Northern Ireland’s best workplaces and HR talent revealed in CIPD Awards shortlist

Over 50 of Northern Ireland's leading employers and HR professionals have been shortlisted for the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland 2026, in recognition of their impact in shaping better workplaces and investing in their people to enhance productivity.

Taking place on 1 October 2026 at Titanic Belfast, the awards celebrate the achievements of the HR professionals and people teams behind impactful workplace initiatives designed to improve working practices, develop talent, and drive organisational performance.

There are 11 award categories including a People Team of the Year accolade which recognises outstanding people teams  who have played a critical role in improving working practices for staff, as well as driving business performance. Those shortlisted for this award are: Northern Ireland Water, Police Service of Northern Ireland, Dowds Group, Fibrus Ltd, Irwin M&E and EOS IT Solutions.

Other organisations across Northern Ireland recognised for putting their people first and shortlisted for the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland Awards include Northern Ireland Hospice, Ulster University, PwC and Translink.

Susan Hayman, engagement manager, CIPD in Northern Ireland said:

"The ever-changing business and political landscape, alongside the rapid rise of AI, means HR has never been more central to helping organisations respond to evolving workforce needs. This shortlist reflects the vital role HR and people teams play in supporting employees, driving organisational success, and shaping better workplaces.

"Congratulations to all those shortlisted. Your hard work, dedication to improving workplace practices, and investment in your people is helping to create more resilient, productive organisations, and a stronger future of work for organisations and people across Northern Ireland.”

The full shortlist for the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland, 2026:

• Best in AI, technology and workforce transformation
Danske Bank
Translink
PwC Operate
Lewis Silkin LLP

• Best careers/apprenticeship programme
Police Service of Northern Ireland
Danske Bank
Workplus
Fibrus Ltd
Short Brothers, a Boeing Company
Prestige Insurance Holdings Ltd

• Best consultancy or strategic partnership 
EHR Consulting
Talent Dog
Mercer (a Marsh Business)
Happy Raspberry

• Best employee experience/ employee voice programme
Worldwide Chain Stores
Education Authority NI
Danske Bank     

• Best equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiative                        
AMS
Workplus
Danske Bank
Electoral Commission
Henderson Group
SONI Ltd

• Best health and wellbeing initiative
Community Foundation Northern Ireland 
Translink
Education Authority NI
Police Service of Northern Ireland
SONI Ltd
Portview

• Best HR student 
Georgina Shephard, Northern Ireland Hospice 
Gemma Lowry, Northern Ireland Hospice
Lee Prentice, Danske Bank

• Best learning and development initiative 
Education Authority NI
Praxis Care
Thales
Northern Ireland Civil Service HR
Northern Ireland Water
Police Service of Northern Ireland

• People Team of the Year
Northern Ireland Water 
Police Service of Northern Ireland
Dowds Group
Fibrus Ltd
Irwin M&E
EOS IT Solutions

• Rising Star of the people profession 
Ryan Martin, PwC Operate 
Sorcha Conlon, PwC
Georgina Shephard, Northern Ireland Hospice
Gayle Beckett, CITB NI
Dr Naomi Smyth-Patterson, Ulster University
Tamara Brolly, PwC

The winner of the highly acclaimed Outstanding contribution in the field of people development in Northern Ireland accolade, will be announced at the black-tie awards ceremony on 1 October 2026 at the Titanic Belfast.

Ryan Calvert, divisional head of HR, sales & marketing recruitment at MCS Group - headline sponsor of the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland – added: 

"An organisation's people are its most important asset, and this outstanding shortlist is testament to the exceptional HR and people professionals who have delivered impactful initiatives that meet the changing needs of their workforce and organisation.

"Their leadership, innovation and expertise is helping to shape high-performing, people-focused workplaces, and they should be incredibly proud of the positive impact they make."

Tickets to attend the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland, 2026, hosted by Mark Simpson, BBC News NI’s community correspondent - and supported by media partner nijobfinder.co.uk - are available to purchase at www.cipdniawards.co.uk.