SEEK People & Purpose Awards 2025

2025-06-05

The world of work is changing and Malaysia is leading the way. On 4 June 2025, Jobstreet by SEEK hosted the SEEK People & Purpose Awards 2025 at M Resort & Hotel in Damansara. This prestigious event honoured 76 exceptional employers and HR professionals who are reshaping the workplace through innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.

More than just another corporate gathering, the awards brought together over 400 industry leaders to recognise organisations that put people and purpose at the centre of success. Guided by the theme “Empowering Purpose with HR Excellence”, the event highlighted a growing movement toward meaningful, future ready work cultures.

How the Awards Reflect What Malaysian Talent Truly Values

Unlike typical award shows, the SEEK People & Purpose Awards are grounded in real voices and rigorous evaluation. Winners were selected through a nationwide poll conducted by Ipsos Malaysia and assessed by a panel of 16 independent judges. This ensured a fair and balanced view of what employees across Malaysia truly appreciate in their employers.

Results from the survey revealed the top three workplace drivers for Malaysians which is competitive compensation, career development, and work-life balance. In today’s competitive job market, these insights are invaluable for employers looking to attract and retain top talent.

The awards featured three main categories:

Top-Voted Employers: Based on public opinion
Submission-Based Awards: Judged by a panel
People & Purpose Excellence Awards: Recognising employer branding success

Together, these pillars form a comprehensive view of what modern workforce excellence looks like.

Meet the Game Changers Innovation

These standout winners didn’t just tick boxes, they redefined the role of HR in business.

Top-Voted Employers

Thirty organisations earned this title by winning the hearts of Malaysian employees. Companies like CIMB, AEON, CelcomDigi, and Petrosains were praised for creating supportive and empowering work environments.

Best Sustainable HR Practices

CIMB (Platinum) and IOI Properties (Bronze) demonstrated how to embed sustainability into HR strategy. While CIMB leads with a structured roadmap and digital transformation, IOI focuses on long-term people development. Interestingly, Zupresso adopted a more agile, tech-centric approach, proving that diverse strategies can achieve similar outcomes.

Best Employee Development Programme

Shell earned the Silver award for investing deeply in workforce growth. Through initiatives like the Shell Graduate Programme and Power Up Summit, the company fosters continuous learning. Notably, 83% of Shell’s senior leaders were promoted internally, showcasing a robust talent pipeline.

Best DEI Initiatives

Wipro Unza stood out for its inclusive policies and leadership driven DEIB strategy. The company backs its initiatives with real data, structured practices, and corporate-wide alignment demonstrating that diversity is more than a buzzword. It’s a business strategy.

Employer of the Year

CIMB clinched this top honour thanks to its all-encompassing HR excellence. Judges praised its commitment to employee wellbeing, flexibility, tech adoption, and leadership development. Its FORWARD23+ strategy underscores a forward-thinking, people-first mission that places CIMB among ASEAN’s top employers.

People Leader of the Year

Lawrence Song Yew Beng, Managing Director and Head of HR at Daikin Malaysia, was recognised for visionary leadership. Balancing two high-impact roles, he led initiatives that not only transformed workplace culture but also contributed to RM1 billion in revenue growth. Judges admired his clarity, charisma, and action-oriented mindset.

What It Means for Employers, HR Leaders, and Job Seekers

These awards send a clear message of purpose matters and it pays off. As Malaysian talent becomes more selective, companies that prioritise meaningful work will naturally rise to the top.

Employers can take inspiration from these winners to revamp their culture, retain top talent, and future-proof their workforce. HR professionals, meanwhile, should view this as a call to lead transformation in their organisations. For job seekers, these results highlight the companies worth watching and applying to.

Backed by sponsors like Ambition Group and TalentConsult, and supported by Ipsos Malaysia’s research, the event created a space where business leaders shared insights and set new standards for workforce excellence.