A NORTH Wales organisation been recognised for the work it does to support employees’ health and wellbeing at a national awards ceremony.

Now in its fourth year, the CIPD Wales Awards, which are backed by the UK-wide body for HR and people development, returned with a hybrid virtual and in-person event after being cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Across Wales, there are thousands of people employed in the people profession, with HR and leadership development covering all sectors and industries.

Bangor-based social housing provider, Adra, took home one of the top accolades on the night; best health and wellbeing initiative.

Demonstrating how the organisation devised a holistic, creative, cross organisational and inclusive programme to meet the needs of its employees, judges commended Adra for its active line management and a broad programme which addressed physical, mental and financial wellbeing of staff.

Mair Williams, HR and organisational development manager at Adra, said: “It’s an absolute honour to have won this award for best health and wellbeing initiative.

“To be recognised for supporting and promoting our staff’s welfare, during what has been a very challenging time, means the world.

“The organisation could not continue to grow and flourish without our employees and it remains a focus of ours to ensure they are looked after in the best possible way.

“The competition was strong, so we are immensely proud to have won.”

The winners were selected by a judging panel of top HR and business professionals, including director of HR and corporate services for Welsh Government, Peter Kennedy, UK HR director at Airbus Operations LTD, Nicola Montgomery, and executive director of workforce and OD at the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, Claire Vaughan.

Lesley Richards, head of CIPD Wales, said: “After an extremely challenging couple of years for everyone, we were thrilled to be able to finally host the fourth CIPD Wales Awards ceremony.

“We have witnessed some fantastic successes within the industry during the pandemic and have seen organisations across North Wales introduce and embrace new working models at rapid speed and HR and people management teams have been at the heart of this for the benefit of workforces across the region.

“There has never been a more crucial time to spotlight those individuals and teams that worked tirelessly throughout the global pandemic to ensure HR and people development continued to provide its service.

“The individuals, businesses and organisations celebrated at this year’s awards have shown how they can adapt and capitalise in difficult, unforeseen times and deserve a huge congratulations.”