The HR magazine team welcomed a bedazzled guestlist to The Brewery in London for the awards ceremony, a lavish three-course dinner and a lively afterparty that featured a live band followed by a DJ.
Ahead of the ceremony, a judging panel of 12 esteemed HR leaders reviewed award entries from across the public, private and third sector, in 18 categories.
Scores were graded in secret and assessed by an aggregate score.
The judges also selected a handful of highly commended entries to be acknowledged on the night.
Ellen Spencer, from delivery firm The APC, won this year's HR Future Leader of The Year award. She told HR magazine: "I'm really proud, shocked and grateful. I have massive gratitude for The APC too; they've really helped my development."
Sally Webster from The Savoy hotel, won the coveted HR Director of The Year award. Speaking to HR magazine, she said: "I am absolutely ecstatic! I never thought I would win.
"This is a very exciting moment I'll remember for the rest of my life. It's a wonderful acknowledgement of everything my team has achieved.
"We have a great culture, so it's time to shout about it. It's all about the work we do to make The Savoy an even greater hotel to work in.
"We really aspire to offer our colleagues a five-star colleague experience. I've got some very passionate, super talented people who work with me and we want to keep doing even greater work next year."
The HR magazine team would like to extend its thanks to this year’s judging panel, the HR Excellence Awards sponsors: Energy Saving Trust, Health and Wellbeing at Work, HR Minds Summit, and Sage, and all those who attended the event for making it truly special.
Here is the list of winners, in full:
HR Director Of The Year
Sally Webster, talent and culture director, The Savoy Hotel
HR Future Leader Of The Year
Ellen Spencer, senior people partner, The APC
Highly commended: Chloe Johnson, people advisor, Hilton London Bankside
Best Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Arqiva
Best Talent Management Strategy
BCLP
HR Team of the Year (SME)
Argyll Management
HR Team Of The Year (Large Organisation)
Sony Music UK
Highly commended: Bupa Provisions
HR Consultancy of the Year
Realise HR
Best Early Careers Strategy
ANS Group
Highly commended: The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
Best Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
Aldi Stores
Highly commended: Aviva
Best Transformation Strategy
Vodafone
Highly commended: Dishoom
Highly commended: Equiniti
Best ESG Strategy
UK Power Networks
Highly commended: SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK
Best Reward and Recognition Strategy
London Gatwick
Highly commended: Moto Hospitality
Highly commended: SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK
Best HR Technology Strategy
Aviva
Best Recruitment and Workforce Planning Strategy
Dishoom
Highly commended: LloydsPharmacy Clinical Homecare in partnership with AudienceLink
Best Internal Communications Strategy
Arriva UK Bus
Best People-Focused CEO Of The Year
David Richardson, Just Group
Best Employee Engagement Strategy
Busy Bee Nurseries
Highly commended: HSBC Innovation Banking
Best Learning and Development Strategy
Equiniti
