2021 Shortlist

Outstanding HR student of the year
Sponsored by Kennedys

  • Tracy Duggan, XLNI
  • Paula O’Connell, Sensata Technologies
  • Rebecca Shields, Queen’s University Belfast
  • Naomi Smyth, Ulster University

Best change management initiative
Sponsored by Queen’s University Belfast Management School

  • Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
  • Bank of Ireland
  • Education Authority Northern Ireland
  • Southern Regional College

Best remote and flexible working initiative
Sponsored by Hunter Savage

  • Allstate Northern Ireland
  • Bank of Ireland
  • Food Standards Agency
  • Inspire
  • PwC Operate
  • South Eastern Regional College

Best HR/L&D team of the year
Sponsored by Danske Bank

  • Allstate Northern Ireland
  • Bank of Ireland
  • Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
  • Devenish
  • Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service
  • Tobermore

Embedding a culture of workplace wellbeing
Sponsored by Inspire

  • Allstate Northern Ireland
  • Bank of Ireland
  • Education Authority Northern Ireland
  • Food Standards Agency
  • PwC Operate

Best L&D initiative
Sponsored by Grant Thornton

  • Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
  • Inspire
  • Department of Public Expenditure & Reform and Think People Consulting
  • CDE Global

Best inclusion and diversity initiative
Sponsored by Tughans

  • Bank of Ireland
  • Education Authority Northern Ireland – Employee menopause policy and support initiative
  • Education Authority Northern Ireland – Introduction of the disability employment support service
  • Police Service of Northern Ireland

External consultancy

  • HealthSectorTalent®
  • Jill Little Consultancy
  • Think People Consulting

Excellence in people management practice in SMEs
Sponsored by TLT

  • Clarke
  • Cleaver Fulton Rankin
  • Labour Relations Agency

Excellence in HR leadership
Sponsored by Worthingtons Solicitors

This award will be announced at the event

Outstanding contribution in the field of people development in Northern Ireland
Sponsored by CIPD NI and announced at the awards ceremony

Interviews for shortlisted candidates and awards event

Shortlisted individuals and organisations will be invited to an interview with the judging panel on Wednesday 7 September – the CIPD NI team will be in touch to arrange a suitable time for interviews.

Details of this year’s awards ceremony, which will take place in Belfast on Thursday 7 October, are currently being finalised in line with ongoing restrictions and government advice, and will open for bookings mid-August.