MORE than 340 HR professionals recently gathered to celebrate excellence in HR at the CIPD Northern Ireland Awards 2017.
Sponsored by recruitment specialists Grafton Recruitment with Nijobfinder as media partner, the awards were presented to teams, individuals and organisations across 10 categories during a celebratory atmosphere at the gala ceremony in Titanic Belfast Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s (NIHE) HR specialists were named team of the year at the event, Northern Ireland’s premier awards for HR professionals.
In the team of the year category, sponsored by Health Shield, the judges said the Housing Executive team are leading by example in their sector and being recognised by peer organisations as best in class.
They noted the NIHE specialists had become the “trusted advisor” for the business and had extended beyond traditional boundaries into true business partnering mode.
The Housing Executive also won the talent management programme of the year accolade, sponsored by Ulster University Business School. It was praised for a series of initiatives which ensured “strong development” of its talent pool.
CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, included a new award this year for the best change management Initiative and it was won by Inspire.
The judges said the winner had delivered a comprehensively structured initiative which involved reintegration and cultural change.
The consultant or consultancy team of the year prize went to Matthew Hamilton from Think People Consulting, who was applauded for identifying clear and measurable outcomes fundamental to achieving successful transformational change for a client.
The health and wellbeing award, sponsored by Inspire Workplaces, was won by Lagan Construction Group. The judges said the company had demonstrated clear links between initiatives to support employee health and wellbeing and business objectives. Peninsula and Graphite sponsored the best employee engagement strategy prize, which was picked up by Macklin Group. The judges said its strategy, rooted in the organisation’s core values, was “thoroughly impressive”.
Ronan Brennan of Inspire was named outstanding HR student of the year. Ronan was recognised for demonstrating skills, examples and experience across all areas of the CIPD profession map.
Mike Mullan of Moy Park picked up the HR director of the year trophy, sponsored by Worthingtons Solicitors. He was recognised for working with the company’s executive team to achieve significant organisational transformation.
The judges also noted his HR leadership has had a huge impact on commercial outcomes and a significant impact on the development of people and the wider community.
HeartSine Technologies was a winner, too. It was rewarded for having the most effective organisational learning and development strategy. The company was praised for a programme which clearly demonstrated how an organisation-wide L&D initiative can reduce skill gaps, optimise resources and enhance internal capability.
CIPD NI’s Executive Committee also presented the Chair’s Special Achievement Award, which recognises an individual, team or organisation who has made a significant contribution to the profession in Northern Ireland.
This special accolade went to Gordon Parkes of NIE Networks, who has worked for the organisation for several years and has undertaken numerous successful HR initiatives.