Awards 2025 guidance and criterias

Contents

About the Annual Excellence Awards .................................................................... 3

CIPP Bright Beginnings Award ............................................................................................ 4

CIPP Spotlight Award .......................................................................................................... 6

CIPP Leadership Award ...................................................................................................... 8

In-House Payroll Team of the Year Award ......................................................................... 10

Software Product of the Year Award ................................................................................. 12

Software Innovation Product of the Year Award ................................................................ 14

Project of the Year Award .................................................................................................. 16

Financial Wellbeing Award ................................................................................................ 18

International Payroll Service Provider of the Year Award .................................................. 20

Payroll Service Provider of the Year .................................................................................. 22

How to submit ........................................................................................................ 24

Tips for your submission ...................................................................................... 26

Frequently asked questions .................................................................................. 27

About the Annual Excellence Awards

The CIPP Annual Excellence Awards 2025 will take place on 2 October 2025, forming an integral part of our Annual Conference and Exhibition package.

The awards are the longest-running, independent awards in the industry.

They were established to recognise the important role that payroll and pensions play in the UK economy; especially when you consider the £345billion paid to the government through income tax and national insurance contributions. The CIPP Annual Excellence awards looks at payroll, pensions and reward professionals who have made an impact to the industry with the work that they do.

The awards are judged by a group of independent judges.

Changes for 2025

Categories: New categories have been added for software innovation, financial wellbeing and leadership.

Payroll Service Provider Award: To ensure fairness based on the size and complexity of each organisation, the Payroll Service Provider category will be divided using three key questions asked at the start of the submission process. These questions will help classify providers into small, medium, and large organisations. The judges will finalise the divisions during the judging process to ensure an equitable split.

This year’s categories

CIPP Bright Beginnings Award

The CIPP Bright Beginnings Award is aimed at those who have joined the payroll, pensions, and reward industry within the last two years, or who are currently completing an apprenticeship. This award recognises an individual who has made a significant impact and contribution to their organisation within the last 12 months. The recipient of this award does not have to be a member of the CIPP, but they do have to demonstrate evidence of their personal and professional development within the industry, in addition to the impact they have made to their organisation. The winner will be granted 12 months of free associate membership. Any individual who is shortlisted and is not a member of the CIPP will be granted 12 months of free affiliate membership.

Each organisation may submit only one nomination per category to ensure fairness and quality of submissions.

Submission (maximum 1,000 words)

To nominate in this category, provide up to 1,000 words showing evidence of the following:

• Personal and professional development : This could include a professional development plan, CPD (Continuing Professional Development) log, appraisal documentation, and/or certificates of achievement and completion • Evidence of their impact on the employing organisation , including but not limited to: o Changes or improvements instigated and implemented by the individual with details of how the need for change was identified, actions taken by the individual, and measurable benefits that have resulted from the change o Details of how the individual has adapted their day-to-day work to utilise any new skills or training that they have gained o How the organisation has benefitted since the individual joined o Evidence of completed projects with measurable results rather than projects still in progress.

Nomination Summary Statement (Maximum 150 words)

Nominees may provide a brief overview of their career background to give context to their achievements. However, the focus of the award will remain on their accomplishments within the last 12 months. If your nomination is shortlisted, this

summary will be published on the CIPP website. Please do not include any sensitive or confidential information in the summary.

Testimonials

A maximum of three testimonials should be provided, with judges deducting marks for additional submissions. Testimonials must be:

• On company letterhead or email with contact details • Alternatively, submitted as video testimonials (maximum 1 minute per video). The individual must introduce themselves, their organisation, and their connection to the nominee • Provided within the last 12 months with a date stamp.

Supporting Documents

Please attach any relevant support material, including testimonials, research, performance analysis, collateral, screen grabs, pictures, etc.

• Entrants may attach up to 4 files of supporting material • All attached files must be no larger than 2 MB each • Videos should last no longer than 3 minutes.

