College shortlisted for seven top HR Awards

Gower College Swansea has been revealed as a finalist in seven categories in the 2019 Wales HR Awards, which recognises and celebrates the achievements of HR professionals across Wales.

Launched in 2017, the Awards ceremony is the flagship event of the Wales HR Network, a leading professional thought sharing and networking group created and run by Cardiff-based commercial law firm Darwin Gray and Acorn, Wales’ leading recruitment specialist.

Gower College Swansea has been shortlisted in the Employer of the Year and HR Team of the Year categories and its Director of HR, Sarah King has been shortlisted for Best HR Initiative, HR Director of the Year and Best HR Professional in the Public / Third Sector.

Additionally, Rachael Leahy has been shortlisted for HR Apprentice/Trainee/Assistant of the Year and HR Manager, Sally Davies has been shortlisted for Best Use of Welsh Language.

Hosted by the BBC’s Sian Lloyd, the Awards recognise the best HR professionals across a variety of industries – showcasing the outstanding individuals and teams as the best in HR, learning, and people management practice across Wales in the last 12 months.

Sarah King, Director of Human Resources at the College is over the moon with the news, she says:

“We are absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted for seven Wales HR Awards this year. This achievement is a fantastic result of all the hard work undertaken in the HR department over the past 12 months.

“As an organisation, we believe the key to our success is our people and the HR department is instrumental in achieving this. We are particularly proud to have been shortlisted for Employer of the Year as this highlights our commitment to our staff.”

Principal of Gower College Swansea, Mark Jones is equally as proud, and comments: “I am delighted that so much of the excellent work and innovative practice that has been delivered by our HR teams right across the College has been recognised in this year’s HR Awards and would add my congratulations – and thanks – for all of the work that has led to this well-deserved recognition.”

Darwin Gray’s Head of Employment Law and HR Fflur Jones said: “We have been overwhelmed with entries this year, with first class nominations coming from across Wales in a wide range of industries. It’s been great to see entries pour in from North and West Wales, and is a real testament to the Awards’ growing influence as the annual flagship event of the Wales HR Network. All of our finalists should be very proud of their achievement in being shortlisted”.

Director of Operations for South Wales at Acorn Recruitment Maria Larcombe added:

“The Wales HR Awards is a fantastic platform to recognise the passion and professionalism of HR talent in Wales. We have been delighted by the number of entries, and the outstanding quality of work showcased has made the judging process very difficult. We wish all of our excellent finalists the best of luck and can’t wait to celebrate everyone’s success on the 22 March.”

Winners will be announced at the black-tie award ceremony on Friday 22 March at the Exchange Hotel in Cardiff.  For more information on the finalists or to book tickets, visit www.waleshrawards.cymru