The Society’s Division of Occupational Psychology has announced this year’s annual award winners. The four awards celebrate and promote excellence in the practice of occupational psychology, the science of people at work.

The Practitioner of the Year award was awarded to Kate Firth, Chartered Occupational Psychologist at Burnham Business Psychology, who redesigned the selection process for a large development programme at Tesco. Kate’s work improved the effectiveness of identifying the best candidates for the programme, and improved the candidates’ experience.

Also commended was Nancy Doyle, Chartered Occupational Psychologist and Managing Director of Genius Within. Working with Microlink, an inclusive disability support service to businesses across the UK, Nancy assisted in the delivery of workplace coaching initiatives to deal with neuro-diversities such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD, and Neuro-trauma. 

Professor Fiona Patterson, Director of Work Psychology Group and Professor at the University of Cambridge, was awarded the Academic Contribution to Practice Award, in recognition of her extensive research focused on optimising practical applications. Fiona has carried out projects improving selection procedures for doctors, as well as many other health care professions. Her work influences recruitment across the NHS, and Fiona has recently been awarded an Honorary Fellowship with the Royal College of General Practice in recognition of her work.

In recognition of his distinguished and diverse career across both academic and practice, Professor Clive Fletcher, has been honoured with the Division’s Lifetime Achievement Award. An Emeritus Professor at Goldsmiths’ College, London, Clive has authored over 200 publications and conference papers, regularly works within the highest levels of Whitehall, and is frequently consulted on issues of national and international importance. He has devoted plentiful time to both the Society and Division: formerly chairing the occupational section, currently leading a review of the profession’s training curriculum, and being awarded Fellowship of the Society at the age of 37. 

The awards were presented at a ceremony at the British Medical Association in London, where members of the Division were invited to celebrate the work of their peers. Speaking at the event was Professor Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, who introduced some of the ways in which new technology may impact and provide opportunities for the future of recruitment.