Across the Academic Services Group and University Secretary Division , we are keen to recognise and reward staff for their tireless hard work and contributions. In 2022, we implemented an annual recognition scheme designed to celebrate colleagues' outstanding dedication to Academic Services, University Secretary Division and the Imperial community.
In light of the extensive feedback received from colleagues' across the divisions, we have revamped the nomination categories and will be hosting the event at the Sir Michael Uren Hub, with a view to providing a better in-person and online experience for colleagues.
The nominations for 2026 will open on 7 September and will close at 12 noon on 19 October. Winners will be announced at the celebration event on 16 December 2026.
If you have any questions relating to the scheme, please contact Barbara Bonney (b.bonney@imperial.ac.uk).
Panel
It is important that the composition of this panel represents a cross-section of the teams within Academic Services and the University Secretary Division, and includes colleagues at a range of job levels. The panel will consist of one representative per team and winners from the previous year are invited to join if they so wish.
The panel will be briefed on the importance of confidentiality and should a panel member or associated line manager/direct report be nominated for an award, they will not be present whilst the nomination is discussed in order to ensure impartiality. The panel for 2026 is:
Rianna Suazo - Digital Media Lab, Education Office
Monika Koziel - Library Services
Nicola Enston - University Secretary Division
Rebecca Speakman - Marketing, Outreach, Recruitment and Admissions
Nancy Richards - Registry
Beth Hurley - Student Services
Stacey Loghdey - Lifelong Learning
Cecile Loyen - Planning and Insight
Michael Uong - Research Support and Compliance Division
Categories
Awards can be made for the following categories:
Inspirational Leadership
This award recognises a colleague who effectively leads and inspires individuals and/or teams to reach their full potential. They do this by effortlessly demonstrating leadership and management skills that instil confidence in others and motivate people to achieve excellent results. Through their people skills, they bring out the very best in themselves and in others and provide support and encouragement to enable successful outcomes. Your nominee will demonstrate our university values in all that they do and challenge and encourage those around them to do the same.
Outstanding Individual Contribution
This award recognises individuals who have made a significant contribution to promoting further improvements or made a visible difference within the Academic Services Group and Division of the University Secretary. They may have utilised innovation and creativity to develop brand new or significantly improve existing processes, methods, systems, products or services. They demonstrate exceptional expertise and professionalism in their role and are trusted, knowledgeable and keep important services running smoothly. Your nominee will demonstrate our university values in all that they do.
Outstanding Team
This award recognises teams that invest time and energy into delivering outcomes and achieving goals through collaboration and sharing of knowledge. This could be a project team, a service delivery team or any other group of colleagues that are working together to demonstrate excellence. They may deliver an important service to students or have developed a procedure that’s behind the scenes but makes everyone’s work better connected or more efficient. The team will demonstrate our university values in all that they do.
Innovation and continuous improvement
This award recognises colleagues who have delivered smaller-scale but high-impact improvements to the way we work, such as streamlining processes, improving accessibility, enhancing collaboration, or increasing efficiency. While these changes may not always be part of large or high-profile projects, they can have a significant cumulative impact on productivity, service quality, and the day-to-day experience of colleagues and customers. Your nominee will demonstrate our university values in all that they do.
Excellence in customer service
This award recognises colleagues who consistently deliver outstanding, professional and compassionate service to students, researchers, staff or external stakeholders, particularly in challenging, complex or high-pressure situations. Celebrating colleagues who go above and beyond to provide a positive experience, build trust and confidence, resolve issues effectively, and demonstrate empathy, resilience and professionalism in every interaction. Your nominee will demonstrate our university values in all that they do.
Outstanding contribution to a culture of wellbeing, inclusion and support
This award recognises colleagues who actively contribute to a positive, supportive and inclusive working environment. This could be by supporting others through a difficult time, promoting healthy ways of working or influencing decisions/practice which improve the staff experience. The activity does not need to be large scale but should be high impact, for example, changes that have been positively experienced by a colleague/team or the introduction of good practice which has been shared and adopted beyond the immediate organisational unit. Your nominee will demonstrate our university values in all that they do.
Prizes
Each category will have one winner and one highly commended, and winners cannot be awarded in the same category for a period of one year following their achievement. Individuals will be awarded £300 on winning and teams will be allocated £36.00 per head to spend on a group activity. Winners and highly commended colleagues will also be presented with a certificate from Richard Martin, Registrar and University Secretary.