CIPP Spotlight Award

The CIPP Spotlight Award is open to individuals working in payroll, pensions, and/or reward at any level within the industry. This award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional professional achievement and made a significant impact in the past 12 months. To ensure fairness, no single organisation may submit more than one entry for the same individual category. Judges will be looking for evidence that the individual has made a real impact or overcome adversity, going above and beyond what is expected in their role. Judges will focus on achievements within the last 12 months not their entire career, and the individual’s contributions should have measurable results and tangible benefits for their organisation or peers.

Submission (Maximum 1,000 words)

To nominate in this category, submit up to 1,000 words explaining why the individual should receive the Spotlight Award this year. Your submission should include: • Details of challenges faced : describe any issues the individual has overcome in the past year, including creative or innovative solutions they used. Highlight any measurable benefits gained, risks avoided, or significant improvements made as a result of their actions • Competing priorities : outline how the individual has balanced multiple responsibilities such as studying, managing additional projects, or training others while maintaining exceptional performance in their regular role • Organisational improvements : discuss improvements the individual has made to their employing organisation in the past year. Describe what was done previously, how the need for change was identified, how the change was implemented, and how it was evaluated. Include the measurable benefits and success indicators that demonstrate the impact of their contributions • Support for peers : describe how the individual has supported their peers through formal or informal training, mentoring, or teamwork. This could include going above and beyond to boost morale, collaborate with others, and raise the profile of their role or team within the organisation.

Nomination Summary Statement (Maximum 150 words)

Provide a brief summary of your entry, highlighting why this individual should win the award. If your nomination is shortlisted, this summary will be published on the CIPP website, so avoid including sensitive or confidential information.

Testimonials

A maximum of three testimonials should be provided, with judges deducting marks for additional submissions. Testimonials must be: • On company letterhead or email with contact details • Alternatively, submitted as video testimonials (maximum 1 minute per video). The individual must introduce themselves, their organisation, and their connection to the nominee • Provided within the last 12 months with a date stamp.

Supporting Documents

Please attach any relevant support material, including testimonials, research, performance analysis, collateral, screen grabs, pictures, etc.

• Entrants may attach up to 4 files of supporting material • All attached files must be no larger than 2 MB each • Videos should last no longer than 3 minutes.

CIPP Leadership Award

The payroll, pensions, and reward profession is shaped by exceptional leaders who use their influence to advocate for the industry and drive meaningful change. These individuals mentor, empower, and support those around them, inspiring the next generation of professionals. The CIPP Leadership Award recognises an outstanding individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership within the last 12 months. This person has gone above and beyond their daily role, making a measurable impact on both the profession and the careers of others. To ensure fairness, no single organisation may submit more than one entry for the same individual category.

Submission Guidelines (Maximum 1,000 Words)

To nominate an individual for this award, please provide a detailed submission covering the following:

• Driving Change: Describe the change the nominee has instigated or led within the past year, including how they identified the need for it • Implementation & Measurable Impact: Outline the actions they took to implement the change and provide measurable outcomes achieved within the last 12 months. Ongoing projects without results will not be considered • Industry Advocacy: Explain how the nominee has championed the profession, raised its profile within their organisation and beyond, and encouraged new talent to enter the industry • Inspiration & Mentorship: Demonstrate how they have inspired and supported colleagues, shared knowledge, and empowered their peers to grow professionally.

Nominee Career Summary (Maximum 150 Words)

Nominees must provide a career overview summarising their background and expertise. However, the award is based solely on achievements from the last 12 months.

Testimonials

A maximum of three testimonials should be provided, with judges deducting marks for additional submissions. Testimonials must be:

Supporting Documents

Please attach any relevant support material, including testimonials, research, performance analysis, collateral, screen grabs, pictures, etc.

• Entrants may attach up to 4 files of supporting material • All attached files must be no larger than 2 MB each • Videos should last no longer than 3 minutes.

In-House Payroll Team of the Year Award

Teamwork is crucial to the success of any business. Employees should work towards a shared strategic goal, contributing to the organisation’s overall mission and success. This award recognises the in-house payroll team that has demonstrated outstanding performance over the last 12 months, compelling their employer to acknowledge the critical role their department plays in improving overall company performance.

