SMEs in line for prize at CIPD awards

SMEs that can show how human resources and development (HR&D) insight has benefitted their company could be up for winning a prize in the CIPD North East of England HR&D Awards 2016.

The annual awards, which are now in their tenth year, will take place on 16th June 2016 at the Newcastle Marriot Hotel.

Impact

This year’s event will consist of eight categories, each of which recognises the impact that HR&D has on businesses and employees.

In addition to The HR&D Team of the Year category, the awards will also be searching for a winner in areas such as health and wellness innovation, people development, organisational development, employee engagement, and employability and diversity.

SMEs that are up for the HR&D award do not need to have a full-time HR&D presence, and businesses that use consultancy HR&D services can also be considered for the competition.

Recognition

Last year, digital agency TH_NK picked up the award after being recognised for its use of HR. They brought the company together as a leadership team after it was forced to restructure when it ended its contract with Blackberry.

Discussing the award, CIPD North East of England Co-Vice Chair Sarah Carnegie said: “This award will recognise those SME organisations in the region who are delivering positive HR&D, often with very limited resources supporting their people management activities.”

She added that many people who are responsible for HR&D in SMEs juggle several roles, and that it is “important” to show where they have made a “strategic impact” and delivered real improvements for their business.