North East HR&D Awards 2026 – Meet the finalists!

We’re now just a month away from this year’s North East HR&D Awards – and Bdaily can today exclusively reveal the finalists for the showpiece event!

More than 30 companies and organisations from a variety of industries will vie for honours across 12 categories at the June 11 ceremony.

Returning for its 18th year, the event will once again shine a spotlight on the stars of the region’s HR and learning and development community.

And following 2025’s out-of-this-world space-themed spectacle – which drew record attendance – the stage is set for another unforgettable evening.

Scores of nominations for the 2026 ceremony, which will be held at The Fed, in Gateshead, were carefully reviewed by North East Work and Talent (NEWT) advisory board members alongside Steven Hugill, editor-in-chief at event partner NET, with judges praising numerous examples of outstanding practice.

Elouise Leonard-Cross and Sarah Carnegie, joint chairs of NEWT, which reflects a cross-section of expertise and experience in people management from organisations across the region, say: “We’re delighted to reveal this year’s finalists.

“The standard of entries was incredibly high, and we were really pleased to see a wider range of businesses and organisations from across the region showcasing their brilliant work.

“The North East is full of opportunity, and these awards reflect the outstanding efforts of those making a difference to people’s working lives.

“Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations, and a big thank you to our brilliant category and wider event partners.”

Award category partners include Believe Housing, Castle Peak Group, Esh Group, Hill Dickinson, Jackson Hogg, Motivait, Northumbrian Water Group, NPH Group, Recovery4Life and TDR Training.

Motivait is also the event’s digital engagement partner, with Community Foundation North East the evening’s programme partner. 

The finalists are:

Excellence in People & Technology, in partnership with Motivait

NCFE

Newcastle International Airport

Ringtons

Excellence in SME People Practices, in partnership with Recovery4Life

Bazaar Group

Clifford James

One Utility Bill

Excellence through Positive Impact, in partnership with Castle Peak Group

Darlington Building Society

Northumbria University

Pearson Engineering

Excellence in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, in partnership with Northumbrian Water Group

Castle Peak Group

Darlington Building Society

South Tyneside Council

Excellence in Health & Wellbeing, in partnership with NPH Group

CF Fertilisers UK Ltd

J Barbour & Sons Ltd

Visualsoft Ltd

Excellence in Reward & Benefits

Darlington Building Society

Husqvarna UK Ltd

Percy Hedley Foundation

Excellence in Talent Attraction & Employer Brand, in partnership with Jackson Hogg

The Inn Collection Group

Northumbrian Water Group

Commercial Maintenance Services UK Ltd

Excellence in Leadership Development, in partnership with Hill Dickinson

Home Group

Karbon Homes

Senstronics Ltd

Excellence in Supporting Armed Forces Talent, in partnership with Esh Group

Dräger

Kier Construction

Northumbrian Water Group

Excellence in Organisational & People Development, in partnership with Believe Housing

The Inn Collection Group

One Utility Bill

Stadler Rail Service UK

Excellence in Apprenticeships, in partnership with TDR Training

Esh Group

KAEFER UK&I

Pearson Engineering

HR&D Team of the Year

Aspire Technology Solutions

ConocoPhillips

Newcastle International Airport

For further information about the 2026 North East HR&D Awards, contact Lesley Hampson via lesley@netimesmagazine.co.uk or Dawn Owens via dawn@netimesmagazine.co.uk

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