The 2018 Wales HR Awards finalists have been announced following a record number of entries.
Launched in 2017 by leading recruitment agency Acorn and commercial law firm Darwin Gray, the Awards will see 350 HR professionals from Wales descend on the Exchange Hotel in Cardiff for a black-tie evening to celebrate the success of more than 50 finalists.
Hosted by the BBC’s Sian Lloyd, the Awards recognise the best HR professionals of all levels, from apprentices to directors, and businesses as a whole across a variety of industries in Wales – showcasing the commitment, hard work and achievements of individuals and teams within the HR profession over the last 12 months.
Winners will be announced at the event on Friday 23 March, which features inspirational keynote speakers from Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award: Partnership Manager for the DofE Award charity, Ian Gwilym, and DofE Young Ambassador, Billie Horsey.
Rounding off the celebrations will be entertainment from local Welsh band Big Mac’s Wholly Soul – with more surprises throughout the evening.
Acorn’s Director of Operations for South Wales Maria Larcombe said: “The Wales HR Awards is a fantastic platform to recognise the best HR talent in Wales. The calibre of entries this year has been exceptional, which made the judging process very difficult. We wish all of our excellent finalists the best of luck and can’t wait to see everyone on the 23rd.”
Darwin Gray’s Head of Employment Law and HR Fflur Jones added: “We have been overwhelmed with entries this year, with first class nominations coming from across Wales from a wide range of sectors. All of our finalists should be very proud of their achievement in being shortlisted – we’re looking forward to crowning our 2018 champions at the ceremony!”
Categories up for grabs include HR Team of the Year, Best Use of the Welsh Language, Independent HR Consultant of the Year, HR Director of the Year, HR Apprentice/Trainee of the Year and awards for Best HR Professional in a variety of sectors.
Brand new to the Awards for 2018 is HR Star of the Year and Employer of the Year, with all winners being selected by a panel of industry professionals.
For more information on the finalists or to book tickets, visit www.waleshrawards.cymru. Limited tickets are available, so please book now to avoid disappointment.
The 2018 finalists are:
| Category | Finalists |
| HR Team of the YearSponsored by Bowen Eldridge
|
Go CompareFirst Source
Circle IT TATA Steel ITEC Training Solutions ACT Training Principality Conduit Wales Audit Office Tai Tarian Limited |
| Best Use of the Welsh Language in HRSponsored by Cymraeg Gwaith
|
HR Department, Bangor University / Prifysgol BangorHR Team, Menter a Busnes
Nia Bennett, Effectus HR |
| Independent HR Consultant of the YearSponsored by Orchard | Kerry Chown, Swim Wales (Colbalt HR)Emma Del Torto, Effective HRM
Alan Kitto, Circle IT (Sound HR Advice) Nia Bennett, Effectus HR |
| HR Director of the YearSponsored by Quantum Advisory | Alex Currie, Go CompareJo Sweeney, Watkin Jones
Sarah King, Gower College Alison Noon-Jones, Leidos Europe Limited Claire Humphries, Retail Merchandising Services |
| HR Apprentice/Trainee/Assistant of the YearSponsored by ACT | Emily Durrant, Go CompareAdrian Sargeant, Go Compare
Nina Williams, WRW Construction Ltd |
| Best HR Professional – Financial/Professional ServicesSponsored by Sweetmans and Partners | Amy Foat, First SourceCath Day, New Directions
Kirsty Bousie, Lextox Andrea Wallbank, Business in Focus Phil Lewis, Red Apple Group |
| Best HR Professional – Public/Third Sector | Nick Carter, Cardiff and Vale CollegeSarah King, Gower College
Jane Evans, Taff Housing Association Vicky Nicholas, Family Housing Association Wales Nouran Al-Jandali, Chwarae Teg Kelly Mordecai, Tai Tarian |
| Best HR Professional – IT/TechnologySponsored by RMS
|
Cerys Davies, VeeqoJennifer Griffiths, Circle IT
Manjit Waters, Smartpipe Solutions Lisa Hand, Sigma Systems Emily Webb, Liberty Marketing |
| Best HR Professional – Construction/Manufacturing/Engineering | Rhianon Fitzmaurice, HWMVictoria Goodwin, West Rock MPS |
| Employer of the YearSponsored by Capital Law | The Number HubRetail Merchandising Services
TATA Steel New Directions ACT Training Spindogs Bar 44 Group Limited Tai Tarian Limited Bluestone Resorts Limited Gower College |
