One Show star Gyles Brandreth presents prizes for HR excellence
Manufacturing company Alcoa Howmet took home the top prize at the 2013 CIPD People Management Awards (PMAs) last night as celebrated ‘Overall Winner’.
The aircraft and gas turbine components firm collected its award from One Show star Gyles Brandreth, who was hosting the glittering event at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
Alcoa Howmet won for its use of employee engagement and HR strategy to turn the business’ fortunes around during the economic downtown. The judging panel particularly praised HR’s role in researching and presenting the business case for engagement work – which in year one increased engagement from 23 per cent to 49 per cent. Absence levels at the company are now less than 3 per cent, while staff turnover is down from 22 per cent to 5.6 per cent. In addition, there has been a more than 50 per cent improvement in the injury rate over the past two years and a 50 per cent increase in sales revenue.
The judges said: “This was an outstanding example of how HR programmes have made a huge difference to a business operating in a very challenging sector.”
The awards recognised organisational best practice in 17 categories, including four new awards for 2013.
The winners in each category were:
Building HR capability winner: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Change management winner: TNT UK Ltd
Highly Commended: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Consultant of the year and Highly Commended overall: Achieve Breakthrough Ltd
Highly Commended: Real People
Corporate responsibility winner: AmicusHorizon
Developing tomorrow's workforce winner: Visa Europe
Highly Commended: Certeco
Diversity winner: Sue Ryder
Highly Commended: Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employee engagement and overall winner: Alcoa Howmet Limited
Highly Commended: Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Health and well-being winner: Marks & Spencer
Highly Commended: Sovini
HR innovation through technology winner: Cape
Highly Commended: Grass Roots for Santander
Managing HR across boundaries winner: Telefonica UK
Organisational learning winner: ASK Italian
Highly Commended: EDF Energy
Performance and reward winner: Virgin Money
Highly Commended: British Gas
SME HR initiative of the year winner: Fittleworth Medical Ltd
Highly Commended: MJF Cleaning Services
Supplier of the year winner: Aesop
Highly Commended: Go MAD Thinking
Talent attraction and management winner: Fujitsu
Highly Commended: EDF Energy
Michael Kelly Outstanding Student Award– Intermediate and Foundation level: Amy Foster, KM&T
Michael Kelly Outstanding Student Award– Postgraduate level: Katharine Gourley, Crowne Plaza Marlow
Highly Commended: Aidan Alston, Post Office Ltd
A CIPD Special Achievement Award for Cadbury (now known as Mondelez International) was also presented at the PMAs, to recognise nearly two centuries of pioneering exemplary HR practices and an evangelical dedication to the well-being of its employees.
Commenting on the awards, Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, said: “Many congratulations to all the winners at this year’s People Management Awards and a big thank you to our judging panel and sponsors for supporting the Awards this year. Yet again we’ve seen some fantastic examples of best practice across the full spectrum of what we do in HR, from developing employees to changing organisations and corporate culture. The winners are from a wide range of businesses and sectors, and demonstrate what we should all be proud of in our profession in helping to build the workforces and organisations fit for the future.”
For more information visit: cipdpmas.co.uk