Bright Horizons

In response to sector-wide staffing challenges, the HR, L&D and OD teams at Horizon – a provider of early years education and care – launched a bold, data-driven strategy to attract, develop and retain talent that wowed the PMAs judges for its “impressive focus on people and investing in their futures”. 

In 2024, the people team designed and launched six progressive talent and development programmes to attract new talent and support seamless internal progression, all complemented by a tailored career coaching provision and an ILM-assured coaching programme, which trained 94 colleagues in 2024 alone.

The programmes are now embedded across all 272 UK settings and aligned to Bright Horizons’ culture of continuous professional development. “They not only attract new talent but also promote retention by offering a fulfilling and clearly defined career journey within Bright Horizons,” the organisation says. 

The education team established a dedicated function to support more than 500 apprentices, building strong, collaborative relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, and as a result apprentice success rates increased from 36.4 per cent in February 2023 to 55 per cent in February 2025. Over the same period, apprentice recruitment rose from 290 to 466, with external recruitment growing by 529 per cent.

From the apprenticeship scheme, 212 colleagues qualified in 2024, up from 116 in 2023. Ultimately, the overarching strategy has led to a 10 per cent reduction in turnover, the return of 220 colleagues to the organisation and a 75 per cent reduction in manager vacancies. The talent development programmes have driven measurable outcomes, including a 16 per cent rise in high-performing nursery managers and a 46 per cent increase in qualified professionals.

The programmes are now a cornerstone of the organisation’s people strategy, playing a vital role in supporting the wider sector through a period of crisis while proactively addressing future workforce needs and safeguarding the long-term success of the business.

The judges described the team as “worthy winners in a tightly contested category”, praising their “clear enthusiasm and passion for their work in a challenging environment”. “From a position five years ago where the only learning was mandatory, they now have an extensive programme of development, partnering with universities and other organisations to help their people be their best for Bright Horizons and the children in their care,” the judges said.