strategies to better support employees and improve business performance.
There are 14 award categories and the companies in Northern Ireland shortlisted for some of these highly regarded awards include:
- Best flexible working strategy: ASCERT and CATAGEN Ltd.
- Best health and wellbeing initiative: Almac Group Ltd, Catalyst, Collins Aerospace, Department for Communities, along with Northern Ireland Hospice, Simon Community NI and The Cedar Foundation.
- Best digital and technology initiative: HSC Leadership Centre, Police Service of Northern Ireland, The Academy at Operate, PwC.
People teams that have played a pivotal role in helping their organisation achieve its business objectives and bolster workplace support for their people are in the running for the Best HR/OD/L&D Team accolade. These include Collins Aerospace, Education Authority NI and Northern Ireland Hospice, along with Northern Ireland Water, Thales, and NIE Networks.
Peter Cheese, Chief Executive, CIPD – the professional body for HR and people development – said: “This shortlist is a very positive reflection of some of the great HR talent in Northern Ireland, and the important impact of their contribution to the success of their organisation and its people, in these critical times of change.
“My congratulations to all of the shortlist, and for their hard work and commitment to improve their working practices and investing in their employees to create a better future of work and working lives in Northern Ireland.”
Lynn Carson, Managing Director at DMS Ireland and a member of the judging panel for the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland added: “More employers than ever before are realising the benefits of putting their people first, and this was demonstrated in the exceptional calibre of entries we received this year.
“As we step into 2025, the way we work and how we work is rapidly changing, but the HR and people talent behind these shortlisted organisations are going above and beyond to adapt to meet the needs of their shifting workforce and business environment. They should be incredibly proud as they really are the backbone of their organisation.
“We look forward to celebrating the positive impact and achievements of all our finalists, at our fantastic awards evening.”
The full shortlist for the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland, 2025:
Best apprenticeship scheme
- 3173
- Labour Relations Agency
- PwC
- Thales
Best digital and technology initiative in HR/L&D
- HSC Leadership Centre
- Police Service of Northern Ireland
- The Academy at Operate, PwC
Best employee experience programme
Sponsored by the Labour Relations Agency
- Collins Aerospace
- Education Authority NI
- Musgrave
- Northern Ireland Water
Best equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiative
Sponsored by Lewis Silkin
- Belfast Harbour Commissioners
- Collins Aerospace
- First Derivative
- Musgrave
- Northern Ireland Screen
Best flexible working strategy
Sponsored by Worthingtons Solicitors
- ASCERT
- CATAGEN Ltd
Best health and wellbeing initiative
- Almac Group
- Catalyst
- Collins Aerospace
- Department for Communities
- Northern Ireland Hospice
- Simon Community NI
- The Cedar Foundation
Best HR student
Sponsored by Queen’s University Belfast
- Jaye Nangle, The LYCRA Company
- John Kelso-Mason, Ulster University
- Laura McMahon, Simon Community NI
- Rachael Crockard, Sensata Technologies
- Rachel Dorovatas, CITB NI
Best HR/L&D and OD consultant/consultancy
Sponsored by Timely Careers
- LMK Consultancy
- Scott Robinson, Independent consultant
Best HR/L&D/OD team
Sponsored by Danske Bank
- Collins Aerospace
- Education Authority NI
- NIE Networks
- Northern Ireland Hospice
- Northern Ireland Water
- Thales
Best learning and development initiative
Sponsored by Hunter Savage
- Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
- Collins Aerospace
- First Derivative
- Northern Ireland Water
Best resourcing and talent strategy
- Education Authority NI
- Ocorian Services (UK) Ltd
Best people management in an SME
Sponsored by DMS Ireland
- Continu
- Weev
Rising Star of the people profession
Sponsored by AAB People
- Caiti O’Neill, Finnebrogue
- Ella Wyse, ASCERT
- Katherine Young, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
- Laura McMaster, Leprino Foods
The winner of the prestigious Outstanding contribution in the field of people development in Northern Ireland accolade, will be announced at the awards gala.
Ryan Calvert, Head of HR, Sales, Marketing & Legal recruitment for UK and Ireland at MCS Group – headline sponsor of the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland – said: “With such an outstanding line-up of nominees, this event will once again be an unforgettable evening of recognition and inspiration. We are delighted to be part of the awards, and we look forward to celebrating the excellence and achievements of our local HR community.”
The CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland, 2025 will be held on 6 March 2025 at the Titanic Belfast, hosted by Emer Maguire, Northern Ireland’s brightest new comedy star. Tickets to attend the black-tie gala are available to purchase at www.cipdniawards.co.uk