Northern Ireland’s top employers and HR talent revealed in CIPD Awards shortlist

Over thirty of Northern Ireland’s top employers and HR talent have made the shortlist for the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland, 2025 which recognise organisations with the most outstanding HR talent and teams, shaping better work and working lives in Northern Ireland.

The awards – which take place on 6 March 2025 at The Titanic, Belfast - celebrate the 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.

There are 14 award categories and the companies in Northern Ireland shortlisted for some of these highly regarded awards include: 

•    Best flexible working strategy: ASCERT and CATAGEN Ltd.

•    Best health and wellbeing initiative: Almac Group Ltd, Catalyst, Collins Aerospace, Department for Communities, along with Northern Ireland Hospice, Simon Community NI and The Cedar Foundation.

•    Best digital and technology initiative: HSC Leadership Centre, Police Service of Northern Ireland, The Academy at Operate, PwC.

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.

Peter Cheese, Chief Executive, CIPD - the professional body for HR and people development - said: 

“This shortlist is a very positive reflection of some of the great HR talent in Northern Ireland, and the important impact of their contribution to the success of their organisation and its people, in these critical times of change.

“My congratulations to all of the shortlist, and for their hard work and commitment to improve their working practices and investing in their employees to create a better future of work and working lives in Northern Ireland.”

Lynn Carson, Managing Director at DMS Ireland and a member of the judging panel for the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland added: 

“More employers than ever before are realising the benefits of putting their people first, and this was demonstrated in the exceptional calibre of entries we received this year. 

“As we step into 2025, the way we work and how we work is rapidly changing, but 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 as they really are the backbone of their organisation.

“We look forward to celebrating the positive impact and achievements of all our finalists, at our fantastic awards evening.”

The full shortlist for the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland, 2025:

• Best apprenticeship scheme

3173
Labour Relations Agency
PwC
Thales

• Best digital and technology initiative in HR/L&D 

HSC Leadership Centre
Police Service of Northern Ireland
The Academy at Operate, PwC

• Best employee experience programme (Sponsored by the Labour Relations Agency)

Collins Aerospace
Education Authority NI
Musgrave
Northern Ireland Water

• Best equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiative (Sponsored by Lewis Silkin)

Belfast Harbour Commissioners
First Derivative
Musgrave
Northern Ireland Screen

• Best flexible working strategy (Sponsored by Worthingtons Solicitors)

ASCERT
CATAGEN Ltd

• Best health and wellbeing initiative

Almac Group
Catalyst
Collins Aerospace
Department for Communities
Northern Ireland Hospice
Simon Community NI
The Cedar Foundation

• Best HR student (Sponsored by Queen’s University Belfast)

Jaye Nangle, The LYCRA Company
John Kelso-Mason, Ulster University
Laura McMahon, Simon Community NI
Rachael Crockard, Sensata Technologies
Rachel Dorovatas, CITB NI

• Best HR/L&D and OD consultant/consultancy (Sponsored by Timely Careers)

LMK Consultancy
Scott Robinson, Independent consultant

• Best HR/L&D/OD team (Sponsored by Danske Bank)

Collins Aerospace
Education Authority NI
NIE Networks
Northern Ireland Hospice
Northern Ireland Water
Thales

• Best learning and development initiative (Sponsored by Hunter Savage)

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Collins Aerospace
First Derivative
Northern Ireland Water

• Best resourcing and talent strategy

Education Authority NI
Ocorian Services (UK) Ltd

• Best people management in an SME (Sponsored by DMS Ireland)

Continu
Weev

• Rising Star of the people profession (Sponsored by AAB People)

Caiti O’Neill, Finnebrogue
Ella Wyse, ASCERT
Katherine Young, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Laura McMaster, Leprino Foods

The winner of the prestigious Outstanding contribution in the field of people development in Northern Ireland accolade, will be announced at the awards gala.

Ryan Calvert, Head of HR, Sales, Marketing & Legal recruitment for UK and Ireland at MCS Group – headline sponsor of the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland - said: 

“With such an outstanding line-up of nominees, this event will once again be an unforgettable evening of recognition and inspiration. We are delighted to be part of the awards, and we look forward to celebrating the excellence and achievements of our local HR community.”

The CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland, 2025 will be held on 6 March 2025 at the Titanic Belfast, hosted by Emer Maguire, Northern Ireland’s brightest new comedy star. Tickets to attend the black-tie gala are available to purchase at www.cipdniawards.co.uk