How to enter 2024’s Culture Pioneer Awards
Cultivating an exceptional culture is critical to creating strong organisations and demonstrating successful leadership. Why not be recognised for your efforts by entering our 2024 Culture Pioneer Awards?
Our 2024 categories
Leadership
The Culture Pioneer Leadership Award is for individuals in senior positions who are spearheading a thriving workplace culture.
We’re seeking entries from leaders both within the people/HR/L&D profession and the wider business function. If you are a C-Suite member, director or head of the department who is passionate about your organisation’s culture – and making notable efforts to nurture it – then we invite you to enter.
This category offers entrants the opportunity to illustrate their ability as a leader to nurture an exceptional culture where people love to work and thrive, even through challenging times.
Entrants will be asked to select one of the following subcategories:
People professional: Leadership Award
Business professional: Leadership Award
Wellbeing
The Culture Pioneer Wellbeing Award is for organisations that are consistently evolving their employee wellbeing strategy and taking a holistic approach to support the mental, emotional, financial and social needs of their whole workforce.
We’re looking for people leaders and teams who are working towards creating an environment that cultivates energy, psychological safety, resilience and adaptability.
This category gives entrants the opportunity to demonstrate how they are taking the responsibility of wellbeing seriously to create sustainable improvements for all employees, no matter their circumstances.
Entrants will be asked to select one of the following subcategories based on organisation size:
Small organisations: 1-99 employees
Medium-Large organisations: 100+ employees
Sponsored by:
Brand
The Culture Pioneer Brand Award is for organisations that are committed to nurturing a working culture that represents their brand identity.
We’re seeking applications from businesses that are on a mission to cultivate a culture that is authentic to (and supportive of) its brand. Organisations are welcome to focus on any brand type – e.g. employer, consumer or corporate – or a combination of brand types in their entry.
This category gives entrants the opportunity to showcase the organisation’s approach to creating (or sustaining) a great place to work – where company values are lived and breathed, and a strong sense of purpose is shared.
Entrants will be asked to select one of the following subcategories based on organisation size:
Small organisations:
1-99 employees
Medium-Large organisations:
100+ employees
Learning
The Culture Pioneer Learning Award is for businesses that are cultivating a culture that proactively supports the way that their organisation learns, adapts and grows.
We’re seeking applications from leaders, teams and businesses that can demonstrate not only how they build business-critical skills across the organisation, but also how they harness the ongoing process of learning.
This category gives entrants the opportunity to showcase their commitment to learning at an individual, team and organisational level, in a climate where skills development is a key component to employee retention.
Entrants will be asked to select one of the following subcategories based on organisation size:
Small organisations:
1-99 employees
Medium-Large organisations:
100+ employees
Inclusion
The Culture Pioneer Inclusion Award is for organisations that are creating meaningful, sustainable improvements in workplace inclusion and belonging.
We’re looking for people leaders and teams who are working to create a psychologically safe environment in which every employee feels respected and valued as their authentic self within the business.
This category offers entrants the opportunity to illustrate their passion and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion regarding all employees within the organisation – ensuring that no one gets left behind.
Entrants will be asked to select one of the following subcategories based on organisation size:
Small organisations:
1-99 employees
Medium-Large organisations:
100+ employees
The entry process
We are now welcoming organisations, people professionals and business leaders to enter the Culture Pioneer Awards.
The awards are free to enter and our application process is designed to showcase the culture journey you have been on – not simply an introduction of new practises.
For more details on how to craft a successful entry, download our useful guide.
What we are looking for from entrants
Our esteemed judges have shared tips to help you craft a compelling submission. Watch these videos for expert insights on showcasing your achievements, telling your story effectively, and demonstrating the impact of your initiatives. Follow these tips to increase your chances of being recognised as a Culture Pioneer.
Showcase your culture successes across four criteria
1. The why
The objectives, vision and challenges for your organisation’s culture.
2. The what
Your actions to achieve this vision and overcome challenges, paying particular attention to actions that are unique and creative.
3. The impact on people
Evidence of how your culture-crafting actions have positively impacted employees across the organisation.
4. The impact on the organisation
Evidence of how your culture-crafting actions have positively impacted your organisation and wider communities.
“Culture is not what you say it is – it’s how it feels.”
Being a Culture Pioneer feels like that rare combination of privilege and duty. This awards programme brings attention to how a fabulous culture – the shaping of which is in thousands of deeds, words and sensations – really is what matters in helping people flourish in their work.”
Our Sponsors
Reasons to enter the Culture Pioneer Awards
As well as the pride that comes with entering and winning an award for you and your team, there are other benefits to entering the Culture Pioneers Awards.
Attracts talent
Showcases your company as a great place to work to help attract the best talent in a candidate-driven market.
Creates positive PR
Boosts your organisation’s external reputation and enables your brand to stand out among your competitors, with culture as part of your USP.
Retains employees
Supports your efforts to motivate, engage and retain your organisation’s existing workforce, and helps mitigate any impact experienced from the Great Resignation.
Boosts credibility
Raises your organisation’s profile as a culture change champion in a climate where putting people first has never been more important.
