16 May 2025 
Emma Walton-Pond, Communications Officer
UHR is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 UHR Awards for Excellence in HR, unveiled at our annual conference on Wednesday 14 May. These awards celebrate the very best in strategic, people-focused practice across UK higher education, highlighting how HR professionals are shaping a stronger, more inclusive, and more sustainable future for the sector.
At a time when the landscape of higher education continues to shift; under pressure from global challenges, funding changes, and increasing demands on staff and institutions - HR teams play a more vital role than ever. From organisational transformation and wellbeing to diversity, reward, and leadership, our people professionals are the beating heart of meaningful, lasting change.
That’s why we’re incredibly proud to announce these Awards each year. Recognising the remarkable efforts of our HR community is not just a celebration - it’s a necessary spotlight on the crucial work that often takes place behind the scenes.
This year, we were blown away by the calibre of entries. The volume, quality, and creativity of submissions were nothing short of phenomenal - a testament to the unwavering dedication, professionalism, and care that HR practitioners bring to their roles. Choosing the winners was no easy task, and we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to every winner, runner-up, and shortlisted nominee.
Organisational Transformation, Effectiveness and Performance:
University of Stirling – Human Resources & Organisation Development
Project: Transforming Academic Promotions: A Strategic Approach to Recognition, Inclusion and Leadership Development
Culture Change and Organisational Development:
King's College London – Organisational Development
Project: From Insights to Action - Leadership, Learning and Development at King's College London
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
Manchester Metropolitan University – EDI Team
Project: How Manchester Metropolitan University is becoming an intentionally inclusive University
Reward, Resourcing and Recruitment:
Coventry University – People Team
Project: From Transactional to Strategic: Coventry's Recruitment Evolution
Wellbeing:
Cardiff Metropolitan University – Organisational Development, People Services
Project: Staff Wellbeing at Cardiff Met
Exceptional HR (Team of the Year):
Nottingham Trent University – HR Team
Project: ‘Empowering People'
HR Star Award:
Anna Jastrzebska, London South Bank University
All of our winners and runners-up will be sharing their projects and insights in a series of exclusive webinars this Autumn. These sessions will offer a unique opportunity to learn from some of the most forward-thinking HR initiatives in the sector. Recordings will be made available for those unable to attend live. Stay tuned for booking details and dates.
In the meantime, you can read more about all of the shortlisted entries here.
