2026 WINNERS & EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

Award Categories

FutureYou AUSTRALIAN HR CHAMPION (CEO) OF THE YEAR


Winner: Roberto Scenna, Defence Bank

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In the photo from L to R: Emily Wilson from FutureYou and Roberto Scenna from Defence Bank

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Drew Morland, IOR
  • Emily Scott, Waverley Council
  • Dr. Geoff Allan, Austroads
  • Hope McGarry, Ingram Micro
  • Martin Merrick, Volvo Group Australia
  • Stephanie McGregor, Marinus Link
  • Susan Sadler, Red Wagon Workplace Solutions

Sponsored by

FutureYou-web

AUSTRALIAN HR DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR


Winner: Brad McLean, BlueScope

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Dilek Senturk, Aspire Early Education & Kindergarten
  • Dora Peake, Versent Group
  • Gemma Martin, University of NSW
  • Kate Ludwig, Story House Early Learning
  • Rachael Britton, McCabes Lawyers
  • Sarah Novelli, BGIS
  • Sarah Peebles, ISS
  • Tanith Jones, Gallagher Bassett
  • Zemeel Saba, Oral Health Victoria

Western Sydney University The College AUSTRALIAN HR MANAGER OF THE YEAR


Winner: Michelle Poffandi, Versent Group

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In the photo from L to R: Glenn Campbelll from Western Sydney University The College and Michelle Poffandi from Versent Group

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Claire Bateman, Uniting Church QLD Synod
  • Correne Vorster, FTI Consulting
  • Elizabeth Pasoski, Benedict Recycling
  • Emily Innes, Gallagher Bassett Services

Sponsored by

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LHH AUSTRALIAN HR RISING STAR OF THE YEAR


Winner: Tia Utz, Icon Group

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In the photo from L to R: Tia Utz from Icon Group and James Mcilvena from LHH

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Andrea Dojcinovska, Vitex Pharmaceuticals
  • Bronte Cavallero, Publicis Groupe
  • Ele Gnauck, Adica Insurance (Aioi Nissay Dowa)
  • James Schlunke, Capgemini
  • Joshua Abramson, ForHealth Group
  • Krishna Sen, Leora Healthcare
  • Rhea Roy John, Orora

Sponsored by

LHH-web

Right Management AUSTRALIAN HR TEAM OF THE YEAR (>1000 EMPLOYEES)


Winner: Anglo American

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In the photo from L to R: Ben Mansour from Anglo American and Sally-Anne Blanshard from Right Management

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • BGIS
  • Capgemini
  • Dept of Education QLD — Teacher Recruitment Team
  • Gallagher Bassett Services
  • HWLE Lawyers
  • ICON Group
  • MYOB- Talent Acquisition Team
  • Stryker
  • The Y NSW

Sponsored by

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AUSTRALIAN HR TEAM OF THE YEAR (≤1000 EMPLOYEES)


Winner: Oral Health Victoria

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In the photo: Bridie Williams from Oral Health Victoria

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Cliftons Event Solutions
  • Delta Power & Energy
  • Edwards Lifesciences
  • FTI Consulting
  • hipages Group
  • Loan Market Group (LMG)
  • Nexon Asia Pacific

BEST GRADUATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM


Winner: Lendlease

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In the photo from L to R: Jodette Cleary from Hipages and Claire Merriman from Lendlease

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Australian National University
  • Capgemini
  • Mineral Resources
  • MTR Australia
  • MUFG Bank
  • Oral Health Victoria

BEST HEALTH & WELLBEING PROGRAM


Winner: Marinus Link

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In the photo: Stephanie McGregor from Marinus Link

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Commonwealth Bank
  • Downer Energy & Utilities
  • Edwards Lifesciences
  • Metso Australia
  • TAFE NSW
  • THE ICONIC
  • Ventura
  • Victoria University (thrive* team)
  • Village Roadshow Theme Parks

BTS BEST LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM


Winner: Cochlear

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In the photo from L to R: Carolyn Taylor from Cochlear and Stephanie Peskett from bts

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Coles
  • Flybuys
  • Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service Staff
  • James Hardie
  • KPMG Australia
  • QBE Australia
  • Richard Crookes Constructions
  • TSA Riley
  • Westpac

