The winners of the 2026 HR in Wales Awards have been announced, celebrating the best in human resources and people development across the country. Six organisations and four individuals were recognised at the ceremony, held at the Marriott Hotel in Cardiff and hosted by former Welsh rugby international Alex Cuthbert.
Award Winners
The awards, launched in 2025 by Lesley Richards, independent HR consultant and former head of the CIPD in Wales, aim to highlight the crucial role of the people profession in the workplace. This year saw a record number of entries from organisations across Wales.
Organisation Winners
- Employee Engagement: Cartrefi Cymru Cooperative
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Cardiff Community Housing Association
- Learning and Development: Siderise
- Talent Management: St John Ambulance Cymru
- Transformation and Change: S4C
- Wellbeing: Creditsafe Business Solutions
Individual Winners
- Rising Star of the Profession: Sadie Govier, Cardiff Airport
- Excellence in HR Leadership: Nadine Beaton, S4C
- Individual Impact: Rosie Sweetman, Sweetmans and Partners
- Outstanding Contribution to the People Profession: Anne Middleton, Atradius
Lesley Richards said: “We’re proud to have been able to celebrate the remarkable contributions of leading industry talent for a second year running. It was fantastic to see so many strong entries for this year’s HR in Wales Awards, the winners really are a testament to all the transformative work being done in Wales, despite ongoing economic uncertainty and budget pressures.”
Anne Middleton, HR manager at Atradius, was recognised for her 35-year career, including playing a pivotal role in establishing the Welsh financial services graduate programme and leading HR for a global workforce of nearly 4,000 people. Nadine Beaton of S4C commented: “The win for the transformation and change category is a reflection of the hard work of the whole organisation and its commitment to cultural change. We couldn’t be prouder.”
