Meet our 2025 winners!
On Tuesday 11th November, we celebrated a major milestone — the 10th anniversary of the Engage Awards, honouring excellence across customer, employee, sales, and marketing engagement. These awards recognise the initiatives and individuals driving meaningful connection and collaboration — the very efforts that underpin organisational success and sustained growth.
This year, our glittering ceremony took place at a brand-new venue, the iconic Old Billingsgate in London, bringing together leaders and innovators from across industries for an unforgettable evening. The brilliant Marcus Brigsticke — British comedian, writer, actor, presenter and performer — lit up the stage as host, entertaining the audience and revealing our 2025 Engage Awards winners, runners-up, and finalists.
Discover the full list of winners, runners-up, and finalists in each of our Engage Employee categories below!
BEST CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION STRATEGY :
Winner: H&M
Entry Overview: H&M’s entry showcased the creation of a global network of Colleague Listening & Employee Engagement Specialists designed to embed engagement into everyday culture across all regions and functions. The initiative stood out for its collaborative, cross-functional model that empowers local teams to activate engagement strategies in ways that are human, relevant, and sustainable. Their approach demonstrated meaningful cultural change by turning insights into action, strengthening accountability, and transforming engagement from a centralised programme into an organisation-wide movement.
Judges Comments: The judges loved seeing engagement treated as a shared responsibility. They praised the clear objectives, strong alignment to organisational goals, and creative approach. With measurable outcomes, compelling testimonials, and a broad, innovative strategy using networks and storytelling, this submission has truly increased ownership and impact across the business.
Category Finalists:
BEST TALENT & RECRUITMENT STRATEGY:
Winner: The Hill Group
Entry Overview: The Hill Group entered with a standout Management Trainee Programme designed to build a long-term, homegrown leadership pipeline through a structured, inclusive, and high-support apprenticeship model. Their approach differentiates itself through guaranteed progression pathways, holistic pastoral and academic support, cross-functional rotations, and a strong focus on community impact, diversity, and social value. The programme has strengthened their internal talent pipeline, elevated their employer brand, and created a loyal, purpose-driven workforce that is progressing into meaningful and senior roles across the organisation.
Judges Comments: The judges were deeply impressed by this submission, which has impact across people, society, and business. With a clear strategy and values embedded throughout, The Hill Group have set a new standard in talent and recruitment—particularly in an industry facing skills shortages. They stood out for their long-term approach to development, combining excellent training, retention, and tangible results. Truly inspiring and pace-setting.
Category Finalists:
BEST IMPLEMENTATION OF AI IN EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT:
Winner: Thomas
Entry Overview: Thomas entered with a pioneering AI-driven platform designed to strengthen employee connection by combining behavioural science, pulse insights and an in-platform AI coach that offers personalised, real-time guidance. Their innovation lies in making deep people science accessible in the flow of work, enabling teams and managers to understand behavioural dynamics, spark meaningful conversations, and address engagement challenges as they arise. Early results show that the platform is transforming onboarding, improving relationship-building in hybrid teams, and giving managers practical support to lead with clarity and confidence.
Judges Comments: The judges were impressed by this exciting innovation, particularly how it puts tools, insights, and conversations directly in leaders’ hands. Using a variety of approaches to tackle the challenges of building a positive culture in today’s changing workplace, the AI Coach Thom stood out as a brilliant way to help leaders digest information and take tangible action. A smart, evidence-based application of AI in the workplace.
Category Finalists:
BEST INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY:
Winner: Nuffield Health
Entry Overview: Nuffield Health delivered a bold internal communications strategy designed to rebuild trust, boost visibility of leadership, and make it easier for every colleague – especially those on the frontline – to have their say. Their campaign combined a fresh visual identity, behaviour-change principles, leadership ‘selfie’ videos, colleague storytelling, and friendly competition to drive genuine engagement across all sites. The result was a transformative shift in participation, unlocking richer insight, strengthening action planning, and laying the foundations for creating the best place to work in health and wellbeing.
Judges Comments: The judges praised this as a really lovely example of increasing participation among hard-to-reach employees through practical, results-focused interventions—delivered on a remarkably low budget. With clear metrics of success, genuine impact, and great collaboration between HR and Internal Comms, this entry stood out for all the right reasons.
Highly Commended: The Financial Times
Category Finalists:
BEST USE OF VOICE OF THE EMPLOYEE:
Winner: Qatar Airways
Entry Overview: Qatar Airways created a Group-wide employee listening ecosystem 'Our Voice' that gave every employee – across airports, aircraft, and corporate teams – a trusted and confidential platform to influence the organisation’s future. Their innovative approach connected feedback directly to action through departmental ownership, ideation challenges, leadership transparency, and new programmes supporting recognition, wellbeing, collaboration and psychological safety. The initiative has reshaped the employee experience, strengthened trust and cultural alignment, and embedded continuous listening into how the organisation leads and evolves.
