The Hong Kong HR Awards 2025/26
Empowering Talent and Technology Towards Tomorrow
Returning for its landmark 5th edition, the Awards is once again dedicated to recognising and celebrating the exceptional organisations and visionary individuals who are reshaping the future of people strategy in Hong Kong. As the premier HR awards ceremony in the region, we honour the innovative initiatives and groundbreaking practices that are defining the next generation of workplaces. This is your opportunity to showcase your organisation’s success, celebrate your team’s achievements, and position them at the forefront of industry excellence. Shine a spotlight on your impact.
Previous Year
Award Categories
“MISSION”
This Award recognises organisation that prioritize diversity & recognise the value of an inclusive workplace for both individuals & the organisation, how to create a culture where people are respected, appreciated & feel included.
This Award recognises organisation that has a comprehensive ESG approach & implementations into its HR practices. This is done by the meaningful changes in organisational culture & significant influence of the employee involvement in the ESG initiatives.
This Award recognises organisation with outstanding branding and reputation that attract candidates.
This Award recognises organisation that value the importance of nurturing the future generation. Throughout the integration of innovative HR initiatives and sustainable community initiatives, the younger generation will be able to know more about the industry and hence ultimately achieve the goal of attract and engage quality young talents.
“TECHNOLOGY”
This award recognises an organisation that embraces technologies, data analytics / informatics or digital solutions to help drive better efficiency, productivity, and performance of the HR department and the organisation. The scope of the entry can include the implementation of HR software, AI systems, online training, etc.
This Award recognises organisation who have adopted digital technology to change operational HR & business processes to become automated & data driven. It helps improve communication, collaboration, & access to data analytics of a diverse workforce.
This Award recognises organisation with outstanding performance by collecting data and applying data-driven insights as well as AI technology to improve hiring decisions, workforce processes, and the employee experience.
This Award recognises organisation that adopt innovative and/or tech-driven HR initiatives to provide solutions to problems or challenges faced, and how it was communicated to the workplace for effective implementation with positive impact.
"RECRUITMENT"
This Award recognises the most creative & effective approach in sourcing for candidates through identifying, attracting, assessing & selecting the right candidates, in response to the changes in organizational talent needs & external market conditions.
This Award recognizes the organisation that sets the standard for the candidate journey, achieving exceptional satisfaction and strengthening its talent pipeline through a superior hiring experience.
This Award recognises the best overseas talent attraction campaign executed for the local market, demonstrating excellence and innovation in its design, execution, and hiring impact.
This Award recognizes the organisation that have implemented innovative and transformative approaches to the hiring process, providing candidates with a unique, engaging, and meaningful experience.
"PEOPLE"
This Award recognises organisation that have adopted a holistic approach to employee engagement & demonstrated agility in fulfilling the changing needs of their employees at all levels as well as ensuring alignment with wider business objectives.
This Award recognises organisation that have implemented employee-centric initiatives to improve their employees’ working experience, to motivate performance by connecting individuals career goals with company goals.
This Award recognises outstanding training & development initiatives, programs &/or strategies that have been implemented by an organisation to develop its current talents & to effectively equip them to achieve the organization’s strategic objectives.
This Award recognises organisation that have implemented exceptional programs, initiatives, or strategies to foster employee recognition, development, and growth, contributing to a positive and engaging work environment.
This Award recognises the HR team for their unparalleled performance in successfully implementing a strategic new initiative. Their work has set a new benchmark for innovation, directly contributed to company expansion, and created a blueprint for success that inspires other departments to follow. They have solidified their status as the premier strategic partner.
This Award recognises an original, people-focused initiative that creatively connected and energized our workforce, boosting morale, collaboration, and a profound sense of belonging.
This Award recognises a breakthrough program that unlocked employee potential through novel learning or growth experiences, directly strengthening our organisational capability and future readiness.
"LEADERSHIP"
This Award recognises excellence in an organisation's ability to set a compelling vision and plan, implement, and manage changes in the people aspect of a major organisational programme.
This Award recognises organisation’s initiatives to build a coaching & mentoring culture; bringing out the best in their people around & drive development, retention & efficiency in the workforce through effective coaching & mentoring strategies.
This Award recognises the HR team whose visionary and empowering approach profoundly inspired their team, driving exceptional cultural change and achieving transformative business results.
This Award recognises organisation that have implemented comprehensive and strategic talent mobility and reskilling programs, effectively developing and deploying their workforce to adapt to changing business needs and market conditions.
"WELLNESS"
This Award recognises outstanding strategies and initiatives that promote and embed well-being of the workforce, achieving higher level employee happiness and fulfillment and practicing work safe behavior in their workplace that has impacted the overall business performance.
