Congratulations to them, and to the fantastic runners-up and shortlisted teams in all seven awards categories.
We are very grateful to our Premium Partners for #UHR24, NTT DATA Business Solutions and Shakespeare Martineau, for their support of the 2024 UHR Awards.
WINNERS
The University of Plymouth has successfully implemented robotic processing automation for processing student workers and ambassadors onto its HR/Payroll system. This has been shown to improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, enhance accuracy, improve data quality and compliance, and have a positive impact and experience for teams. This achievement has enabled the university to see the benefit of expanding this type of automation further across other manual, repetitive processing that happens. Tasks need to be full reviewed with a transformation change in mind to ensure that this type of automation is a successful complement to the HR Service.
RUNNERS-UP
University of Stirling Human Resources and Organisation Development: Agile Working Framework
SHORTLISTED IN THIS CATEGORY
University of Glasgow People and OD Induction Project Team: The University of Glasgow Induction Hub
University of Leeds People and Culture Directorate: Improving Employment Security at Leeds
University of Portsmouth People Services Team: UoP People Hub: the one-stop shop to access HR information
WINNERS
The aim of this project was to reshape the university’s education-focused academic career pathway around four archetypes of educational excellence, and accompanying case studies from academics who have achieved promotion to Reader and Professor. Main project outcomes include a re-focusing of these academics onto the impact and outcomes of their education, pedagogy and citizenship rather than the activities they were doing; a greater confidence in these staff members to apply for promotion; and a tripling of such promotions.
RUNNERS-UP
University of the Arts, London Organisational Development team (with support from HR Systems, HR Operations, EDI and Payroll: UAL’s sector-leading equal parental leave policy
SHORTLISTED IN THIS CATEGORY
Durham University HR Business Partners Team: Staff Concerns (a new approach to handling grievances)
Imperial College London – the Virtual Values Team: Imperial Together – Imperial Values
Staffordshire University HR and Organisational Development: #Staff Make Staffs – Let’s work better together
University of Stirling Human Resources and Organisation Development: Be Heard: Enabling Staff Voice at Stirling
University of Surrey HR and Surrey Senior Leadership Team working group: Surrey’s unique senior leaders’ development programme
WINNERS
The University of Glasgow’s anti-racism campaign was rooted and developed in response to the real and lived experiences of members of the university community. For an institution that prides itself on its inclusivity these experiences were totally unacceptable. Racism does not have a place at the university and the ‘Together Against Racism’ campaign marks a pivotal moment in an ongoing journey towards becoming an anti-racist institution. Through innovative teaching methods, targeted training and organisational development initiatives, the university is actively cultivating an environment where every individual feels valued and respected.
RUNNERS-UP
University of Leeds Organisational Development and Professional Learning, IT Services and Facilities Directorates: Digital Literacy – Learning to Log On
SHORTLISTED IN THIS CATEGORY
Queen Mary University of London Equality Diversity and Inclusion Team: Fostering & Recognising Citizenship – Staff Affinity Networks and Voice at the Heart of Inclusion
University College London B-MEntor Team: B-MEntor@UCL cross-institutional mentoring scheme
WINNERS
Manchester Met recently reached agreement with the recognised trades unions on the implementation of improvements to its reward offering, by renegotiating and reforming the lower end of the grade structure. The solution has positively impacted 600 colleagues, and delivered an increase in pay for all lower-graded colleagues. This is in addition to the national pay awards and a one-off cost-of-living payment. Staff involved include domestic and catering staff, technicians, security, library and administrative staff. It is intended as the first in a series of changes to the overall reward package that will support satisfaction, recruitment and retention, and talent attraction into these roles.
RUNNERS-UP
University of Liverpool Research Technical Professional (RTP) Career Pathway Steering Group: Recognising Talent – Research Technical Professional – A Career Pathway
SHORTLISTED IN THIS CATEGORY
University of East Anglia Resourcing and Compliance Teams: UEA Recruitment Transformation
WINNERS
This winning nomination detailed the implementation of a comprehensive Health and Wellbeing Strategy designed to promote a supportive work environment for staff and students to enable them to thrive. The strategy was co-created and implemented, and offers a huge range of resources and initiatives to address the muti-faceted aspects of working and studying at Durham, addressing the wellbeing of the whole community. A rigorous approach to external evaluation has backed up the findings of recent staff surveys on the approach, and includes a number of awards in addition to this one, including a National Social Value Award in 2023.
RUNNERS-UP
Leeds Beckett University People and Organisational Development: Leeds Beckett Wellbeing Assessment
SHORTLISTED IN THIS CATEGORY
Bangor University Staff Menopause Support
WINNERS
Northumbria has undergone a significant cultural transformation, prioritising engagement and the intentional efforts of leaders and colleagues. Over 100 volunteers collaboratively developed the new Values and Behaviours Framework, addressing cultural strengths, areas for improvement, and future suggestions. The university has witnessed substantial momentum in the adoption of these values, influencing decision-making and everyday practices. For instance performance management processes now encourage reflection on demonstrating values and behaviours, complemented by a new inhouse 360-degree feedback tool. Values and behaviours have been embedded into recruitment, induction, and flexible working policies, as further examples.
RUNNERS-UP
University of Derby People Experience and Culture: Evolving HR Towards People Experience and Culture
SHORTLISTED IN THIS CATEGORY
Keele University Human Resources and Organisational Development: Keele Values and Behaviours Framework
WINNERS
Linsay Gilchrist is an unsung hero of Glasgow’s P&OD community, who has made key contributions in communicating and engaging around the core HR mission and business. The nomination suggests colleagues ‘revere’ her and readily acknowledge her willingness to get stuck in, add value and contribute beyond her brief. Those colleagues lean on Linsay’s wide experience to ensure the continuing good reputation of the HR service and the success of a wide range of projects and campaigns. Her approach is constructive, engaging, focused, and confidence-inspiring. As the team’s communications and engagement lead Linsay’s contribution and commitment have meant so much to so many at Glasgow.
RUNNERS-UP
Staffordshire University – Scott Allcock
SHORTLISTED IN THIS CATEGORY
Anglia Ruskin University – Kate Brimley and Sarah Wood (a joint nomination resulting from the merger of ARU with Writtle University College)
University of the West of Scotland – Dianne Winwood
