Conversation with… People in Retail Awards Judge Faye Ryder-Humphries
TRB is delighted to announce that Faye Ryder-Humphries, people director at Wingstop UKI, will be a judge for next year’s People in Retail Awards. Here we chat with Faye about her exciting year, the importance of recognising people at every level, and what joining the judging panel means to her.
We last interviewed you in April. Could you update us on what’s been happening for you personally and professionally since then?
2025 has been a big year for me on both fronts. Professionally, I stepped into the people director role at Wingstop UKI in September, which was incredibly exciting. It felt like a real milestone moment, not just personally but also for the people agenda within the business.
On a personal note, my wife and I have another little one on the way. When we last spoke, I’d just been talking about my little boy, and now we’re expecting a baby girl in April. My wife had her 20-week scan recently, so it’s all starting to feel very real. We’re absolutely thrilled.
Subscribe to TRB2025 has been the biggest year yet for Wingstop UKI. We’ll finish the year with 30 new sites, up from 18 last year, so we’ve almost doubled our new store openings year-on-year. That’s been incredibly exciting, but also a huge responsibility in terms of making sure our culture scales alongside the business.
We’ve also just entered a new market, opening our first locations in Ireland. We launched two sites in one day in Dublin including one restaurant and one delivery kitchen, which was a big moment for us. Alongside that, we rolled out a new internal communications platform called The Sauce, which is designed to keep our teams connected as we continue to grow. It’s fair to say we’ve been very busy.
And this year Wingstop UKI won in two categories at The People in Retail Awards. What did those wins mean to you and the wider team?
We were overjoyed. Going into the night, we were saying that if we could win just one award, it would be People Development Team of the Year. So, to come away with that was incredibly special.
We’re still talking about it now. We’ve shared the photos, revisited the moments, and reflected on what it meant as a team. We even showed the pictures in our most recent board meeting with our owners recently. It wasn’t just about winning; it was about recognising the consistent hard work our people put in day after day – and that validation matters.
Why do you think awards like these are so important for the retail and hospitality industry?
For me, it’s about taking a beat. People in retail and hospitality are constantly on the go as both sectors are fast paced, demanding, and relentless at times. Walking into an awards evening like that, where the sole focus is celebrating people and their impact, is incredibly powerful.
You get an entire evening to switch off from the day-to-day and simply applaud the brilliance happening across the industry, much of which goes unseen. The breadth of categories is also important because it allows you to recognise excellence at every level, not just at the top.
It’s also a brilliant opportunity to see what other businesses are doing. Not in a competitive way, but as inspiration. You leave feeling energised, motivated, and ready to continue investing in culture and people. Ultimately, that helps raise standards across the industry.
You mentioned recognising people at all levels. Why is it so important to celebrate rising stars and unsung heroes, not just leaders?
Leaders might set the direction, but it’s the entire team that drives the business forward. If we’re serious about inspiring the next generation, we must recognise the people who are showing up every single day: working, learning, and making things happen.
In a world that’s increasingly digital, less human and disconnected, having a night where people come together in person to network, celebrate, and connect is more important than ever. Awards like these shine a light on the full ecosystem of talent including the rising stars, the quiet achievers, and the people creating impact behind the scenes. Recognition at every level shouldn’t be optional; it should be essential.
You have now also joined the judging panel. What does that role mean to you personally?
It’s a huge privilege, but also a big responsibility. Having been on the receiving end of that recognition myself, I understand just how powerful those moments can be. An award can genuinely change how someone feels about their career, their confidence, and what they’re capable of.
Work can be tough, and sometimes you can’t see the wood for the trees. That one evening of recognition can completely reframe things; it reignites your passion and reminds you why you do what you do. Being part of that process as a judge is something I take very seriously, and I feel a real emotional connection to it.
What advice would you give to retailers who are considering entering the awards?
My biggest advice would be to stay true to who you are. It’s easy to get caught up in what you think a winning entry should look like, but authenticity matters far more. At Wingstop UKI, we focus on progress over perfection and on staying aligned with who we are as a brand.
If you’re genuinely people-centric, there is absolutely a place for you at this event. Culture is built in all the small everyday moments, and if you’re bringing people along with you on that journey, that’s what really counts.
For me, winning an individual award was great, but what mattered most was seeing my team recognised. If your success is shared and you’re building something together, then you belong in this space.
Entries for The People in Retail Awards are now open. Find out more and make your nominations here
