The Awards Showcase is a window into the projects that won, or were runners up, in the 2026 UHR awards. Each session will focus on one award category and bring together the individuals who led and delivered the projects. Presenters will give a quick overview of their projects before having a facilitated conversation about the opportunities and challenges the activity brought about. The audience will get the opportunity to engage directly with the presenters to ask any questions.
WINNERS: Aston University - One Aston Thrive: Employee Experience Platform
Human Resources and Organisational Development Department
One Aston Thrive is Aston University’s unified digital platform that brings together appreciation tools, financial benefits, wellbeing resources, and community content in one accessible, mobile‑friendly place. Launched in October 2025 to replace a previously fragmented experience, it ensures that colleagues across all roles, including those without regular computer access, can easily find support and information when they need it.
A targeted adoption plan, regular communication and strong senior sponsorship, including active involvement from the Vice‑Chancellor, enabled the platform to exceed its early goals, achieving over 80% activation within four months. Automated daily HRIS updates ensure new starters receive timely access, improving onboarding and reducing manual processing.
Engagement has been strong and meaningful. In the first four months, colleagues sent nearly 400 e‑cards, accessed wellbeing resources consistently, and made extensive use of financial benefits. SmartSpending and high‑value schemes generated more than £10k in colleague savings, while salary sacrifice benefits delivered £136.9k in employee savings. In addition, the University realised over £59k in employer NI savings, highlighting the platform’s value for both colleagues and the institution.
Analytics guide evidence‑based improvements, ensuring the platform evolves in line with colleague needs.
Designed around the principles of inclusivity, transparency, and trust, and supported by mobile accessibility, robust data governance, and an opt‑out mechanism, One Aston Thrive strengthens a culture of appreciation, wellbeing, community belonging, and improved access to benefits. It now stands as a flagship element of Aston University’s Great Place to Work ambition and serves as a scalable model for the wider sector.
RUNNERS-UP: University of Salford - HR and Payroll Transformation Programme
HR & Payroll Transformation Project Team
This programme demonstrates how a human centred approach to digital transformation can reshape the colleague experience and strengthen organisational capability. Designed in response to a fragmented and manual HR and Payroll landscape, the project replaced multiple legacy systems with a single, integrated platform covering core HR, Payroll, Recruitment, Absence, Learning, Talent, Helpdesk and Case Management processes.
What made the programme distinctive was the emphasis on behaviour change, engagement and confidence building rather than technology alone. A dedicated project identity, a University wide network of more than 100 change champions, and clear two way communication ensured colleagues understood the change, felt supported and could influence how the model took shape. High quality, mobile enabled training resources provided step by step guidance at any time, helping users quickly adapt to new digital ways of working.
The impact was immediate and sustained: rapid adoption, growing confidence, and a marked shift from manual, local processes to consistent self service transactions. HR capacity is now increasingly focused on higher value activity, supported by real time people data and strengthened governance.
Overall, the programme has delivered not just a system, but a cultural shift - building transparency, capability and a more empowering experience for colleagues across the University.
Tagged : Data and Analytics, Enhancing HR Services, Events, Showcasing Good Practice
Type : Meeting
