Northern Ireland’s top employers and HR teams revealed in CIPD Awards shortlist
Celebrating outstanding workplace innovation and HR initiatives, with categories spanning flexible working, wellbeing, and digital transformation.

Celebrating outstanding workplace innovation and HR initiatives, with categories spanning flexible working, wellbeing, and digital transformation.
The CIPD has announced the shortlist for its 2025 Northern Ireland Awards, recognising more than 30 employers and HR teams who are leading the way in shaping better work and working lives. The awards celebrate the outstanding 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.
The winners, across 14 categories including flexible working, wellbeing initiatives, and digital transformation, will be announced on 6 March 2025, in Belfast.
Leading winners shortlisted across the categories include:
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.
“This shortlist reflects some of the great HR talent in Northern Ireland, their hard work and commitment to creating a better future of work, and the important contribution they make to the success of their organisations and their people.”
Best apprenticeship scheme
Best digital and technology initiative in HR/L&D
Best employee experience programme (sponsored by Labour Relations Agency):
Best equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiative (sponsored by Lewis Silkin):
Best flexible working strategy (sponsored by Worthingtons Solicitors):
Best health and wellbeing initiative
Best HR student (sponsored by Queen’s University Belfast):
Best HR/L&D and OD consultant/consultancy (sponsored by Timely Careers):
Best HR/L&D/OD team (sponsored by Danske Bank):
Best learning and development initiative (sponsored by Hunter Savage):
Best resourcing and talent strategy
Best people management in an SME (sponsored by DMS Ireland):
Rising Star of the people profession (sponsored by AAB People):
“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.”
“With such an outstanding line-up of nominees, this will be an unforgettable evening of recognition and inspiration. We are delighted to be part of the awards, and look forward to celebrating the excellence and achievements of our local HR community.”
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