Judging Process
We operate a robust multi-tiered judging process that sets the annual CIPD HR Awards apart. The recipients of our awards are noted among their peers as having achieved the top tier of excellence within their category field.
The marking and judging process has been carefully designed to ensure that outcomes are fair, transparent and credible, and winners have reached a high standard.
The process is as follows:
1. Initial submissions are judged by a panel of experts who assess the quality of the information provided against the category descriptors and the questions asked.
2. The shortlisted entries are announced as finalists. A category may be divided in two, when both the volume and standard of entries are high.
3. Finalists may attend an online briefing session. Guidance on planning and preparing to meet the judges is also provided.
4. The second stage of the judging puts the finalists through a rigorous judging process where they meet a panel of expert judges for a virtual interview. Judges want to hear the story and impact of the initiative, presentations and videos are optional.
5. The finalist interviews will take place online on 21 and 22 January 2025.
Our judges
Our thanks to Professor Bill Roche, Full Professor of Industrial Relations and Human Resources at UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School who oversees the judging process and has done so for several years. This ensures all judges are provided with clear criteria and guidelines as well as stringent mechanisms to assess and score the entries. There is also a panel of head judges who oversee the final decisions.
The judges’ decisions are final.
Our impressive diverse judges are HR leaders, experts and former winners coming from a variety of roles, sectors and organisations. Judges commit to confidentiality and avoidance of conflicts of interest.
