For many years, the CIPD awards in Wales stood as a symbol of excellence, proudly aligned with a professional body which lent both credibility and recognition to a much-anticipated fixture in the HR calendar.
With the CIPD moving to a different operating model and focus across the UK, the nature of my long-awaited semi (and early!) retirement began to take a different course. Was there a way to fill the gap with the same spirit and impact? Could I create something that built on an established format, but with a less formal vibe? And perhaps most importantly, would our target audience still resonate with something that no longer carried the CIPD name? But if I didn’t try, I’d never know, so HR in Wales was born – rooted in a vision, passion and commitment to nurture, connect and celebrate with our community.
As we go into the final week before the inaugural HR in Wales awards, I’m humbled by the support from friends and colleagues, old and new, and overwhelmed by the response. Partners prepared to associate their long-standing and highly successful businesses with the new brand on the block; organisations prepared to dig-deep in challenging financial times to sponsor a new venture; a panel of experts prepared to add their credentials to this leap of faith; a bumper crop of submissions representing companies of all sizes and sectors wanting to showcase the excellent work their teams are doing, irrespective of the name on the gong; and a sell-out event!
Today, I feel nervous and excited – but it’s only this time next week that we’ll know if the gamble truly paid off and whether I’m really ready to hang up those HR boots after all!