FAST food giant McDonald's made a meal of the Singapore HR Awards on Friday night by taking home the top prize - the inaugural Corporate HR Champion prize at Friday's event.

The new category recognises organisations that have consistently demonstrated creative and proactive HR and people management practices.

McDonald's, a consistent winner of HR accolades here, clinched the award thanks to its continuous emphasis on staff development, said the event organisers, the Singapore Human Resources Institute (SHRI).

'Winning this award is proof that our people-first culture drives every HR action and decision at McDonald's,' said McDonald's Singapore general manager Alex Yeo.

The restaurant chain was joined by 43 other public and private sector organisations in receiving the HR awards from the Minister of State for Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Ms Yu-Foo Yee Shoon.

Media giant Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) was also among the big winners, clinching four awards on Friday night.

SPH took home the HR Advocate Award for Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR; Leading HR Practices awards for Talent Management, Retention & Succession Planning; CSR as well as received a Special Mention for Compensation & Rewards Management.

'We are happy to be conferred the HR Advocate Award for Corporate Social Responsibility at this year's Singapore HR Awards,' said SPH chief executive Alan Chan.

'At SPH, we pride ourselves on being a responsible corporate citizen, actively engaging all segments of the community through various events covering the arts, charity, sports, education and conservation.

'Some of our notable initiatives include the SPH Gift of Music series and the annual SPH Group Giving to charity.

Read the full report in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.