Top UK employers have had their achievements recognised at the DWF Employer Awards 2008.

The HR awards ceremony, which took place at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester this week, honour best practice in HR and are open to all employers throughout the UK. The entrants are judged by a panel consisting of representatives from the sponsors and law firm DWF.

Winners from this year included Deloitte, Iceland Foods, and Kent County Council.

Andrew Leaitherland, managing partner at DWF, said: “Now in their third year, the awards have become an established event in the HR calendar and a showcase for best practice and innovation. The judges were looking for initiatives which have made a real, measurable difference to an organisation.

“This year once again they were not disappointed. We have seen some outstanding examples of HR practice. We are delighted to be able to highlight these and share them with others for the benefit of the whole industry.”

The winners from the night were:

Best Practice in Diversity and Equal Opportunities
Deloitte

Excellence in Risk Management
The Casey Group Ltd

Excellence in Managing the People Aspect of Change
Biwater Treatment Ltd

Distinction in Employee Training
Iceland Foods Ltd

Partnerships in Business
The Co-operative Financial Services

Best Employee Benefits Communications
Kent County Council

Innovation in Recruitment
JD Williams

HR Team of the Year
Iceland Foods Ltd

Inspiring Leadership
Derek Robertson, chief executive of Groundwork Merseyside