Submission (maximum 1,000 words

To nominate in this category, provide up to 1,000 words demonstrating evidence of the following, ensuring that all achievements and initiatives have taken place within the last 12 months:

Team Overview

Provide an overview of the team, its structure, and how members collaborate to maximise individual skills and experience in delivering exceptional service within the organisation.

Supporting evidence may include:

• Skills matrices or professional development plans to showcase investment in team growth • Organisation chart indicating where payroll, pensions, and/or reward sits within the business.

This section should also outline:

Number of employees on payroll

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Size of the payroll team

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• Success of pay and reward strategies implemented in the last year, with measurable outcomes (e.g., cost/resource savings, increased uptake of flexible benefits) • Steps taken to enhance the team's profile within the organisation.

Team Projects

Outline any initiatives the team has undertaken in the last 12 months that go beyond day-to-day responsibilities and have had a positive impact on the organisation.

These should be completed projects with measurable results, rather than those still in progress. Examples include:

• Re-organisation of the department to better utilise team skills • Improvements in communication within the team or wider organisation to enhance service delivery • Process and system enhancements to improve efficiency and effectiveness • Outsourcing certain functions to enable the team to focus on higher-value activities • Achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs) and measurable results.

Nomination Summary Statement (maximum 150 words)

Provide a brief summary highlighting why this team deserves to win. If shortlisted, this summary will be published on the CIPP website, so please do not include confidential or sensitive information.

Testimonials

A maximum of three testimonials should be provided, with judges deducting marks for additional submissions. Testimonials must be:

Supporting Documents

Please attach any relevant support material, including testimonials, research, performance analysis, collateral, screen grabs, pictures, etc.

• Entrants may attach up to 4 files of supporting material • All attached files must be no larger than 2 MB each • Videos should last no longer than three minutes.

Software Product of the Year Award

Please note this award is solely for software products. There is a separate category for service providers.

This award is aimed at software products that are sold and supplied to customers. It will recognise an organisation that is committed to ensuring its software is compliant, user-friendly, enables best practice, and is well supported. The award will be given to the software product itself, with judges assessing what makes it stand out and how it embraces innovation.

Submission (maximum 1,000 words)

Details of the Software Product

This section should provide product information and specifications, focusing on achievements within the last 12 months and including:

• How the organisation ensures the software remains compliant with legislative changes • Frequency and details of product releases and updates to clients • How the organisation keeps its clients informed of legislative updates, such as customer conferences, newsletters, or other communications (provide examples) • Reporting and analytics functionality available within the product • Evidence of customer support, including system intuitiveness, helpdesk support, and additional assistance provided to clients.

Details of Innovation

This section should highlight how the product is developed and differentiated from competitors, including:

• Unique features that set the product apart from competitors • How the organisation manages change and integrates new technologies • How product development maximises benefits for customers and improves their experience.

Nomination Summary Statement (maximum 150 words

Summarise why this software product should win. If shortlisted, this summary will be published on the CIPP website. Please do not include any sensitive or confidential information.

Testimonials

A maximum of three testimonials should be provided, with judges deducting marks for additional submissions. Testimonials must be:

Supporting Documents

• Entrants may attach up to 4 supporting files, each no larger than 2MB • Supporting documents should focus on achievements within the last 12 months and may include research, performance analysis, collateral, screen grabs, pictures, etc. • Videos should be no longer than 3 minutes.

Software Innovation Product of the Year Award

This award recognises outstanding software products that demonstrate excellence in innovation, usability, compliance, and customer support. It is open to software products that are sold and supplied to customers, with a separate category available for service providers.

The award will be presented to the software product itself, and judges will evaluate what makes it stand out, how it embraces innovation, and the impact it has on users.

Judges will look for:

• A highly innovative software product that leverages cutting-edge technology, including AI, to enhance performance and usability • Compliance and best practices ensuring that the software meets all relevant regulations and industry standards • Strong customer support and engagement demonstrating how users are kept informed, supported, and empowered • Clear differentiation from competitors showcasing unique features and benefits that set the product apart.

