Winners of a prestigious annual event showcasing the best HR professionals and practices across the north-east have hailed the benefits of getting involved with the cHeRries Awards.
Last year two firms landed the prestigious Tremendous Training and Development Award, which recognises teams or individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to designing and delivering cohesive and innovative training and development programmes.
Iconic north-east food company, Baxters, and Subsea 7 were each recognised in the category, sponsored by Falck Safety Services
Clyde Marwick, group HR director at Baxters, comments: “A core part of our HR strategy is about developing our talent for the future to support our exciting period of growth.
“Investment in training and development is at the heart of this and is vital for any business to attract and retain the best staff.
“Winning an award for our commitment to supporting our employees in developing their skills and learning recognises the value of these initiatives.
“HR is such an important part of any business and we’d encourage our fellow companies in the north east to get involved in the cHeRries to showcase good people practice and benchmark outstanding performance.”
Colin Leyden, managing director of Falck Safety Services UK, said: “At Falck ‘People helping people’ is how we describe our business.
“This mantra runs through every element of our company, from the training programmes we deliver to our clients, to how we train and develop our own staff. The latter is very important to us and we encourage our employees to live and breathe the Falck values by implementing and taking part in various HR initiatives.
“This year, we have chosen to sponsor the Tremendous Training & Development category, as we want to extend our support to other firms in the north-east who, like us, ensure their workforce is developed each year.
“We wish applicants and finalists all the very best and look forward to attending the awards evening.”
Up and coming talent is also recognised with the Blossoming Award. Last year’s winner Marie Linderoth of Sodexo, won a prize of full funding for their Human Resource Management MSC from category sponsor, Aberdeen Business School at the Robert Gordon University (RGU).
Sodexo, world leader in quality of life services, was delighted when HR operations support, Ms Linderoth, won the 2015 cHeRries ‘Blossoming Award’.
A spokeswoman for Sodexo said: “It recognised her genuine commitment to developing a career within Human Resource Management, as well as her understanding of the contribution that HR professionals bring to the organisation.
“Marie was thrilled to win, especially because it has strengthened her ability to support the Sodexo colleagues who believed in her and helped her grow.
“Her caring and proficient work ethic is a real asset to the organisation.”
Professor Rita Marcella, Dean of Faculty at RGU’s Aberdeen Business School, said: “Aberdeen Business School continues to support the cHeRries Awards through the Blossoming Award, as the award itself recognises the importance of early career HR practitioners as well as the value of education programmes such as the MSc in Human Resources Management.”
Organisers are also seeking nomination for the night’s biggest price – the Cherry on Top. To nominate someone you feel is deserving of the Top Cherry Award, which recognises outstanding contribution to the field nominated by peers, then please contact Kerry Medford on 01382 426212 or email at kmedford@dcthomson.co.uk
Nominations for the cHeRries Awards, run by the Press and Journal’s owner, DC Thomson, are now open.
Dundee-based DC Thomson is delighted to present the cHeRries, which recognise excellence in the fields of human resources, training and recruitment in the region.
Now entering its ninth year, the cHeRies features nine categories and attracts an audience of more than 500.
This year’s ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 2, at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre and will provide a fantastic platform for showcasing the best HR professionals and practices across the region.
The entries open 11th January, and close 4th March 2016, and all entry forms and category criteria will be available on the website. The entry forms have to be sent to Kerry Medford, Event Manager – kmedford@dcthomson.co.uk or call 01382 426212
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online or by telephone 01382 426212.