HR's Most Influential list of those who have had the greatest impact on HR thinking and practice turns five this year and, like other great brands celebrating their fifth birthday in 2010 (YouTube, Nintendo DS and Sony PSP to name a few), we are not standing still.
This year HR magazine has a new partner, Ashridge Business School, which will provide a robust analysis of the most influential practitioners and thinkers, building on the methodology established in previous years.
HR Most Influential 2010, sponsored by human resource management and payroll services provider Ceridian, will be the most in-depth investigation of its kind in the industry, creating a definitive list of the top influencers in the sector as well as developing a deeper understanding of what defines influence in HR.
This year's research comprises two strands, which will be carried out in parallel over the next few months. First, our candidate list, which features all individuals from previous years who are still active in the sector as well as some new names, will be circulated to 3,000 HR directors and specialists in the UK and abroad who will rank their top five practitioners and their top five thinkers in relation to their perceived level of influence within the HR community and beyond. They will also be able to add other HR individuals' names that do not appear in the list.
Second, we are adding more qualitative elements to the study this year. We will be interviewing three specific target groups - CEOs, City analysts and media commentators - about the influence and contribution of HR to organisations and business. Vicki Culpin, director of research at Ashridge, who is leading the project for HR, says: "We're delighted to be partnering with HR magazine on this important ranking. It will be a fascinating examination of what the HR community values, how it sees itself and also how it is viewed more widely, particularly in light of the tough times organisations have gone through."
Doug Sawers, managing director of Ceridian UK, adds: "After one of the most challenging economic periods in recent history, it is more important than ever to recognise and celebrate the forward-thinking industry experts and academics that have guided HR practitioners through the onslaught of challenges.
"While many companies faced a freeze on expenditure and the demand for increased efficiency, HR teams continued to deliver innovative ways of ensuring people policies remained at the very heart of business. Instrumental in this success were the individuals that demonstrated both leadership and insight in the face of adversity, and it is with great pleasure that Ceridian sponsors HR magazine's HR's Most Influential 2010. It is an incredibly important means of recognising the key practitioners and thinkers who have made a tangible impact on the success of UK business."
The list will be unveiled on 13 September at Claridge's and will appear in the October issue of HR magazine. To find out more about the methodology, visit out website, www.hrmagazine.co.uk, where a dedicated microsite will be launched later this month.