Submission Guidelines (Maximum 1,000 words)

To enter this category, provide up to 1,000 words covering the following areas:

Details of the Software Product

Judges will be looking for:

• Product specifications and core functionalities • How the software stays compliant with evolving regulations • Methods used to keep clients informed of legislative changes (e.g., newsletters, webinars, customer conferences please provide examples • Frequency and details of product updates/releases • Reporting and analytics capabilities • Evidence of customer support, such as an intuitive user experience, helpdesk availability, and additional resources.

Details of Innovation

This section should highlight how the software embraces innovation and stands out from competitors, including:

• Key differentiators that make the product superior to competitors • How the software integrates and maximises emerging technologies such as AI, automation, or machine learning • Approaches to managing change and adopting new technological advancements • How product development benefits customers and enhances efficiency, accuracy, or user experience

Nomination Summary Statement (Maximum 150 Words)

Provide a concise summary of your entry, outlining why your software product deserves to win. If shortlisted, this summary will be published on the CIPP website, so please avoid including any sensitive or confidential information.

Testimonials

A maximum of three testimonials should be provided, with judges deducting marks for additional submissions. Testimonials must be:

Supporting Documents

Please attach any relevant support material, including testimonials, research, performance analysis, collateral, screen grabs, pictures, etc.

• Entrants may attach up to 4 files of supporting material • All attached files must be no larger than 2 MB each • Videos should last no longer than 3 minutes.

This award celebrates forward-thinking software products that push the boundaries of innovation while ensuring compliance, usability, and exceptional customer support.

Project of the Year Award

Successful project implementation is essential in payroll, pensions, and reward, driving efficiency, compliance, and innovation. This award recognises an outstanding project that has delivered measurable success.

Submission Guidelines (Maximum 1,000 Words)

To nominate a project for this award, please provide a submission covering the following:

Project Overview

Judges will assess:

• The nature and objectives of the project along with the reason for undertaking the project • How the need for change was identified, including relevant metrics before and after implementation • The project management approach, including techniques used and their suitability • Internal communication strategy during the project • Collaboration requirements and how these were managed • Project timeline and key implementation phases • Challenges encountered and how they were overcome.

Evidence of Improvements & Impact

Judges will look for tangible evidence of:

• Time and cost savings achieved, including new initiatives or business opportunities enabled by the project • Improvements based on feedback or survey data • How lessons learned were incorporated into future improvements • KPIs used to track project performance over time.

Nomination Summary Statement (Maximum 150 Words)

Summarise why this project deserves to win, highlighting its key achievements. If shortlisted, this summary will be published on the CIPP website, so please avoid any sensitive or confidential information.

Testimonials

A maximum of three testimonials should be provided, with judges deducting marks for additional submissions. Testimonials must be:

Supporting Documents

Please attach any relevant support material, including testimonials, research, performance analysis, collateral, screen grabs, pictures, etc.

• Entrants may attach up to 4 files of supporting material • All attached files must be no larger than 2 MB each • Videos should last no longer than 3 minutes.

Financial Wellbeing Award

As financial security plays a crucial role in overall employee well-being, this award recognises organisations that have implemented initiatives to enhance their employees' financial awareness, stability, and resilience.

Judges will look for:

• An innovative Financial Well-being Strategy that supports employees in managing their finances effectively • A clear rationale demonstrating why the strategy was implemented and how it aligns with broader business objectives • Evidence of impact showing return on investment and improvements in employee financial health through metrics, case studies, and staff feedback.

Submission guidelines (maximum 1,000 words)

To enter this category, provide up to 1,000 words addressing the following areas:

Overview of the Financial Well-being Strategy

Judges will be looking for details on:

• How the Financial Well-being Strategy integrates with the overall corporate strategy, with clear links between the two • The challenges or needs that led to the development of the initiative • Collaboration across departments or external partners to implement the strategy • How the effectiveness of the financial well-being programme is measured over time.

Overview of Employee Benefits and Financial Support

This section should highlight:

• The financial benefits and tools available to employees, including savings schemes, financial education, debt support, or pension advice • How the benefits were identified and tailored to employee needs • Participation rates and the impact on employee financial confidence, stress levels, and overall well-being • What makes the financial support offering unique compared to industry standards • How success is measured over time.

