Connectr Awards 2025

Some of you may remember last year's ‘Mentor Awards’. This year we’re going bigger and better, extending our awards from Connectr Mentors to our partners and collaborators.

This year there will be 7 award categories (plus a secret bonus award to be announced on the night! 👀):

• Brand Ambassador of the Year
• Mentor of the Year
• Early Careers Champion
• Content Innovation Award
• Candidate Experience Award
• Preboarding Excellence Award
• Connectr's Choice Award

We've sought out a panel of experienced talent acquisition and early careers professionals to judge our expanded awards categories this year. Our judges will be looking at both individual contributors and innovative platform use cases to find the best and brightest from this years nominees, a tough job!

Our 2025 judges:

Kate Ross, Global Head of Early Careers at Nokia
‍Toby Horner - Assoc CIPD, Early Talent Acquisition Manager, Clifford Chance‍
Lucy Hegarty, Head of Recruitment (EMEA) at GSK
‍Philip H., Next Generation Talent Consultant Lloyds Banking Group‍
Sally Scott, Talent Capability Director Skanska
Martyn Scott FCIPD, Head of Early Careers & Learning Costain Group PLC
‍Joan Moore, Global Early Careers Director Sage‍
Lindsey Beer, HR Director, Talent, Learning & Culture Thales
‍Talia King, Managing Director Connectr Talent Technology

Categories & Nominees:

🏆 Brand Ambassador of the Year

For Connectr platform ambassadors and champions, who have gone above and beyond to support and inspire candidates, championing their employer brand.

Shortlisted Nominees-

• Charlie Close, Learning & Development Business Partner, Vertas
• Ellie Mayall, Senior Associate, Financial Conduct Authority
• Louis Hammond-Boulter, Heathrow Cabin Crew, British Airways
• Holly Evans, BSM to MD of Mortgage Intermediaries, Lloyds Banking Group

🏆 Mentor/Buddy of the Year‍

For Connectr platform Mentors/Buddies on employee mentoring or preboarding platforms delivering support that fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion with both new and/or existing colleagues.

Shortlisted Nominees

• James Walters, Integrator, Lloyds Banking Group
• Isabella Price, Food Business Graduate, Marks & Spencer
• Yusaf Mahmood, DTI Graduate, Financial Conduct Authority
• Zahra Syed, Systems Engineer, Thales
• Aley Macnaughton, Commercial Business Graduate, British Airways

🏆 Early Careers Champion

Ambassadors specifically supporting young people (school to university) who demonstrate exceptional support for early-stage talent, building employer reputation and translating the world of work.

Shortlisted Nominees

• Jade White, Veterinary Surgeon, Medivet
• Kieran Barry, Senior Associate - Regulatory, Financial Conduct Authority
• Patrick Mosely, Business Professional Apprentice, British Airways
• Luke Lyons, Finance Manager, Lloyds Banking Group
• Jasmine Baines, R&D Labratory Science (Biology) Apprentice, GSK

🏆 Content Innovation Award

For teams with the most creative, engaging or effective content setup on Connectr platforms. Where content is tailored to target audience(s), dynamic, interactive and considerate of feedback.

Shortlisted Nominees

• Thales - Armed Forced Community
• Lloyds Banking Group - Faster Forward
• Marks & Spencer - Life at M&S
• GSK - Get Ahead
• Accenture - Early Talent

🏆 Candidate Experience Award

For teams with the best examples of informative and engaging candidate experiences through Connectr, with evidence of meeting the goal of nurturing talent and building a quality pipeline.

Shortlisted Nominees

• AtkinsRéalis - Early Careers
• British Airways - Speedbird Z
• Thales - Future Talent
• Marks & Spencer - Life at M&S

🏆 Preboarding Excellence Award

For teams with seamless, engaging preboarding journeys and a purposeful use of Connectr features to improve confidence and readiness, and reduce admin time.

Shortlisted Nominees

• AtkinsRéalis - AtkinsRéalis Start
• Financial Conduct Authority - Shape your future
• Cisco - Pathways Work Experience
• Thales - Early Careers