Judges Comments: The judges were impressed by ‘Our Voice’—a thoughtful and forward-thinking employee voice programme built as an ongoing ecosystem rather than a one-off survey. With action at its core and a wide range of engagement methods, it’s a fantastic initiative that shows real commitment to listening, responding, and driving continuous improvement across the organisation.
Highly Commended: Grupo Salinas
Category Finalists:
BEST EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT TEAM :
Winner: Cuckoo
Entry Overview: Cuckoo’s People and Culture team demonstrated exceptional impact by uniting all elements of the employee lifecycle to deliver a seamless, values-led experience during a period of major organisational change. Their entry showcased a series of creative, human-centred initiatives — from an in-house recognition platform and inclusive hiring practices to storytelling podcasts, immersive events, and an overhauled onboarding journey — all designed to strengthen connection and pride across the business. The team’s collaborative, data-informed and purpose-driven approach has built a highly engaged workforce and a culture that remains strong, inclusive and inspiring even through significant transformation.
Judges Comments: The judges loved the video from Cuckoo’s People Team, which perfectly captured the warmth, humour, and authenticity of the organisation. They were impressed by how the team recognises that highly engaged people aren’t a luxury but the foundation of success—crafting exceptional experiences for everyone, from new starters to long-serving colleagues. A united, passionate team driving meaningful engagement across the business.
Highly Commended: Sanofi
Category Finalists:
BEST USE OF INNOVATION IN EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT:
Winner: Sanofi
Entry Overview: Sanofi introduced a groundbreaking methodology that empowers every employee to become an experience designer, shifting employee experience from a centrally owned function to a truly democratic, organisation-wide capability. Their human-centred framework, supported by diverse learning pathways, enables teams across multiple countries to identify root causes, co-create solutions, and implement meaningful improvements in real time. This innovative approach has rapidly transformed onboarding, learning and cross-functional collaboration, proving that scalable, high-impact engagement can be achieved through simplicity, empowerment and deep cultural alignment.
Judges Comments: The judges loved the focus on employee voice and involvement as a cornerstone of managing change. This entry stood out as a brilliant example of building real change capability across the workforce—achieving maximum results with minimal resources during a major transformation.
Highly Commended: TXP (Technology x People) & Boehringer Ingelheim (with the support of Gate One)
Category Finalists:
BEST EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY:
Winner: Virgin Management
Entry Overview: Virgin Management delivered a bold, modern employee engagement strategy designed to unite tens of thousands of colleagues worldwide under one shared culture, purpose and brand experience. Their approach blended digital innovation with human connection — launching a unified global platform, elevating leadership visibility, expanding mentoring and development access, and creating fresh communication formats that strengthened belonging and collaboration. The strategy has measurably improved satisfaction, alignment and organisational cohesion, while simultaneously generating clear commercial value and positioning employee engagement as a growth engine for the entire Virgin Group.
Judges Comments: The judges praised this strategy for perfectly capturing the spirit of the Virgin Group—full of fun, energy, and personality. They loved the enthusiasm and creativity running through every element, describing it as an excellent example of best practice brought to life with real passion and authenticity.
Highly Commended: SAP UKI & Ampa Group
Category Finalists:
BEST DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STRATEGY:
Winner: Smart DCC
Entry Overview: Smart DCC transformed Equity, Diversity and Inclusion from ad-hoc, goodwill-led activity into a fully embedded, business-critical strategy aligned to organisational values and long-term goals. Their three-pillar model - Empower, Embed and Engage - integrates behavioural change, data-driven decision-making, policy reform and supply-chain influence, ensuring inclusion is owned across every function rather than within a single team. The strategy has strengthened culture, increased transparency, expanded colleague networks and learning opportunities, and created a more connected, accountable and inclusive organisation that continues to evolve through continuous listening and measurable progress.
Judges Comments: The judges praised this strong and inspiring entry from DCC, highlighting its commitment to building an inclusive environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work. At a time of intense external scrutiny on ED&I, DCC is forging ahead with a comprehensive strategy, clear measures, and real momentum—showcasing meaningful progress and genuine intent.
Highly Commended: Welcome Break & The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
Category Finalists:
BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT:
Winner: The Summer Berry Company
Entry Overview: The Summer Berry Company transformed the onboarding experience for their seasonal workforce by replacing complex, paper-based processes with a multilingual digital platform designed around workers’ real needs and contexts. Their human-centred approach enhances clarity, accessibility and autonomy while improving operational efficiency through integrated systems and streamlined workflows. The initiative has strengthened ethical recruitment, improved communication and trust, and created a more supportive, informed and inclusive environment for workers from the moment they engage with the organisation
Judges Comments: The judges loved this entry for proving that award-winning impact doesn’t require big budgets—just genuine investment in people. It’s a wonderful example of an employee-led, values-driven initiative that delivers clear ROI, meets business needs, and removes friction through pragmatic, collaborative, and impactful action.