Nomination Summary Statement (Maximum 150 Words)

Provide a concise summary of your entry, outlining why your organisation deserves to win. If shortlisted, this summary will be published on the CIPP website, so please avoid including any sensitive or confidential information.

Testimonials

A maximum of three testimonials should be provided, with judges deducting marks for additional submissions. Testimonials must be:

Supporting Documents

Please attach any relevant support material, including testimonials, research, performance analysis, collateral, screen grabs, pictures, etc.

• Entrants may attach up to 4 files of supporting material • All attached files must be no larger than 2 MB each • Videos should last no longer than three minutes.

This award celebrates organisations that take meaningful steps to improve the financial well-being of their workforce, helping employees achieve greater financial security and confidence.

International Payroll Service Provider of the Year Award The International Payroll Service Provider of the Year award recognises the provider that has demonstrated a clear commitment to delivering compliant, efficient, and high-quality international payroll services. This award will be presented to a provider that has gone above and beyond in customer service, compliance, and service delivery within the last 12 months. Judges will be looking for evidence of a proven track record of providing efficient and compliant payroll services, outstanding customer service, satisfaction, and retention and a commitment to continuous improvement and quality assurance.

Submission (Maximum 1,500 words)

To nominate in this category, provide up to 1,500 words demonstrating evidence of the following:

Team Overview

This section focuses on the payroll team behind the service. Nominees should provide evidence of:

• How the organisation ensures its payroll teams remain up to date on industry standards, regulations, and best practices. Include details of any training and development programmes, how they are measured, and how the impact of this training is reviewed and assessed • How the performance of payroll teams is monitored and managed. Include details of appraisal systems, how performance is tracked, and the measures taken to ensure the effectiveness of these systems • The accreditations the organisation has achieved or is working towards (e.g. Payroll Assurance Scheme, ISO, Investors in People, etc.) • Provide details on the size and structure of the payroll team.

Service Overview

In this section, nominees should outline the following:

• A clear description of the services offered to clients and the target audience served • What sets the service provider apart from competitors in the same market • Ways in which the provider communicates with clients, including the frequency and methods of communication • Examples of how the service provider adds value to clients through best practice initiatives, and helps clients stay up to date with changing legislation • How quality and consistency are maintained across services and regions • Provide insights into how customer feedback is reviewed and how complaints are managed. Along with how customer service, satisfaction, and retention are measured • How the services are regularly reviewed and improved. Discuss how the success of improvements is monitored and measured over time • How changes to services are communicated to clients and the steps taken to ensure maximum benefit is delivered

Nomination Summary Statement (Maximum 150 words)

Provide a brief summary of your entry, highlighting why this organisation should win the award. If your nomination is shortlisted, this summary will be published on the CIPP website, so avoid including sensitive or confidential information.

Testimonials

A maximum of three testimonials should be provided, with judges deducting marks for additional submissions. Testimonials must be:

Supporting Documents

Please attach any relevant support material, including testimonials, research, performance analysis, collateral, screen grabs, pictures, etc.

• Entrants may attach up to 4 files of supporting material. • All attached files must be no larger than 2 MB each. • Videos should last no longer than 3 minutes.

Payroll Service Provider of the Year

Please note this award is solely concerning service providers, there is a separate award category for software providers (see pages 12-15).

To ensure fairness based on the size and complexity of each organisation, the Payroll Service Provider category will be divided using three key questions asked at the start of the submission process, as follows:

1. Number of Payslips per month 2. Number of PAYE references managed 3. Number of operational payroll staff

The judges will finalise the divisions during the judging process to ensure an equitable split.

Organisations turn to service providers to deliver compliant and efficient payroll services within their organisation and this award will be presented to the provider proven to demonstrate commitment to customer service and an effective and compliant payroll service.

Submission (maximum 1,500 words)

To nominate in this category, provide up to 1,500 words showing evidence of the following:

Team Overview

This section highlights the individuals behind payroll and requires nominees to provide evidence of:

• The methods used to keep payroll teams up to date, including training and development initiatives, along with how progress is measured and reviewed • The approach to managing and monitoring team performance, detailing appraisal systems and the processes in place to ensure their effectiveness • Any accreditations held or being pursued by the service provider, such as the Payroll Assurance Scheme, ISO certifications, or Investors in People • The size and structure of the payroll team.

