BUSINESS is about creating great places to work. That is the message from the managing director of a human resources firm who will be choosing this year’s Employer of the Year at the Inspire Business Awards.

For the second year in a row, HR Dept will be finding the winner. Karen Sanders, managing director, said she is already excited for the awards ceremony in November.

“I love being a sponsor of Inspire as I get to meet some great employers of all sizes from small to large organisations and am able to share best practice,” she told The Gazette.

“We are an outsourced HR company and we love nothing more than working with businesses to create great places to work that truly increase the performance of their businesses through their people,” she said.

When asked what she is looking for from potential nominees, she said: “Anything where firms are investing time and money to be better employers gets me excited. I love talking about creating great employers and meeting businesses who are focussed on achieving that provides me with a real buzz.”

The managing director added: “I love to share my knowledge and expertise on how to create great places to work. Doing this alongside local businesses in the community really motivates me.

“The awards ceremony is a great event with unique opportunity to network with existing contacts and new contacts, many with a common goal of trying to be the best they can be.”

Last year the award was won by Tempcover, a firm heralded for its management style and facilities designed to encourage departments to co-operate more. As well as Employer of the Year, the awards will once again be looking for the Apprentice of the Year, which was won by LG Motion last year.

The Inspire Business Awards will take place at the Hampshire Court Hotel, on November 21.

The awards are run by Destination Basingstoke and celebrate local business across north Hampshire.

Nominations are open until September 6.

To enter, visit inspirebusinessawards.co.uk.