NIIT Learning Systems Limited announced it has earned a record 114 Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards for 2026, won jointly with its clients. The total comprises 90 awards to NIIT Learning and 24 awards to SweetRush, the AI-enabled custom learning experience design firm acquired by NIIT Learning in January 2026.
The Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards recognize excellence across Learning and Development, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Leadership Development, Human Resources, Sales Performance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the Future of Work.
Award Breakdown
- NIIT Learning: 90 total awards (28 Gold, 27 Silver, 35 Bronze)
- SweetRush: 24 total awards (17 Gold, 7 Silver)
Client Partnerships
NIIT Learning's awards were won jointly with clients including Hitachi Energy, IBM, IQVIA, Medtronic, MetLife, Opella, Qatar Airways, Ricoh, Rio Tinto, ServiceNow, and Shell. The company also received recognition for its own in-house L&D initiatives and AI-powered learning solutions.
SweetRush earned awards with client-partners American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP), Arcadis, Scrum Alliance, SHRM, and Uber, across custom learning experience design, leadership development, and workforce transformation.
Management Commentary
Sapnesh Lalla, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of NIIT Learning, stated: "AI now sits at the center of how we design and deliver learning, from simulations and intelligent coaching to adaptive practice embedded in the flow of work. This reflects what enterprises increasingly expect: not more courses, but capabilities that translate into real-world performance, delivered faster."
Danielle Hart, Chief Executive Officer of SweetRush, commented: "Together with our client-partners, we transform workplaces and lift up people and communities, and that's why we're all fortunate to be in this remarkable field of learning."
Devenderjit Chadha, Chief Customer Officer of NIIT Learning, added: "Ninety awards is a powerful measure of our commitment to building future-ready talent in an era of rapid change. Beyond the number, it reflects the trust our clients place in NIIT and the impact we create together through learning solutions that move real business results."
Evaluation Process
Entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts, Brandon Hall Group analysts, and executives using a proven evaluation framework. Criteria included alignment to business need, program design, functionality, delivery, adoption, integration, user experience, innovation, creativity, effectiveness, impact, and measurable benefits.
Recognition Event
All Human Capital Management (HCM) Excellence Award winners will be honored at Brandon Hall Group's HCM Excellence Conference, January 26-28, 2027, at the Hilton West Palm Beach, Florida.
Additional Information
The complete list of awards is available through the provided link. The press release includes disclaimers that Brandon Hall Group is not affiliated with NIIT Learning Systems Limited.
Company Background
NIIT Learning is described as a global leader in managed learning services established in 1981, helping enterprises build AI operating models across 40+ countries. SweetRush, acquired in January 2026, is an AI-enabled custom learning experience design firm headquartered in San Francisco with over 100 specialists.