The Results are in! A huge thanks to all the organisers, the sponsors and businesses that helped us to make it a fantastic evening.

HR Rising Star Award

The Rising Star award aims to recognise up‐and‐coming HR practitioners that are set for a bright future. They are the future leaders and innovators of the profession.

Winner – Laura Gray
Runner-up – Cheree Hart

HR Consultancy of the Year Award

This category recognises the achievements of HR consultants and consultancies. Generalist or specialist consulting work were considered by the judges ranging from broad HR projects to specific work around for example diversity, employee relations or L&D.

Winner – Beckwith Consulting
Runner-up – Imaginarium Learning and Development

Excellence in L&D Award

This award looks for learning and development interventions that have significantly benefited the organisation, particularly if the professionals involved have developed new approaches.

Winner – Pilgrims Hospices
Runner-up – GF HR Consulting

Excellence in Recruitment Award

This award is to recognise and celebrate an individual, team, agency or consultant who exemplifies excellence in all aspects of recruitment from delivering an excellent candidate experience to effective representation of the Company brand.

Winner – Ellie Gawn (HRGO)
Runner-up – Hannah Muskett

Health & Wellbeing Initiative of the Year Award

This award is for organisations who can demonstrate how specific employee health, fitness or wellbeing initiatives are making a positive impact on performance. Judges looked for evidence of the organisation’s commitment to staff welfare and the benefits enjoyed by both the employees and the organisation.

Winner – Kent Police & Essex Police
Runner-up – Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Student of the Year Award

Successful applications demonstrated how their studies have enabled them to initiate and implement business improvements, either within their own organisation or organisations they work for.

Winner – Ian Farrow
Runner-up – Kelly Sanghera

L&D Professional of the Year Award

This award is aimed at L&D professionals working within an organisation who can demonstrate a clear understanding of best practice excellence in the field of L&D. Judges wanted to see evidence of initiatives put forward and implemented by the individual and the impact that it has had on the organisation.

Winner – Joe Cheal
Runner-up – Elaine Bolton

HR Professional of the Year Award

This award is for an individual who can demonstrate outstanding HR contribution.

Winner – Jessica Damms
Runner-up – Maria Nottage Symons

HR Team of the Year Award

This award is aimed at HR teams that can demonstrate genuine strategic status within their organisations and are able to explain the business strategy and the contribution of the team to meeting objectives.

Winner – The People & Culture Team – Integrated Care 24
Runner-up – HR Team – Berry Gardens

Outstanding Contribution Award (Sponsored by Kent CIPD group)

Winner: Sonia Lassnig – Chair of the Kent CIPD Branch

Speaker of the Year Award

This award recognises the excellent speakers we have seen and hosted and will be awarded to the speaker who scored the highest average score.

Winner – Melody Cheal
Runners-up:
Neil Emery – Cavendish Law
Paul McAleavey – Girlings Solicitors
Jackie Brooker – Dakota Blue Consulting
Judith Curran – CWJ