The 2026 shortlist is here!

Now in its 36th consecutive year, the RAD Awards champion the very best in employer branding, recruitment marketing and people communications. Agencies in partnership with their clients, as well as in-house teams, enter their most innovative and effective solutions from the past year.

Entries into the 2026 Awards are now closed and the shortlist has been announced. You can still view the 19 categories, criteria and entry info in the entry guide.

Entries are judged by an annually updated panel of industry experts, before the finalists are revealed in late November and winners are announced in January.

The RAD Awards 2026 will take place on 29 January 2026. The ceremony will be held in the glamorous Great Room of the Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s exclusive Park Lane. The evening will consist of a sparkling drinks reception, three-course menu, celebrity entertainment, awards ceremony and after-party.

We’ll see you there!

Why attend the RADS?

Be inspired
The RADS showcase the most innovative and effective solutions in employer branding and recruitment marketing. Come away energised and with learnings you can apply to your own organisation.

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The networking opportunity of the year!
Mingle with key decision makers or impress clients at this glamorous black tie event held at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane, which has hosted renowned events such as the BAFTAs and the Pride of Britain Awards.

Join the RADS community
The industry’s best will be in attendance, shouldn’t that include you? The RADS has brought together the crème de la crème of recruitment advertising and employer branding for over three decades. Make sure you’re part of this special night.

Let us entertain you!
The RADS are a perfect opportunity to reward your team with a great night out. Enjoy our drinks reception, three-course dinner menu and fabulous celebrity entertainment. Congratulate the industry’s best during the awards ceremony, and dance the night away at the after party.

Find out more about the 2025 winners

KraftHeinz gets the mix just right

After a merger, the food and beverage giant needed to clarify its brand and culture, so undertook an ambitious global campaign.

Cornerstone sparks engagement with its metaverse event

The software company brought together thousands of remote employees from around the world in a virtual experience.

KPMG gets personal with a diverse pool of candidates

The consulting firm reached out to new audiences with meaningful in-person experiences.

LEGO Group builds insights through targeted research

The company developed a framework that informed a successful refresh of its Just Imagine employer brand.

A&O Shearman breaks down barriers through storytelling campaign

The law firm reached out to new early careers audiences via a range of platforms, showcasing the career journeys of diverse lawyers.

Sanofi creates community with influencer programme

The healthcare company built a team of influencers to amplify its employer brand across the globe.

RWE brings energy to life with renewables campaign

The energy company captured employees’ enthusiasm for offshore wind generation, showcasing future careers in energy.

Curiosity blooms for careers at the National Trust

The heritage organisation cultivated a compelling campaign that straddled its history and future.

LEGO builds impact with small but powerful team

The team at LEGO has amplified its actions through toolkits, ambassadors and industry advocates.

Soho House captures engaging but exclusive in stylish film

The members’ club’s video communicates the essence of its brand through an employee-centric film campaign.

Indeed opens itself up to refugee talent

Project Sunflower created a series of careers fairs aimed at supporting the specific needs of refugees seeking to enter employment.

Babcock broadens career horizons for service leavers

The engineering company expands its efforts to recruit ex-services personnel and has become an employer of choice for military candidates.

R;pple’s Life Jacket opens up vital conversations

Suicide prevention charity R;pple used a striking jacket to prompt employers and their staff to learn more about discussing this important issue.

Dunelm offers a homely welcome to potential recruits

The home retailer gave its employer website a new sense of belonging through personalisation and relevant content.

King gets playful with social media strategy

The games company drew on vibrant employee stories to build its presence across Instagram and LinkedIn.

easyJet gets on board with a vibrant cabin crew campaign

Faced with a recruitment challenge after the pandemic, the airline looked to its core culture to build a successful campaign.

The Met Office puts the world in candidates’ hands

Its ‘world-changing work’ campaign not only met application targets, it increased pride in the brand.

CyberFirst Girls reaches out to the next generation of experts

The campaign was aimed at pupils, teachers and parents and drove up female participation in cyber-focused schemes.

BA’s Speedbird Z platform allows a new generation to take flight

The Connectr platform integrates seamlessly with BA’s careers site and ATS, helping to build a diverse pool of early talent.

The archive

Within the archive you can find out more about previous RADS finalists and winners.

Join the RAD Awards mailing list

To get updates about the RAD Awards including deadlines, shortlist and winner announcements, click the button below.

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RAD Awards are the most credible, historic and sought-after awards to win!

Fin O'Kane
Fin O'Kane
CEO
Wiser
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The RAD Awards raise the benchmark for recruitment marketing every year, which is testament to the quality of entries, thoroughness of the judging and glam of the actual ceremony.

It really is the biggest event in the industry calendar!

Manj Azizul
Manj Azizul
President & Co-founder
Pink Squid
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After 35 years the RADS remains the premier event for our industry, combining the best work, the best range of categories and of course, the best night out in the calendar!

Gavin Anderson
Gavin Anderson
Group Managing Director
ThirtyThree