FOUR North Wales businesses have been recognised in an awards shortlist for their high standards of HR and people development practices.

CIPD Wales Awards (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development), the professional body for HR and people development, will celebrate the best of the best of individuals and organisations across Wales at its annual awards ceremony.

Returning with the first gala ceremony since 2019, 41 companies, teams and individuals have been shortlisted across nine categories, representing a range of organisations, both large and small, across many sectors during a year that has been extremely challenging for many with the cost of living crisis and lasting effects of the pandemic.

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Finalists from the region include: Airbus UK in Broughton; Bodelwyddan-based Tayna Batteries, pioneers of online battery distribution in the UK, North and Mid Wales; Truck Road Agents in Bangor; and Caernarfon-based social enterprise, Antur Waunfaw.

Head of CIPD Wales, Lesley Richards, said: "We're delighted to be hosting the CIPD Wales Awards again to celebrate those who have supported our organisations and have helped us continue to improve our practices.

"It's wonderful to see smaller organisations who are making a real difference through good HR and people practices getting the recognition they deserve alongside bigger corporations.

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"The pandemic and cost of living crisis have highlighted the role of HR and people professionals across Wales and so many people and organisations have accomplished so much.

"I'm proud to see finalists from North Wales following in the footsteps of previous North Wales winners, Deeside's food giant Iceland, social housing provider, Adra, from Bangor and Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust in St Asaph."

The awards will be judged by recognised industry professionals including: Peter Kennedy, director of HR and corporate services at Welsh Government and Rachel Phillips, HR director for Babcock International who will be looking for extraordinary individuals and teams in Wales across HR, learning and people development.

• The CIPD Wales Awards will take place on Friday, March 3 in Cardiff.