Sponsored by

BTS-web

BEST LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM


Winner: Anglicare Sydney

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In the photo from L to R: Sheila Matete-Owiti from Anglicare Sydney and Phillip Van Mourik from Wageloch

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Airbus Australia Pacific
  • Allianz Australia
  • Aurecon
  • Coleman Greig Lawyers
  • Hilton Hotels of Australia
  • James Hardie
  • Levande
  • UniSuper

Greenhouse BEST RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN


Winner: Deloitte Australia

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In the photo from L to R: Tom Hyde from Greenhouse and Belinda Willis from Deloitte

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Accor
  • Angle Finance
  • Inlogik
  • InstantScripts (Wesfarmers Health)
  • Penrith City Council
  • TBH (Tracey Brunstrom & Hammond)

Sponsored by

Greenhouse-HD

Vialto BEST REMOTE WORK STRATEGY


Winner: Pupal

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In the photo from L to R: Gemma Mulready from Pupal and Hugh Cook from Vialto

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Metso Australia
  • NTI
  • Populous

Sponsored by

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BEST REWARD & RECOGNITION PROGRAM


Winner: Edwards Lifesciences

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In the photo from L to R: Fleur Kearns and Saisha Verma from Edwards Lifesciences

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Adica Insurance (Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Company Australia)
  • Australia New Zealand Recycling Platform
  • Brisbane Catholic Education
  • Eli Lilly ANZ
  • Insurance Australia Group (IAG) Retail Insurance division
  • Latitude Financial Services
  • Orica
  • The Lottery Corporation

Valsoft BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY


Winner: Commonwealth Bank

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In the photo from L to R: Gnaneeka Kodagoda from Vocantas and Tim Casey from Commonwealth Bank

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • BOQ Group
  • Cancer Council NSW
  • EY Oceania
  • Commonwealth Bank
  • Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service
  • Metso Australia
  • Nestlé Oceania
  • Nexon Asia Pacific

Sponsored by

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BEST WORKPLACE DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION PROGRAM


Winner: IKEA Australia

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In the photo from L to R: Todd Reynolds from Energy Queensland and Harriet Pope from IKEA Australia

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Accor
  • Amazon Operations Australia
  • ASIC
  • Deloitte Australia
  • Essential Energy
  • Munich Re
  • Our Watch
  • Publicis Groupe
  • Queensland Rail

BEST WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITY PROGRAM


Winner: Defence Bank

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In the photo from L to R: Kate Hickman from Infoxchange and Kristen Bugeja from Defence Bank

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Allianz Australia
  • Beaumont People
  • Our Watch
  • Scyne
  • Telix Pharmaceuticals

SG Fleet EMPLOYER OF CHOICE (>1000 EMPLOYEES)


Winner: NBN Co

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In the photo from L to R: Lei Iglesia from NBN Co and Lindsay Underwood from SG Fleet 

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Allianz Australia
  • Aussie Broadband
  • EML Group
  • Metso Australia
  • Newcastle Greater Mutual Group
  • Story House Early Learning
  • Westpac

Sponsored by

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Timecloud EMPLOYER OF CHOICE (100-999 EMPLOYEES)


Winner: Eli Lilly Australia

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In the photo from L to R: Oliver Butler from Timecloud, Katie Price from Eli Lilly and Luke Butler from Timecloud

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Cancer Care Associates
  • Crawford & Company
  • Defence Bank
  • Edwards Lifesciences
  • Jumbo Interactive
  • Munich Re
  • NTI
  • Richard Crookes Constructions
  • Versent Group

Sponsored by

Timecloud Logo

EMPLOYER OF CHOICE (1-99 EMPLOYEES)


Winner: Brisbane Economic Development Agency

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In the photo from L to R: Jacqui Paurini from Accor and Abigail Chambers from Brisbane Economic Development Agency

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Australian Physiotherapy Association
  • Resolve
  • RDC.AI
  • SignManager
  • Telix Pharmaceuticals
  • Unified Lawyers

EMPLOYER OF CHOICE (PUBLIC SECTOR & NFP)


Winner: NBN Co

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In the photo from L to R: Lei Iglesia from NBN Co and Stacey Dawes from National Breast Cancer Foundation 

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

  • Brisbane North Primary Health Network (BNPHN)
  • Cancer Council NSW
  • City of Stirling
  • Our Watch
  • Stroke Foundation
  • Stuartholme School
  • The Disability Trust