The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Awards night will be cherry on the cake
Acelebration of the very best individuals and teams within HR, training and recruitment from across Scotland, the cHeRries Awards highlight the work done by professionals in organisations of all sizes and in all sectors.
The ceremony will be held on June 1 at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, and those on the shortlist can be very proud of their achievements at having been judged as among the very best of their peers.
This is the 11th year the awards have been staged. There are 10 categories that have attracted dozens of nominations and one individual will walk off with the coveted Top Cherry award for their outstanding contribution to the industry.
Around 400 professionals from the world of HR will be gathering for the 2018 event but fear not – there’s still time to get tickets at www.cherries awards.com
Meantime, here are finalists from Courier country:
1. Matrix International Ltd, Brechin
Established in 1939 and now part of Altra Industrial Motion, Matrix International has evolved into a leading supplier for the motion control industry, designing and developing electromagnetic brakes and clutches. One-third of the brand’s 90 employees have 10 or more years of service, and recruitment is usually through word-of-mouth.
2. EQ Chartered Accountants, Dundee
A modern, energetic accounting practice, EQ Chartered Accountants deliver a comprehensive range of services to clients, including accountancy, audit and taxation, but their strength lies in advisory capabilities. At EQ, people are at the heart of what they do – they aim to offer the best in training, development and support to staff.
3. Karen Buchan, Balhousie Care Group
Karen has worked in HR since 2004, having previously worked in management roles within retail. Her current role is broad and requires a hands-on business partnering approach. Balhousie Care Group has 25 Care Homes across Scotland that offer quality care for people with a variety of needs.
4. Svetlana Bogdanova, Stoneridge Electronics Ltd
Svetlana is HR manager at Dundeebased Stoneridge Electronics Ltd, a leading provider of tachograph and fleet solutions to the European aftermarket. A member of the senior management team, Svetlana has accountability for the entire HR function in the UK and Europe. In 2009, she was Abertay University’s very first BA (Hons) graduate in HRM.
5. John Stewart, SSE, Perth
As HR Director for SSE, John is passionate about people development and ensuring HR adds value, by effective support of the business agenda. He has focused on the commercial value of HR and the return on investment effective HR strategies can deliver. This has been demonstrated with SSE publishing reports that illustrate the return from investment in human capital and in inclusion and diversity. John is widely involved in developing the workforce and is passionate about ensuring employers build the next generation of the workforce.
6. BrewDog People Team
In 2017, the craft beer company introduced Pawternity Leave – an initiative to support employees who were welcoming a new addition into their family – specifically, a new dog. All employees are now entitled to one week of fully-paid leave to help them settle their new pet (either a puppy or a rehomed dog) into their family. This arrangement encourages the firm’s employees to focus time into making the dog feel welcome during those fraught first few days.
7. Old Course Hotel St Andrews
The HR team at the AA Five Red Star-awarded hotel are proud to support a talented and diverse team of around 400 employees from a wide variety of disciplines. Their learning and development strategy recognises that people are the most important asset in achieving the goal of being the home of great service in Scotland.