Service Overview

Nominees should use this section to present an overview of:

• The range of services offered, along with details of the target audience they serve • The unique aspects that set the service provider apart from competitors • How client communication is managed, including the frequency and methods used • Any additional value and support provided to clients through best practices, helping them stay updated with legislative changes • The measures in place to ensure quality and consistency of service • The approach to assessing customer service, satisfaction, and retention, including how feedback is reviewed and complaints are handled • The process for reviewing and improving services, as well as how the effectiveness of these improvements is monitored over time • How service changes are communicated to clients to maximize benefits

Nomination summary statement (maximum 150 words)

Briefly summarise your entry and highlight why this organisation should win. If your nomination is shortlisted, this summary will be published on the CIPP website. Please do not therefore include any sensitive or confidential information in the summary.

Testimonials

A maximum of three testimonials should be provided, with judges deducting marks for additional submissions. Testimonials must be:

Supporting documents

Please attach any relevant support material, including testimonials, research, performance analysis, collateral, screen grabs, pictures, etc.

• Entrants may attach up to 4 files of supporting material • All attached files must be no larger than 2 MB each • Videos should last no longer than 3 minutes.

How to submit

The following section details the process of registering to the platform, selecting the awards you would like to apply for, and submitting your nomination.

To begin your submission please visit the CIPP website.

From the CIPP website you will be directed to the Evalato awards platform where you can create and submit your nominations.

After adding the categories, you would like to enter to your basket, the next step is to register.

When registration is complete you will be directed to the submission section to complete your nomination.

Once your nomination is complete and has been submitted, a confirmation email will be issued.

Any further support with this process can be found on the Evalato website here .

Tips for your submission

To give yourself the best chance at winning an Annual Excellence Award, here are a few tips to follow.

Allow plenty of time to complete your nomination

It takes time to put a nomination together, so make sure you improve your chances by allowing plenty of time.

Take the time to consider how clear and concise your entry is to stay within the word limit and give your entry the best chance of standing out to the judges.

Entries must be submitted via the online platform by 30 June 2025.

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Focus on the criteria and evidence

Make sure you meet each of the criteria outlined for the award. Ensure you provide evidence of how you have met the criteria to attain higher scores from the judges. The winning nomination is, quite simply, the nomination with the highest score at the end of the process. You can attach up to four supporting PDF files. But be sure they add to your nomination. Avoid adding unnecessary information that the judges will need to sift through to find your point.

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Have a great summary statement

You should write your summary statement last to be sure it covers everything contained in your nomination.

It needs to be succinct.

Remember, the Annual Excellence Awards get lots of nominations. Use your summary to stand out from the competition.

Frequently asked questions

1. When do submissions close?

The closing date for the CIPP’s Annual Excellence awards is 30 June 2025.

2. If I do not submit in time, can I get an extension?

There will be no extensions available due to the tight schedule for the judging. We will be announcing the shortlist earlier this year to allow more time for bookings for the awards.

3. Can I upload more than three testimonials?

No more than three testimonials should be supplied; the judges will deduct marks for nominations with more than three testimonials.

4. Who are the judges?

The Annual Excellence awards are judged by a selected group of independent judges who work within the payroll industry.

5. What happens once I have submitted my nomination?

• Once your nomination has been submitted a receipt will be issued. After 30 June when the submission deadline has closed the judges will be allocated categories of which they will have two weeks to judge all nominations. • The shortlist will be announced on Thursday 31 July 2025. Feedback will be provided to any nominations which have not been shortlisted. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 2 October 2025.

6. How can I purchase tickets for the awards ceremony?

Tickets can be purchased at any time by contacting enquiries@cipp.org.uk. Bookings close on Friday 12 September 2025.

7. Can I sponsor an award?

Yes, we offer packages for the awards sponsorship, to find out how you can be involved contact Daniel.cull@cipp.org.uk or call 07795 652645.

8. What should I do if I have read the above FAQ’s but still need further information? If you have not found the answer to your question above, please contact the events team on 0121 712 1013 or email events@cipp.org.uk.

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