7 Reasons Why Your Organisation Should Enter The Investors in People Awards 2026

Written by Investors in People

Article Summary

  • Allows organisations to celebrate their people and recognise those who make a real impact.
  • Providing a platform to showcase the results of investing in people, from wellbeing and leadership to engagement and development.
  • The awards help organisations gain recognition, strengthen employer brand, and benchmark progress while being part of a wider community improving workplaces.

Great workplaces don’t happen by accident and deserve recognition. 

Every year, The Investors in People Awards celebrate organisations and individuals who are creating outstanding places to work, from inspiring leaders and people teams to organisations building cultures where people can thrive. 

Across sectors and industries, organisations are finding new ways to support their people, develop leadership and create environments where individuals can perform at their best. The Investors in People Awards shine a light on those efforts and celebrate the organisations leading the way. 

Whether you’re a small business, a third sector community, or a global organisation, The Investors in People Awards are open to anyone committed to building a better workplace. 

Here are seven reasons why entering The Investors in People Awards 2026 could benefit your organisation. 

Seven reasons why your company should enter

1. Celebrate the people who make your organisation great 

Behind every successful organisation are people who care deeply about what they do. 

The Investors in People Awards recognise the individuals and teams who shape workplace culture, support others and help organisations succeed. 

From inspiring leaders to dedicated employees and outstanding people teams, entering the awards gives organisations the chance to celebrate the people who make the biggest difference. 

For many organisations, being recognised through the awards becomes a powerful moment of pride for their teams. 

2. Showcase the impact of investing in your people 

Many organisations are doing remarkable work when it comes to supporting their people. 

Whether you are focusing on: 

  • employee wellbeing 
  • leadership development 
  • diversity and inclusion 
  • employee engagement 
  • learning and development 
  • apprenticeships 
  • ESG initiatives 

The Investors in People Awards provide a platform to share how your organisation is supporting its people and shaping its workplace culture. Entering allows you to highlight the thinking, effort and commitment behind the initiatives that make your workplace great. 

Organisations that invest in their people often see meaningful change. 

  • Stronger engagement. 
  • Better leadership. 
  • Greater resilience. 
  • More confident teams 
  • Higher performance. 

These awards are a chance to show how your organisation is turning intention into impact. 

3. Gain recognition that reflects your commitment  

Recognition through The Investors in People Awards highlights organisations that are committed to understanding and developing their people practices. It demonstrates that your organisation is actively engaging with this process and taking steps to build a workplace where people can perform, grow and succeed. 

For organisations recognised through the awards, that recognition carries real credibility with employees, partners, and stakeholders. 

 4. Strengthen your employer brand 

In today’s competitive talent market, culture matters more than ever. Recognition through The Investors in People Awards shows that your organisation values its people and is committed to creating a positive workplace experience. 

Being shortlisted or winning can help organisations: 

  • attract talented candidates 
  • retain great people 
  • strengthen internal pride and engagement 
  • demonstrate commitment to people practices 

 It sends a clear message: your people matter. 

`

The Investors in People Awards celebrate organisations and individuals who are making work better.

If you’re investing in your people and creating a workplace where individuals thrive, this is your moment to be recognised and celebrated.

Enter The Investors in People Awards 2026 today and be recognised for the difference you’re making.

 5. Reflect on your progress as an organisation 

Preparing an awards entry often gives organisations the opportunity to step back and reflect. It is a chance to look at how your organisation has developed, what initiatives have made a difference and how your people experience the workplace. 

Many organisations find the process of entering valuable, helping them recognise achievements and identify areas for future development. 

Download the Awards Entry Guide to explore the categories, understand the judging criteria and how to prepare a submission. 

6. Benchmark your organisation against others 

The Investors in People Awards bring together organisations from across sectors and industries. This diversity makes the awards a unique opportunity to see how your organisation compares with others who are also investing in their people. 

Categories recognise organisations of different sizes and contexts, ensuring workplaces of all types have the opportunity to be recognised. 

7. Be part of a community raising the standard for work 

The Investors in People Awards are part of a wider global community focused on improving work for people everywhere. Through the awards, organisations share ideas, celebrate success, and inspire others to invest more in their people. 

By entering, you help showcase what great workplaces look like and contribute to raising the standard for work. 

Who can enter?

The Investors in People Awards are open to all organisations (and individuals for our Individual Awards), including: 

  • private sector businesses 
  • public sector organisations 
  • charities and third sector organisations 
  • international employers 
  • organisations accredited with Investors in People 
  • organisations entering the awards for the first time 

If your organisation is committed to supporting its people and building a great workplace, these awards are for you. 

Not sure whether the Investors in People Awards are right for your organisation? 

Ready to share your story? 

With more than 20 award categories, there are opportunities to recognise excellence across organisations, employers and individuals. 

Entries for The Investors in People Awards 2026 are now open. 

About Investors in People

Investors in People have been working with a huge range of big and small organisations from Public Sectors, SMEs, Charities, PLCs and anything in between for over 30 years. We have accredited more than 50,000 organisations and our  accreditation is recognised in 66 countries around the world, making it the global benchmark when it comes to people management. So we know we speak your language and can offer the specific kind of support and guidance your organisation needs.

Share to:

14th Nov 2023 | Old Billingsgate, London

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST TO RECEIVE NEW ARTICLES

MAKE WORK BETTER

Attract Top Talent.
Boost Business Growth.
Get Recognition.

Discover how we can assess your organisation against established benchmarks to improve your business performance.

INVESTORS IN PEOPLE EVENTS

Our calendar of webinars and live events has something for everyone. Browse our upcoming events and let us guide you to a better workplace for your people.

Related Articles

START YOUR ACCREDITATION JOURNEY

Ready to make work better? Complete the form below and one of our team will be in touch to discuss your accreditation enquiry.

Never Miss an Update!

Stay informed with the latest resources, research and news from Investors in People, as well as practical tips and real-world success stories from our community – Subscribe today! 

Thanks | #MAKEWORKBETTER

START YOUR ACCREDITATION JOURNEY

Ready to make work better? Complete the form below and one of our team will be in touch to discuss your accreditation enquiry.