Some of the best businesses in the UK to work for have been honoured at the 2018 UK Employee Experience Awards.
Taking place in the heart of London at the Park Plaza hotel overlooking the Thames, the spectacular day-long event saw the winners of 22 categories take to the stage following a morning of detailed presentations before expert judging panels.
Firms, including some of the best-known brands in the UK, outlined strategies and initiatives that lead to high staff satisfaction and retention rates, and explained how this translated into customer satisfaction and even boosted profits.
Attendees also enjoyed a day of networking opportunities and met with representatives from the event’s influential partners. This year, they included employment engagement specialists Benefex; global professional services provider FDM; Cranfield School of Management; Therapy Solutions; and the new venture from awards judge Donna O’Toole, August: The Awards Consultancy, the world’s first online course designed to help firms win awards and significantly raise their profile.
Meanwhile, also partnering the awards was The World Employee Experience Institute, and its founder Ben Whitter, AKA Mr Employee Experience himself, met with finalists throughout the day and also took to the stage during the gala ceremony to share valuable insights.
The event was also sponsored by children’s charity Barnardo’s, which outlined to attendees their amazing work in rescuing victims of child sexual exploitation.
The highlight of the day was the award presentations, which saw wholesalers Bidfood UK take home the coveted Overall Winner title after an outstanding victory in the Team of the Year category.
Other notable success stories includes London’s Jubilee Street Practice, which won Overall Best Employee Engagement, and the Holly Private Hospital in Essex, which won an amazing three category titles: Employee Engagement – Values & Strategy; Reward & Recognition; and Talent Management.
Speaking with Customer Experience Magazine, Ben Whitter said:
“Employee Experience is one of the most important aspects of business in the UK, and this event is the premier celebration of that.
“I have heard of some truly amazing EX initiatives in the run-up to today’s event, and I was lucky enough to tour the HQ of finalists to see for myself exactly why they deserve to be here today competing for these titles. They are all raising the standard for other businesses and I salute each and every one of them.”
Meanwhile, Matt Nathanielsz of Benefex added:
“EX is a massive trend in industries after years of being overlooked and undervalued. It’s great to see so many companies making the experience for their employees so special.”
Judges were also “hugely impressed” with the presentations. Judging Chairperson Hina Sharma, Head of Communications with Pitney Bowes UK, said:
“What was most impressive for me and many of the judges was how the finalists linked their employee engagement initiatives to overall business success. That standard of entries was exceptional. Well done to all who entered.”
Neil Skehel, CEO of hosts Awards International, added:
“It was fantastic to see so many inspiring companies who are leading the way in effective employee experience. Congratulations and thank you to all of our finalists, winners, and judges. See you again next year.”
Employee Engagement – Recognition & Wellbeing – Staysure
Employee Engagement – Growth by Design – Startle
Diversity & Inclusion – Sky
Employee Engagement – Values & Strategy – The Holly Private Hospital
Employee Engagement – Transforming through EX – Jubilee Street Practice
Employee Engagement – EX Design – Manpower Group
Health & Wellbeing – Let’s get healthy
Insight & Feedback – Sparks Grove and FCA
Learning & Development – BT Business and Blue Sky
Reward & Recognition – The Holly Private Hospital
Talent Management – The Holly Private Hospital
Innovation in Recruitment – Marketing VF
Business Transformation & Managing Change – Homeserve
Organisational Development – BT Business and Blue Sky
Thought Leader in Employee Experience – Rebecca Robinson, Sparks Grove
SME – The Holly Private Hospital
Technology for Productivity – LifeWorks
Agency of the Year – Manpower Group
Leader in Employee Experience – Marketing VF
Team of the Year – Bidfood UK
Overall Best Employee Engagement – Jubilee Street Practice
Overall Winner – Bidfood UK