This Award recognizes organisation who has created a safe, flexible, collaborative & empowering hybrid workplace that accommodates both the employee, employer & maintains the company culture.
This Award recognises organisation who has proactively role modeled inclusive and respectful behaviors in their workplace.
This Award recognises organisation for implementing impactful strategies that prioritize employee mental and physical health, cultivating a workplace where people thrive.
"RECRUITMENT FIRM"
This award recognises recruitment firms with creativity, effectiveness, market insight & innovation in providing outstanding service to clients.
This award recognises recruitment firms with outstanding performance in specialised fields, the entrants demonstrated top-notch creativity and innovation and the application of market insights to provide the best service of specialized field to clients.
"TEAM & INDIVIDUAL"
This Award recognises HR teams has successfully implemented a new project, innovation, strategy or initiative not more than twelve calendar months ago that contributed to the growth of the company.
This award recognises HR individuals who have improved HR practices with innovative ideas. It aims to position the HR function as an effective strategic business partner that contributes to the success & achievement of the organization’s business strategy & goals.
This Award recognises the HR Teams from NGO sector with creativity, effectiveness, market insight & innovation in providing outstanding service to organisations.
"SPECIAL AWARD"
This Award recognises the non-winners from all the award categories that have contributed to the continued growth of the organisation. The criteria and scoring will base on S.M.A.R.T. objective of management.
This Award recognizes innovative HR technology solutions services providers that have had a significant and measurable impact on an organization's ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent, while also improving overall HR efficiency and effectiveness.
This Award recognises the best employers in Hong Kong. The winners will be 100% determined by a unique blending of the votes of employees & the general public. Nominees in this category are composed of the finalists from all the award categories.
This Award recognises the most popular employers in Hong Kong. The winners will be 100% determined by total job application numbers of top 10 industry via JobsDB Hong Kong portal within the eligibility period.
"APAC AWARD"
This Award recognises organisations that have executed one or more exceptional talent acquisition campaigns across the APAC region. It celebrates excellence and innovation in campaign design, strategic execution, and measurable hiring impact. Award-winning organisations will be those that have successfully attracted top-tier talent in multiple competitive markets, empowering local teams while fostering a cohesive, high-performance regional culture—proving themselves as definitive employers of choice in APAC.
Judging Process and Criteria
Dr. Kelvin C.H. Cheng, Section Head of the Careers and Placement Section, Student Affairs Office of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Kelvin has over 20 years of experience in higher education, he specializes in career development strategies and programme management. Kelvin is dedicated to empower students to discover and embark upon impactful careers through the provision of experiential learning, mentoring and networking opportunities.
He has established strong connections and trusted partnership with employers and industry partners worldwide, fostering collaborations that enhance students' educational experiences and career readiness. His extensive network and deep understanding of various industries enable him to effectively bridge the gap between academic learning and practical workforce demands.
In his role, Kelvin develops innovative strategies that align student development across diverse backgrounds, ensuring high service quality by creating synergy between the Student Affairs Office and other academic and non-academic units. His leadership empowers students to pursue meaningful careers while making a positive societal impact. He consistently advocates for innovation in career services, aiming to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving global job market. Through his efforts, Kelvin helps nurture future-ready graduates prepared to meet upcoming challenges and seize new opportunities.
Mr. Kenneth Koo, Director, Talent Acquisition of Micron Technology
Kenneth is a seasoned talent acquisition leader with over 15 years of experience across Southeast Asia and North Asia. Kenneth brings a multicultural lens to his work, enriching his approach to building inclusive and high-performing teams. Currently serving as the Country Head of Talent Acquisition for Singapore at Micron Technology, Kenneth also leads executive hiring across Asia.
He is widely recognized for his expertise in mid-to-senior level recruitment and executive search, and for scaling talent strategies that support business transformation. Kenneth’s leadership is grounded in a growth mindset and a deep belief in the power of potential. He champions a skills-first approach to hiring—prioritizing capabilities over credentials—and is passionate about creating environments where individuals can thrive through internal mobility, career development, and meaningful employee experiences. As a forward-thinking advocate for innovation in HR, Kenneth actively explores the use of AI to simplify hiring processes and bridge generational gaps in the workforce. His collaborative spirit extends beyond the workplace, where he engages with academic and industry leaders to foster mentorship, learning, and inclusive talent ecosystems.
Ms Angie Sung, Head of Human Resources of CLPe
Angie is an all-rounded HR leader with more than 20 years of experience working in sizable and multi-national organisations in Hong Kong and Australia. Expertise in Business Partnering, HR Strategies, Organization & Leadership Development, Talent & Graduate Programs, Succession Planning and Change Management.
