THE South East Wales branch of the CIPD (Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development), the professional body for HR and people development, recognised the achievement of eight students from universities and colleges across South Wales, at its annual dinner last week.

The awards acknowledge the achievement of students who have been nominated by their course tutors to receive 'Branch Student of the Year Awards'.

Undergraduate, postgraduate and those attending on day-release on the professional courses are all eligible to be considered for the awards.

The prizes were sponsored by Anna Denton-Jones, of Refreshing Law Limited, who presented them along with Frank Douglas, a CIPD non-executive board member.

Tenby's Rachel Cook from Cardiff Business School was one of the recipients of the 'Branch Student of the Year Awards' on the evening. Rachel, of Little Rock House, is currently studying for her Master's Degree in Human Resource Management at Cardiff University.

At the branch annual meeting held ahead of the dinner and awards, Lesley Richards stepped down as chair of CIPD South East Wales to continue her work with the CIPD in developing its three Welsh branches, guiding and driving policy for their 4,000 members.

The new CIPD South East Wales chair is Nerissa Williams, who runs an independent HR consultancy in Bridgend.