Episode 38: Celebrating Excellence: HR Indies Awards 2024

A podcast for independent HR and people, professionals, and the businesses they support.

Hosted by Mary Asante and Charlotte Allfrey of HR Independents Ltd.

DATE: 9th December 2024

Episode 38: Celebrating Excellence: HR Indies Awards 2024

Guest: Ruth George of Ruth George HR Consulting (Winner of HRi 2024 Inspirational Indie Award), Susi O'Brien of O’Brien HR (Winner of HRi 2024 Emerging Talent Award) and Claire Watt of Ditton HR (Winner of HRi 2024 High Growth Indie Award).

Podcast Summary:
In Episode 38 of HR Voices, hosts Mary Asante and Charlotte Allfrey celebrate the winners of the HR Indies Awards 2024, which recognise outstanding achievements in the HR consultancy space. This special episode highlights the winners, their inspiring journeys, and their significant contributions to the HR community. The conversation reflects the passion, innovation, and dedication that HR consultants bring to the small business ecosystem across the UK.

In This Episode:

1. Celebrating the HR Indies Awards 2024:

• Overview of the three award categories: Emerging Talent, High Growth Indie, and Inspirational Indie.
• The role of the awards in spotlighting the incredible work of HR consultants supporting SMEs across the UK.
• Special thanks to the sponsors: Occupational Health Assessment, HR Uprising, and Starford Legal and People Consultancy, who made the awards possible.

Meet the Winners:

• Emerging Talent Award: Susie O’Brien of O’Brien HR (Edinburgh)
  • Recognised for her impressive progress as a new HR consultant and her ability to balance employment law technicalities with real-world application.
  • Susie shares her journey from sole trader to a growing consultancy and her aspirations to build a team in the near future.
• High Growth Indie Award: Claire Watt of Ditton HR (Surrey)
  • A testament to strategic growth, Claire evolved her consultancy from a sole proprietorship to a hybrid model with employees and associates.
  • Claire discusses the challenges of stepping back from day-to-day operations, empowering her team, and ensuring client trust through a collaborative approach.
• Inspirational Indie Award: Ruth George of Ruth George HR Consulting (Hertfordshire)
  • Peer-nominated for her exceptional support and inspiration within the HR community.
  • Ruth reflects on her 30-year HR career and her passion for helping SMEs and mentoring HR professionals.

The Impact of Awards:

• Winners share how the recognition has boosted their confidence, validated their work, and enhanced their credibility with clients.
• The role of the awards in fostering a sense of community and inspiring HR professionals at all stages of their journey.

Key Takeaways:

1. Recognition Matters: The HR Indies Awards shine a light on the often unsung heroes of the HR consultancy world, providing validation for their hard work and dedication.
2. A Community of Support: The awards highlight the collaborative and supportive nature of the HR consultant community, demonstrating the value of peer recognition.
3. Growth Comes in Many Forms: From emerging talents finding their footing to high-growth businesses scaling operations, the awards celebrate diverse paths to success in the HR consultancy field.

Actionable Insights from the Winners:

• Susie O’Brien:
  • Focus on building a learning mindset to adapt and refine your business model.
  • Identify your niche and align your services with your strengths and client needs.
• Claire Watt:
  • Be strategic about growth by balancing profitability and scalability through a hybrid model.
  • Transitioning from solo work to team management requires empowering others and building trust.
• Ruth George:
  • Lean on your HR community for collaboration and support; independence doesn’t mean isolation.
  • Always find ways to give back and inspire others, as recognition from peers carries immense value.

Thanks for Listening!
We hope you enjoyed this celebratory episode of HR Voices. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the HR Indies Awards 2024!

Want to join the celebration next year? Submissions for the 2025 HR Indies Awards open early next year. Mark your calendars for October 10th, 2025, for the flagship conference and awards ceremony.

For more information or to appear as a guest on our podcast, email us at hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk.