PZ Cussons has won two awards at the 2026 CIPD People Management Awards in London: Best Change Management Initiative and Best Employee Experience Initiative. The awards recognise the impact of a cohesive people strategy, helping colleagues and leaders connect with PZ Cussons’ strategic direction, navigate significant change and understand their role in delivering sustainable growth. All supported by the sponsorship of our Executive Committee and ‘Pioneers’ extended leadership team.
The Best Employee Experience Initiative award recognises a more consistent colleague experience focused on belonging, development, voice and wellbeing. Informed by employee listening, the work included the ‘Dare. Discover. Do.’ employee value proposition, onboarding, employee resource groups including the ‘EmpowHER’ women’s network, wellbeing days, mentoring and greater visibility of benefits. Judges praised its “consistency, integration and discipline”, describing it as “a wonderfully structured initiative that was grounded in the real-life experience of the workforce”.
In the 2026 global engagement survey, 97% of colleagues took part, with a separate measure of alignment with organisational strategy reaching 83%; nine percentage points above the benchmark.
The Best Change Management Initiative award reflects the support provided during the Group’s transformation between 2023 and 2026. As the business simplified its portfolio, reshaped the organisation and focused on four lead markets, the programme combined a clear employee value proposition and global leadership framework with leadership development, mentoring and practical change support. Judges highlighted its “clear shift from leadership theory to behavioural application” and called it “a positive example of responding to an external market event with a purpose-driven strategic change programme”.
Cath Bailey, Chief People Officer, said:
“I’m really proud of our global People team and everyone across PZ Cussons who has contributed to this work. Helping colleagues connect with our strategy while navigating significant business change required strong leadership, energy and commitment. These awards are fantastic recognition of what we have achieved together.”
The CIPD People Management Awards recognise outstanding work and impact across the people profession.
Find out more about the CIPD People Management Awards.