The Internal Communications and Engagement Awards will, for the first time, celebrate achievement in internal communications. The inaugural event will take place on 13 May at the Brewery in London. The organisations who have been shortlisted represent the best in class in internal communications across the UK.

For many corporate communications teams, employees are one of their most important audiences. Often cited as an organisation’s most valuable assets, employees are the face of the brand and have the potential to be the most passionate of brand ambassadors. For those companies that communicate effectively with these internal stakeholders, they see benefits not only in terms of engagement, but also on the bottom line.

The shortlisted work represents the impact an effective internal communications strategy can have on a business’ success. Renewi, for one, relied on internal comms to ensure a successful merger with Van Gansewinkel. It has been shortlisted in the ‘Best communication of change or business transformation,’ among other categories. For Nationwide Building Society, internal communications has been an integral part of the business. A fact reflected in its six nominations.

“Communicate magazine has always focused on internal communications in its coverage of stakeholder relations. We’re excited to be able to recognise excellence in internal comms and determine best practice in internal comms strategy,” says Communicate magazine publishing editor Brittany Golob. “Congratulations to all of the companies shortlisted for the Internal Communications and Engagement Awards! You truly set the standard for best in class internal communications.”

The awards are held with the support of the CIPR Inside group, which is recognising three premiere categories – ‘CIPR Inside internal communicator of the year,’ ‘CIPR Inside internal communications team of the year,’ and the ‘Grand prix.’

Winners will be recognised at a celebratory dinner on 13 May at the Brewery. To book your table, click here or call +44 (0)20 3950 5356.

The full shortlist is as follows:

Best internal communications campaign
Community Integrated Care
Herbert Smith Freehills and blue goose
Nationwide Building Society
Nationwide Building Society and Sequel Group
Southwest Airlines and the Team
UCB Pharma and Chamberlain Healthcare PR, a Syneos Health™ Company

Best ongoing commitment to internal communications
Action Against Hunger and Brandworkz
Curo
Genus plc and Sweet Comms
MyCSP 
Rail Safety and Standards Board and Big Button
Slido

Best internal communications campaign across multiple markets
Action Against Hunger and Brandworkz
Essilor and Bladonmore
IMI Precision Engineering and Big Button
UCB Pharma and Chamberlain Healthcare PR, a Syneos Health™ Company

Best communication of change or business transformation
Baker Tilly and Brandworkz
Photobox Group and the Team
RBS and Synergy Creative
Renewi and Wardour
Schroders
Sovereign and Synergy Creative

Best internal communications in a crisis
RBS and Synergy Creative

Best intranet
Curo
Nationwide Building Society
NBS and Interact
Travelex and Interact
Wheatley Group

Best use of mobile or apps
BP and wtv.
RBS and the Team
Sovereign and Synergy Creative
Vesuvius plc and Black Sun plc

Best use of video and animation
Nationwide Building Society (Arthur Webb campaign)
Nationwide Building Society (driving conversations campaign)
Renewi and Wardour
Serco and Big Button
Sovereign and Synergy Creative

Best use of social media
Nationwide Building Society

Best event
Community Integrated Care
Irwin Mitchell
Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust Communications Team
Loughborough University
Schroders

Best internal publication: Print
Cobham and Wardour
Connected magazine, for Drax Group, by Lucy Walton and RED
Nestle UK and Ireland and Sequel Group
ODEON Cinemas Group
Renewi and Wardour
Sir Robert Mcalpine

Best internal publication: Digital
GSK
White & Case and Sequel Group

Best innovation
BP and wtv.
Jaguar Land Rover and DRPG
Sovereign and Synergy Creative

Best alignment of internal communications with external messaging
Action Against Hunger and Brandworkz
Harry Fairclough Construction and Engage Comms Ltd
Pernod Ricard and Bladonmore
SSE Energy Services

Best engagement of brand ambassadors
Baker Tilly and Brandworkz

Best use of storytelling
RBS and Synergy Creative
Sovereign and Synergy Creative

‘CIPR Inside Internal Communicator of the year,’ ‘CIPR Inside Internal Communications Team of the Year’ and the ‘Grand prix’ will be announced on the awards evening.