At Altaris Business Awards, we are pleased to announce the winners and finalists of the 2026 Human Resources Awards. This year’s recipients demonstrate how effective HR can improve working life while helping organisations operate with greater confidence.
Spanning consultancy, inclusive employment, professional development, international recruitment and HR technology, the recognised work addresses practical challenges faced by employers and employees around the world.
2026 Human Resources Awards Winners
Phase 3 receives the Best HR Consultancy award for its independent approach to HR, payroll and finance transformation. Its consultants work with operational users and senior HR teams to understand existing challenges before assessing systems and advising on suitable options. This combination of technical knowledge, market insight and careful discovery helps clients make informed decisions about technology that will affect their people and processes for years to come. Continued research, knowledge sharing and professional certifications further support its position as a trusted consultancy.
Inclusion is most meaningful when it leads to genuine opportunities. SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation is our Diversity and Inclusion Champion for developing employment and training pathways for people who can face barriers within the labour market. Its initiatives have supported people with disabilities, Deaf professionals, senior citizens and individuals preparing to return to employment following detention. This work is reinforced through employee engagement, wellbeing programmes and activities supporting LGBTQIA+ inclusion, making diversity part of the organisation’s wider approach to recruitment, development and workplace culture.
International recruitment calls for more than access to candidates. It requires an understanding of different markets, cultures and organisational needs. International Strategic Hiring Choices (ISHC) wins Talent Acquisition Excellence, supported by experience across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. Its work encompasses global recruitment projects, multicultural teams, people-centred policies and the creation of HR functions for growing organisations. This broader strategic perspective enables recruitment decisions to support both immediate workforce requirements and longer-term business development.
With 27 years of experience, Cybele Training & Consultancy Ltd receives the Learning and Development Excellence award for creating bespoke programmes in management, leadership, wellbeing, client experience and sales. Its workshops combine psychology, behavioural insight and practical learning, with content adapted to each organisation rather than taken from a standard course catalogue. Now delivering across four continents, the company has maintained its focus on helping participants communicate more effectively, strengthen workplace relationships and develop confidence in their roles.
HR software should make essential work easier, particularly for smaller businesses without large internal teams. Root HR Limited wins Best Use of HR Technology for developing an AI-supported platform focused on the everyday HR and compliance needs of UK SMEs. The system is designed to bring employee records, recruitment, rotas, leave and document management into one place, while helping employers monitor Right to Work documentation and approaching expiry dates. Its use of AI to identify potential risks and prompt action offers practical support without seeking to replace professional HR judgement.
2026 Human Resources Awards Finalists
- Ig-hr – Best HR Consultancy
- SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation – Learning and Development Excellence, Talent Acquisition Excellence
- Team Wheel – Best Use of HR Technology
Better HR Begins with Understanding People
This year’s results reflect a profession with responsibilities extending across the complete employee experience. Recruitment, development, inclusion, compliance and wellbeing may be distinct areas of work, but each depends on understanding what people and organisations genuinely need.
The achievements being celebrated are grounded in practical action. They include widening access to employment, adapting learning to different teams, helping leaders assess complex technology and using automation to reduce repetitive administration. Just as importantly, they demonstrate the value of listening to employees and involving users in decisions that affect their work.
From all of us at Altaris Business Awards, congratulations to the winners and finalists of the Human Resources Awards. Their work shows how thoughtful HR practices can create better-supported employees and stronger, more capable organisations.