Currently taking the role as the Head of HR & Admin of CLPe overseeing the whole HR and Business Support functions in Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland, reporting to the Managing Director of CLPe. At the same time, being an Executive Committee member to involve in key decision making and drive business growth. Angie has a Master degree in HR Management and Executive Certificate in Sustainability. She is also an accredited coach and certified trainer.
Ms Elaine Cheung, General Manager, Human Resources of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
Elaine is a seasoned human resources leader with a distinguished track record spanning talent acquisition, employer branding, talent and leadership development, organizational culture, policy formulation, and compliance. With deep expertise across both commercial and public sectors, she brings strategic insight and operational excellence to every facet of HR management.
As General Manager of Human Resources at West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WestK), Elaine plays a critical role in one of the world’s most ambitious cultural infrastructure projects—an iconic development covering 40 hectares of reclaimed land in Hong Kong. This landmark initiative integrates arts and education with open spaces, hospitality, commercial, residential, and lifestyle experiences. Her leadership in workforce planning, people strategy, and culture shaping has been instrumental in building a dynamic and future-ready talent ecosystem that supports the vision of a vibrant cultural hub.
Prior to her current role, Elaine held senior HR management positions at leading organizations including AsiaWorld-Expo Management Ltd., Belden Asia (Hong Kong) Ltd., Unisys China/Hong Kong Ltd., and Merck Sharp & Dohme (China). Her cross-industry experience and people-first approach have earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor and transformational leader in the HR field.
Ms Fanny Lau, Director – Human Resources of New World Development & K11 Hong Kong
Fanny has over 24 years of HR experience across consulting and in house leadership roles. She has advised hundreds of companies on HR operations, organisational development, recruitment, performance management, and learning and development. Her background also includes corporate strategy work and leading M&A projects.
With regional experience in Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, Singapore, Vietnam, and broader Southeast Asia, she brings strong cross market insight to talent and organisational challenges.
Fanny joined New World Development in 2020 and currently serves as Head of Human Resources and Administration for New World Development and K11 Hong Kong, overseeing people strategy, HR operations, and administration functions.
Ms Karllen Yang, Regional General Manager – South China of Zhaopin
Karllen has 20 years of experience in the human resources industry and 10 years of experience in large team management. She has professional qualifications in Human Resources, Labor Relations Coordination, Career Planner, and outstanding professional in the human resources service industry.
She has led a team to provide human resources services for well-known enterprises such as Tencent, WeChat, Alibaba, Huawei, BYD, China Merchants Bank, China Southern Airlines, China Southern Power Grid, CATL, and Anta.
Ms Intan Shahira Mohammed Shahru, Chief People Officer of AirAsia Group
Intan currently holds the position of Chief People Officer for AirAsia Group, and brings over 20 years of experience within the Human Resources function under her belt. Graduating from the University of Wollongong with a Bachelor of Commerce, complemented by a double major in Law and Management, Intan’s academic foundation has fortified her experiences in the corporate world.
Additionally, her decade long involvement as a Management Consultant with KornFerry, followed by 6 years as the Director of Strategic Human Capital at the Central Bank of Malaysia has given her substantial understanding in her field of expertise.
In her 6 years as a key figure within AirAsia Group, Intan embraces the profound quote by Sheryl Sandberg, former Chief Operating Officer of Meta Platforms, “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence, and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” Intan’s guiding philosophy, “You do you. You are a version of yourself, and not a copy of someone else,” accentuates her approach as both a leader and a mother to three children.
Ms Jasmine Lee, Managing Partner, Hong Kong and Macau of Ernst & Young (EY)
Jasmine oversees all aspects of business operations of EY in Hong Kong and Macau. With more than three decades of experience in providing assurance and advisory services to a broad range of local and multinational corporations, Jasmine’s clientele is spread across industries. Jasmine advises senior management executives of leading enterprises and banking institutions on their business growth and innovation strategies, offering advice on topics such as strategy formulation, risk assessment, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance and operational transformation.
Jasmine is an Executive Committee Member of the Guangdong Provincial Women’s Federation. She also serves as an appointed member of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Securities and Futures Commission Process Review Panel, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority Process Review Panel, the Air Transport Licensing Authority, the Resolution Compensation Tribunal, and the Investment Task Force of the Construction Industry Council. Additionally, Jasmine is a Non-official Non-executive Director of the Urban Renewal Authority Board and the Chairman of the Accountancy Training Board of the Vocational Training Council.
Jasmine is the Vice President of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the President of the Association of Women Accountants (Hong Kong). She also holds council member positions at the Hong Kong Association of Registered Public Interest Entity Auditors, and the Hong Kong Management Association.
