Finalists 2025
Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for the 2025 Yorkshire Excellence in HR Awards. We received an outstanding number of entries and it is great to see so many talented individuals, teams and organisations.
See the categories below to discover the successful nominees who made it through to the final stage of the nomination process:
Rising Talent in HR
Finalists:
Liliana Socha, Oakland
Sally Whitehead, VetPartners
Cathy Shaw, Project 6
Katie Lockwood, Aptamer Group
Rebecca Szewczuk, GXO
Kirsty Carter, Magnet
Josie Belsham, thebigword
Vicky Wood, Northern Powergrid
ESG Impact Award
Finalists:
Sanderson Weatherall
Axiologik
Magnet
Fera Science
Beyondly Global Ltd
HR Team of the Year Award - Private Sector
Finalists:
Better You
Leeds Bradford Airport
thebigword
Synectics plc
Airedale by Modine
Morrisons
UniHomes and Bills Ltd
Pelsis Group
Excellence in Learning & Development
Finalists:
University of Huddersfield
Greencore Group
Cardfactory
Accent Group
Leeds Building Society
Northern Powergrid
SBFM
Border to Coast Pension Partnership
Workplace Wellbeing Award
Finalists:
Yorkshire Garden Centre
University of Leeds
BetterYou
Project 6
Oakland
Bettys and Taylors
Luminate Education Group
YPO
GXO
People Leader of the Year
Finalists:
Guy Dullage, Greencore
Steph Evans Hill, PPG Architectural Coatings
Gemma Taskas, Leeds City Council
Samantha Fearnley, Oakland
Emma Bellwood, Splendid Hospitality Group
Sarah Bright, Axiologik
Chris Whiting, thebigword
Patricia Galloway, National Wealth Fund
Purpose Beyond Profit Award
Finalists:
John Good Group
York St John University
Leeds City Council
Fera Science
York College
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service
Candlelighters Trust
Leeds Bradford Airport
Excellence in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award
Finalists:
Greencore Group
Project 6
Vico Homes
Card Factory
Zenith
Science Museum Group
Morrisons
Leeds Beckett University
Excellence in Talent Management
Finalists:
Brandon Medical Co Ltd
Card Factory
National Wealth Fund
Severfield
Transformational Change Award
Finalists:
Accent Group
Powersheds Ltd
John Good Group
54North Homes
Leeds Beckett University
UniHomes and Bills Limited
Harworth Group
Excellence in Organisational & People Development
Finalists:
Arla Foods
Vico Homes
Accent Group
SBFM
Northern Powergrid
People Excellence in SME's
Finalists:
Nexus Vehicle Rental
EDSB Compliance Solutions Ltd
Swinton Estate
HR Team of the Year - Public & Third Sector
Finalists:
Martin House Children’s Hospice
Carlton Academy Trust
Project 6
York St John University
National Wealth Fund
University of Leeds
Accent Group
Leeds Beckett University