AMH Scoop Workplace Award

Action Mental Health were among the high-profile businesses which scooped the gongs at the Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards in Belfast last night.

A sell out crowd packed into the Ramada Hotel for the gala black-tie dinner, at which Department of Employment & Learning minister Dr Stephen Farry congratulated all the winners for their success in placing a firm emphasis on individuals and their positive contribution to the Northern Ireland workplace.

The prestigious event, hosted by award-winning BBC journalist Karen Patterson, saw 16 main awards being presented alongside a special 5^th anniversary Champion Award. Jewellery tycoon Gerald Ratner provided a fascinating and inspiring riches to rags and back again on how he reinvented himself after his infamous speech in 1992.

And as well as the blue chip companies honoured, the Workplace & Employment Awards also recognised innovative organisations which are seldom thrust into the spotlight, including Openwave Systems and Fusion Heating Ltd.  

“The aims and objectives of these indigenous workplace and employment awards in the business calendar have all been met and exceeded,” said Irish News editor Noel Doran. “The awards have strongly reinforced the message that people are our most important resource in what is challenging times.”

Speaking at the awards Employment and Learning Minister, Dr. Stephen Farry, said: “The aims of the Workplace and Employment Awards go hand in hand with the direction set out in my Department’s Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland. In order to support the local economy and with around 80% of the 2020 workforce already in work, my Department is focused on working with local employers to help them equip their employees with the skills they need – both now and for the future. I am pleased that the Department for Employment and Learning continues its unbroken association with the Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards”.

“And as these awards have proven, there are many examples of excellent workplace and employment best-practice across Northern Ireland, and I believe it is important that we recognise and reward the efforts that our businesses continue to make in this area.”

 The awards were supported by Tughans Solicitors, Royal Mail, PwC, Liberty IT, firmus energy and Investors in People and have been endorsed by key industry bodies the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD).

 Winners 2011

Recruitment Consultant of the Year

Winner: Paula Reid,  Grafton Employment Group

Recruitment Team of the Year

Winner: Grafton Employment Group

Highly Commended: Abacus Professional Recruitment

Recruitment Innovator of the Year

Winner : Grafton Employment Group

Highly Commended : Clarendon Executive

Work Life and Wellbeing Award – Education and Public Sector

Winner : Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Highly Commended: Southern Regional College and South West College

Work Life and Wellbeing Award – Private Sector

Winner : Openwave Systems Ltd

Highly Commended : Moy Park

Workplace Excellence Award – Public and Community

Winner : Action Mental Health

Highly Commended : Translink, Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Workplace Excellence Award – Education Sector

Winner : St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt

Highly Commended : St. Colm’s High School, Twinbrook

Best Place to Work – Small Organisation

Winner : Fusion Heating Ltd

Highly Commended : Napier & Sons Solicitors

Best Place to Work – Medium Organisation

Winner : FPM Accountants LLP

Highly Commended : Housing Rights Service

Best Place to Work – Large Organisation

Winner : Allstate Northern Ireland

Highly Commended : Kilrea Service Station Ltd

Right Place to Work – Small Organisation

Winner : Parker Green International

Highly Commended : George Best Belfast City Airport

Right Place to Work – Large Organisation

Winner : Lagan Construction

Highly Commended : Ashton community Trust, Echo Northern Ireland

Managing Talent Award – Small Organisation

Winner : Parker Green International

Highly Commended : Todd Architects

Managing Talent Award – Large Organisation

Winner : Santander UK

Highly Commended : Ladbrokes Ireland

Innovative Employer Award – Small Organisation

Winner : Manor Architects Ltd

Highly Commended : Young Enterprise NI

Innovative Employer Award – Large Organisation

Winner : Autoline Insurance Group

Highly Commended : FPM Accountants LLP

Champion Award

Winner : Allstate Northern Ireland