Busy Bees' People Director Named HR Director of the Year in Inaugural Industry Power List

Busy Bees’ European People Director has been awarded the prestigious ‘HR Director of the Year’ award in the inaugural Nursery Management Today Power List awards, in recognition of her commitment to outstanding leadership and transformative impact on employee engagement in the early years sector. 

The award celebrates the most influential and forward-thinking leaders shaping the future of early years education in the UK. Emma was recognised for embedding a people-first culture that is driving measurable improvements in employee engagement, retention, and overall experience.

Since joining Busy Bees in 2022, Emma has evolved the employee strategy, including the introduction of enhanced employee benefits, a strengthened focus on wellbeing, and the expansion of career development pathways - most notably through Busy Bees’ apprenticeship programme, which is helping to build a sustainable talent pipeline for the sector.

Driven by a belief in helping people feel empowered, heard and valued, Emma has supported teams across the UK, ensuring they are equipped to give every child the best start in life.

This impact has already received national recognition. In 2025, Busy Bees was awarded the CIPD Best Employee Experience Initiative and the company ranked in the top five of two of the country’s most prestigious apprenticeship rankings: The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025 and the Department for Education.

Emma Langford, European People Director at Busy Bees, said: “This award is particularly special for me because I feel so passionate about the sector and the importance of giving children the best start in life. The progress we’ve made from an HR perspective is a testament to the dedication of the wider people team and their collaboration with our teams. I am looking forward to building on our success further, with people at the heart of everything we do."