Digital publication HRZone announced the winners of 2024 Culture Pioneer Awards. The awards recognize exceptional contributions to workplace cultures.
The awards, now in their fifth-year , highlight organisations and leaders that drive positive cultural changes, demonstrating innovation and commitment to various aspects of workplace wellness. The Culture Pioneers Leadership Forum, which featured Disrupt London in London on 13 November, announced the winners.
The awards this year included five categories, including Wellbeing, Inclusion Learning, Brand and the newly-introduced Leadership category. The 2024 award winners were noted by the judges for their creativity, dedication and tangible impact on organizational culture. They also fostered environments that allowed employees to thrive.
Recognizing Excellence in All Categories
Wellbeing Award
Winner: Pharmacist Support
Lawline, Highly Commended
Pharmacist support was praised for its holistic and personalised approach to employee well-being. Evelina Dzimanaviciute CEO of Elite Mind Academy was the Culture Pioneers Judge. She highlighted that senior leaders were demonstrating supportive behaviours and listening to their employees’ needs.
Inclusion Award
Winner: Cadent Gas Ltd
Ingeus UK Highly Commended
Cadent Gas Ltd. was praised for creating a safe environment for its employees to tell their personal stories and addressing sensitive topics within the gas industry. Diane Lightfoot (CEO of Business Disability Forum, Culture Pioneers judge) described the initiative and its impact as “groundbreaking”.
Learning Award
Winner: Progeny
Highly Commended: Nine Feet tall
Progeny’s innovative learning and development approach stood out. Judges praised the organisation’s resourcefulness, and its focus on the whole learning journey. Lior Locher is a Culture Pioneers Judge and a senior learning consultant who has won awards. She highlighted Progeny’s constant effort to adapt and refine its approach.
Celebrate Brand and Leadership Innovation
Brand Award
Winner: Wurzak Hotel Group
Highly Commended The People Experience Hub
The innovative and in-depth efforts of the Wurzak Hotel Group to make company culture come alive impressed judges. Debra Corey of DebCo HR highlighted the group’s commitment to going beyond surface-level efforts and its impactful results.
Leadership Award
Winner: Yasmine Alani, Media Zoo
Cheryl Allen Atos Highly Commended
Yasmine Alani was recognized for her transformational leadership at Media Zoo. Blaire Palmer, CEO and Culture Pioneers Judge of That People Thing, praised Alani for her honest and patient approach. Palmer noted that she was successful in changing “hearts” and “minds” within a difficult environment.
Look Ahead at the 2025 Awards
Entries will open in February 2025 for the Culture Pioneer Awards. Subscribe to the Cultural Pioneers email list to receive updates from organisations and leaders who want to promote their cultural initiatives.