Highly Commended: The Marketing Pod with npower Business Solutions & WorkFlex
Category Finalists:
BEST EMPLOYEE WELLBEING STRATEGY:
Winner: Clarity Environmental
Entry Overview: Clarity Environmental implemented a proactive, company-wide wellbeing strategy providing personalised coaching for every employee to improve confidence, self-expression, and overall life experience. Their approach combines standard wellbeing initiatives with transformative personal development, creating a culture of psychological safety, inclusion, and support across all levels of the business. The strategy has strengthened employee engagement, retention, and satisfaction, while aligning wellbeing with business outcomes and demonstrating the tangible impact of investing in people.
Judges Comments: The judges were impressed by the commitment to making coaching opportunities available to the entire workforce. With a wide range of supportive, emotional, practical, and social initiatives—including volunteering days—the strategy demonstrates real care and measurable impact. A clear business case and strong ROI make this a standout example of people-focused success.
Highly Commended: People's Partnership & National Deaf Children's Society
Category Finalists:
VISION & VALUES:
Winner: Solopress
Entry Overview: Solopress developed a set of authentic, colleague-driven values that capture the essence of their culture while providing a shared framework for the future. Through collaborative workshops, playful yet meaningful phrasing, and creative visual design, the values were embedded across the business, strengthening communication, engagement, and alignment. This initiative has reduced turnover, enhanced onboarding, and fostered a culture where colleagues consistently reflect and celebrate the behaviours that make Solopress distinctive.
Judges Comments: The judges loved this creative and human approach to vision and values, brought to life through strong results and a fantastic video showcasing its impact on engagement. What really stood out was how the team developed values that are simple, authentic, and truly resonate with their people—avoiding corporate jargon and creating something that genuinely connects across the business.
Highly Commended: Westminster City Council & Nationwide Building Society
Category Finalists:
BEST USE OF TRAINING:
Winner: HSBC UK
Entry Overview: HSBC UK transformed inclusion training by using immersive VR to give colleagues a first-hand understanding of hidden disabilities, moving empathy from concept to lived experience. The initiative combined strategic vision, innovative technology, and operational precision to scale globally while embedding vulnerability awareness across the organisation. The programme has enhanced staff capability, strengthened customer service, driven measurable cultural change, and established a benchmark for inclusion training in the financial services sector.
Judges Comments: The judges praised this as a truly inspiring and innovative approach to raising awareness of diversity and inclusion. Using VR technology in a clever and creative way, this project has made a real impact on how people think and behave—an outstanding example of innovation with influence far beyond the banking sector.
Highly Commended: Wren Kitchens & Bedrooms & AtkinsRéalis Nuclear
Category Finalists:
ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE:
Winner: LV=
Entry Overview: LV= transformed its organisational culture by embedding equality, diversity, equity, and inclusion into every level of the business, combining executive sponsorship with colleague-led networks to ensure both strategic and grassroots impact. This dual-track approach has strengthened engagement, retention, and collaboration while creating a culture where employees feel seen, heard, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. The initiative has delivered measurable improvements in employee and customer experience, industry recognition, and organisational performance, establishing LV= as a benchmark for inclusive workplace culture.
Judges Comments: The judges were impressed by this entry for putting best practice in DEI at the heart of organisational culture. It’s a powerful example of embedding inclusion, equity, and meaningful impact into the way the organisation operates.
Highly Commended: XPS Group & Kura
Category Finalists:
GREAT PLACE TO WORK:
Winner: Clarity Environmental
Entry Overview: Clarity Environmental Ltd has created an exceptional workplace by focusing on improving employees’ overall life experience, combining transformational coaching, wellbeing initiatives, and career development opportunities to empower staff at every stage. Their innovative approach including has driven engagement, inspiration, and empowerment to record levels. This commitment to inclusivity, recognition, and holistic support has resulted in high staff satisfaction, retention, and recommendation, making Clarity a standout example of a truly great place to work.
Judges Comments: The judges were blown away by this comprehensive and innovative entry, showcasing a wide range of activity to build a strong company culture. With exceptional employee experience, high engagement, widespread promotions, generous rewards, and a focus on wellbeing and purpose, Clarity demonstrates a truly outstanding approach to developing employees as whole people and achieving measurable life-improving impact.
Highly Commended: Bright Horizons UK & Moneypenny
Category Finalists: