Left to Right: Lynn Carson, Managing Director of DMS Ireland; Lisa Dargavel, winner of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD)NI Outstanding Student of the Year 2016; Gillian Robson, CIPD Foundation and Intermediate Qualification Manager and Vicki Sinclair, Highly Commended CIPD Outstanding Student of the Year 2016.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development Northern Ireland Awards took place recently at the Titanic, Belfast and local ladies from Bangor and Holywood celebrated success in the category of Outstanding HR Student of the Year 2016. Lisa Dargavel from Holywood was crowed winner of the prestigious award and Vicki Sinclair was awarded as Highly Commended.

Lynn Carson, Managing Director of Bangor’s CIPD Qualification Centre, DMS and the newly appointed Chair of the CIPD Northern Ireland Branch, opened the 4thAwards Gala Evening to a 350 strong audience. “This is such a special night, which represents and showcases excellent HR & L&D Professionalism within Northern Ireland.” Lynn continued, “It is important for us as a Branch to highlight and support the Profession here, to help HR create and maintain a positive impact in the workplace, thereby adding value to an organisation’s strategy and people.”

As well as HR and L&D Professionals across Northern Ireland, the evening was supported by CIPD representatives in Scotland, Ireland and addressing the audience, Peter Cheese, Chief Executive of CIPD. Peter expressed the “need for great innovation and great practice in HR and now is the time for innovation and change for better work and working lives.”

Lisa and Vicki are currently working on the CIPD Intermediate Diploma in Human Resource Management with DMS in Bangor.

Lisa Dargavel (winner of the CIPD NI Outstanding Student of the Year 2016) explains how the CIPD Qualification is helping her role in the workplace: “The qualification has greatly increased my knowledge and awareness of some of the key topics that we are faced with on a day to day basis. It has given me the confidence to develop and lead various initiatives at Neueda and has highlighted areas that we would like to develop and build upon as we continue to grow as a company.”

Vicki Sinclair (Highly Commended CIPD NI Outstanding Student of the Year 2016) explains that she decided to embark on the CIPD Qualification with DMS because of the “flexibility to complete the diploma alongside my normal working hours” and “the training and research I have undertaken throughout the diploma has inspired me to keep pushing the company forward, seeking improved organisational performance.”

Lynn Carson provides a final note on the magnificent evening at The Titanic, Belfast: “I am delighted that DMS candidates have won the Outstanding HR Student of the Year 2016 – making it 3 years in a row for our candidates winning this prestigious award. I was delighted to attend the CIPD NI Awards 2016 with the DMS team and celebrate the incredible achievements of our Candidates. It was a resounding success and I congratulate all the winners and those highly commended.”