As a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), Jasmine actively collaborates with various organizations to raise awareness within the workplace. These initiatives aim to inspire like-minded individuals and organizations to build supportive networks in Hong Kong, emphasizing the values of DE&I in society.
Ms Joy Xu, Group Chief People & Culture Officer of DFI Retail Group
Joy was appointed Group Chief People & Culture Officer in August 2023, responsible for leading DFI’s People & Culture and operationalise its ambitious People & Culture Strategy across all functional areas, formats and banners in all markets. Joy brings 30 years of international expertise in HR leadership roles across the globe, having worked in the US, China, UAE, Germany and Hong Kong. She previously held leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, Sandoz (formerly a Novartis company) and Manulife.
Joy has received various international awards for her contributions to HR, including being named a Global Rising Star by Global Women Forum in 2007 and 2008. She was honoured with an HR Excellence award by World HRD Congress in 2010 and named one of the 501 Most Fabulous Global HR leaders by the same organisation in 2020. In 2022, she received the Imergey Luminary Award and in 2024 and 2025, she was named one of Asia’s Most Inspirational Women in Leadership by House of Rose Professional.
Joy holds a bachelor’s degree in applied English from the South China University of Technology and a postgraduate degree in organisational leadership from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
Ms Katy Fok, Chief Human Resources Officer of PURE International
Katy Fok is an accomplished HR leader with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and luxury retail sectors. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong passion for fostering collaborative cultures and driving employee engagement.
Katy currently serves as Chief Human Resources Officer at PURE International, where she aligns people strategies with organizational goals across multiple regions. Previously, she was Director of Human Resources at both Regent Hong Kong and Kerry Hotel, where she built the HR function from the ground up, successfully supported the launch of both hotels, and continued to oversee HR operations for several years post opening. She also served as Assistant Vice President of Human Resources at Shangri-La Group, overseeing the Hong Kong and Taiwan regions.
Katy holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Hawai‘i Pacific University. She thrives in fast paced environments and is committed to achieving impactful, people centric results, with a particular passion for operations in the service industry.
Ms Ravinder Kaur, Cluster Head – Human Resources, Southeast Asia of Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting
To be advised soon
Ms Stacy Liao, Head of People - Human Resources Department of China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited
Stacy is currently the Head of People at China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited, pioneering organization and talent strategies that propel sustainable business growth. With over 16 years of dedicated experience in human resources, she has consistently demonstrated leadership across the entire HR spectrum, from talent acquisition and leadership development to innovative compensation frameworks and employer branding.
Stacy's career is defined by her ability to translate business objectives into high-impact people initiatives, positioning her as a true driving force behind organizational excellence. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and a Master of Philosophy in Human Resource Management.
Ms Tania Chan, MD, Human Resources of China Merchants Bank International
Tania has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector across Asia. Currently serving as MD, Human Resources at China Merchants Bank International in Hong Kong, she oversees talent acquisition, succession planning, and various HR initiatives. Tania previously held roles at JPMorgan for 11 years where she was head of front office recruiting for Corporate and Investment Banking, Wealth Management, and Asset Management across Asia Pacific, partnering closely with senior business leaders in driving recruitment strategies and business objectives.
Her earlier career includes executive search consulting and HR generalist roles at Morgan Stanley where she developed expertise in recruitment, employee relations, and organizational development.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Education from University of California, Berkeley. Beyond her professional achievements, Tania is committed to mentorship and community engagement, volunteering with the Chinese International School Alumni Group, as well as HKU MBA Mentorship Program. She has also pursued further education in Hong Kong employment law and workplace issues, reflecting her dedication to fostering inclusive and compliant work environments.
Enrollment Details & Timeline
1
Starting from TODAY
Stage 1/ Nomination Organisations & individuals to recognise the best HR practitioners by submitting one or more nominations.
2
15 December 2025
Stage 2/ Submission All nominated parties will be required to provide a proposal that demonstrates how they fulfil the criteria.
3
19 January – 7 February 2026
Stage 3/ Scoring A judging panel comprises of HR directors & industry leaders will review the submissions for scoring. 30% of the final results will be determined by public voting.
4
9 – 13 February 2026
Stage 4/ Result Announcement Submissions with the top scores in each category will win
5
18 March 2026
Stage 5/ Awards Ceremony All winners will be announced & celebrated at the highly anticipated gala dinner.
6
March – May 2026
Stage 6/ Post-event Highlights Through-the-line publicity plan will be carried out in order to arouse public awareness.
Sponsoring Partners
Supporting Organisation:
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Contact Us
Here’s where you can find us: T: +852 2332 8832 (9:00 – 18:00, Mon – Fri) E: [email protected]