From workforce shortages to wellbeing demands, the CIPD People Management Awards 2025 celebrated the teams delivering the greatest impact for employees and organisations worldwide.
The CIPD has announced the winners of the People Management Awards 2025, celebrating the positive impact that people professionals have on business productivity and organisational success. The awards recognise and share the achievements of people teams around the world, including the UK, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, US, UAE, Turkey and the Republic of Korea.
Top winners on the night included Bright Horizons, a UK-based early years care provider, and Havas, a global communications company.
Bright Horizons took home the award for the private sector HR/L&D & OD Team of the Year and was highly commended in the Best Apprenticeship Scheme and Best Resourcing Initiative categories.
Havas took the award for Best Health and Wellbeing Initiative (private sector) and was highly commended in the HR/L&D & OD Team of the Year category.
Our diverse panel of more than 90 judges from across the people profession scrutinised hundreds of entries across 24 categories, from resourcing and talent management to people analytics. The shortlisted entries highlighted work to support organisational success and address current issues including recruitment, retention and the use of technology.
In response to sector-wide staffing challenges, Bright Horizons, the private sector Team of the Year winner, launched a bold, data-driven strategy to attract, develop and retain talent. At its core is a pathway of development and programmes to support colleagues across 272 settings from entry-level through to leadership.
Bright Horizons said in its entry: “Our talent development programmes have driven measurable outcomes, including a 16% increase in high-performing nursery managers and a 46% rise in qualified professionals. The quality of care within our nurseries has also seen substantial improvements.”
The judges said that Bright Horizons had a data-led approach to the development of people and programmes, and demonstrable impacts on retention, recruitment, leadership and OFSTED ratings.
Bright Horizons was also highly commended in the Best Apprenticeship Scheme and Best Resourcing Initiative categories.
“Bright Horizons has an impressive focus on people and investing in their futures, with a clear enthusiasm and passion for their work in a challenging environment.”
The winning Health and Wellbeing Initiative from Havas – Havas Equalise – is built around supporting mental health, financial wellbeing, physical health and social connection. It balances prevention with reactive support through workshops, coaching and holistic treatments.
In 2024, over 80% of employees engaged with Equalise. The most recent engagement survey showed work-life balance and wellbeing scores increased by over 10% compared to 2023.
Its entry said: “At a time when comprehensive wellbeing support is becoming the norm, Equalise continues to stand out for its depth, integration and human-first approach – setting a benchmark, not just meeting one. We believe the future of work will be shaped by organisations that care – and we’re proud to be leading with the human at heart.”
Havas, which operates in more than 100 countries, was also highly commended in the HR/L&D & OD Team of the Year (private sector) category. Our judges praised its innovative approach to managing transformation with a lean team delivering impressive impact in a challenging environment.
“It was particularly refreshing to see Havas’ clear understanding of the systemic, structural elements of wellbeing as well as the importance of targeted interventions and benefits.”
By championing global standards for excellence and sharing successes, the CIPD supports the profession in making decisions that are evidence-based, principles-led and deliver good outcomes for people and business.
Now in their 30th year, the PMAs are an excellent opportunity for individuals, teams and consultants to connect with their peers and gain new insights into practical solutions for their current challenges.
Every year our judges find the decision-making process invaluable. They meet with shortlisted teams to question them on their work and gain an in-depth understanding of what makes them a cut above the rest. This personal contact means that lasting connections are made.
Uniquely, we only award one winner in each category with no runners up – just a rare recognition of highly commended in exceptional cases.
Through this process, we harness experience and insights from leaders in the people profession, to help shape the future of work.
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