The glitterati of the HR sector gathered at the Hilton on Park Lane on 25 June, to celebrate HR magazine's 17th annual HR Excellence Awards, paying tribute to the organisations, people and teams that have taken HR strategy forward in their own businesses - and the wider economy - over the last 12 months.
During the awards presentation, hosted by award-winning commedienne Andi Osho, housing association AmicusHorizon took home six gongs including Most People Focused CEO (public and voluntary sector) for its CEO Steve Walker, Best HR Team; Public and not-for-profit sector, Outstanding Employer Engagement Strategy, Most Effective Use of Internal Communications, Best Use of CSR in HR and the coveted HR Gold Award, celebrating the best of the best.
Darren Hockaday, HR director of London Overground Rail Operations Ltd, was voted HR director of the year, not least for his deep understanding of economic issues, his decisive approach to building long-term relationships with unions and his systematic and effective approach to leadership behaviour.
Hastings Direct took two awards for the Best HR Team Private Sector and Best Talent Management Strategy.
And, for the second time running, Ian Powell, chairman and senior partner at PwC was presented with the award for Most People Centric CEO: Private Sector for his unwavering commitment to his employees leading to a 90.3% retention rate of high performers at the company.
Siân Harrington, publisher and editor of HR magazine, said: "Entrepreneurs, visionaries, great leaders and managers, people who challenge and dare - these are the winners in my view. And it is these people and organisations that inspire us, that we want to work for and that help us learn, develop and fulfil our own potential. So congratulations to all the winners and all the organisations, HR directors and HR departments that were finalists in the HR Excellence Awards. They have proved, once again, how great people strategy and practice are vital in helping organisations prosper."
HR Excellence Award Winners 2012
HR Excellence Gold Award, AmicusHorizon
HR Director of the Year, Darren Hockaday, London Overground Rail Operations Ltd
Rising Star, Sam Owens, Merlin Entertainments Group
Most People-Focused CEO: Private Sector, Ian Powell, PwC
Most People-Focused CEO: Public/Voluntary Sector, Steve Walker, AmicusHorizon
Best HR Team: Private Sector, Hastings Direct
Best HR Team: Public Sector, Tube Lines
Best HR Team: Not-for-Profit/Third Sector, AmicusHorizon
Best Talent Management Strategy, Hastings Direct
Most Effective Benefits Strategy, University of Lincoln
Outstanding Employee Engagement Strategy, AmicusHorizon
Best Learning and Development Strategy, Lloyds Banking Group
Most Effective Recruitment and Retention, Network Rail
Most Successful Change Management Programme, Thames Water
Most Effective Use of Internal Communications, AmicusHorizon
Health and Wellbeing Award, American Express
Most Innovative Use of Technology, Deutsche Bank
Best Workplace Diversity Strategy, Irwin Mitchell
Best Use of CSR in HR, AmicusHorizon
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