People First

Human resources leadership is once again proving its strategic weight in shaping business outcomes. The sector is moving beyond operational efficiency to redefine what organisational resilience means in a rapidly changing world.

Applegreen wins HR Team of the Year – Large at HR Leadership & Management Awards 2025 shows how excellence in people strategy is being recognised not merely for internal culture but as a driver of corporate strength. The company’s success reflects a wider recognition of HR’s influence on strategic agility and long-term value creation.

That shift is echoed in Irish HR leaders stress aligning people strategy with business goals, which captures how firms are recalibrating priorities amid cost pressures and digital transformation. The conversation is no longer about HR supporting the business but about HR being the business.

Finally, UKG integrates Chime Workplace to enhance employee financial wellness highlights how technology partnerships are shaping the next frontier in workforce care. Financial wellbeing is fast becoming a business imperative, tying employee security directly to productivity and retention.

Explore how forward-thinking HR leadership continues to define the future of business success.