Returning for a second year, staff came together from across the university for the Professional Services and Colleges Staff Awards. This year the event took place on 5th June in Southlands with colleagues enjoying a fantastic BBQ provided by Elior in the Quad before moving to the Chapman Hall for the ceremony. There was a real buzz in the room as around 250 Professional Services and Colleges Staff squeezed into the room to celebrate their colleagues who had been shortlisted for nine awards.

The event was co-organised and hosted by Marian Brown (Team Leader of the Library’s Academic Engagement Team and Academic Engagement Librarian for School of Education), Kelli Wolfe (Deputy Academic Registrar, Registry) and Beth Franklin (Executive Assistant, Vice-Chancellor’s Office). They were supported at the event by Matthew Reeve-Arnold (Nest) and Sarah Wake (Academic Services: AHSS). Steven Taggart (Whitelands College) also came up to announce this year’s surprise Dean’s Recognition Award.

We were delighted to have Tom Rowson, Chief Operating Officer in attendance who kindly opened the event and presented the prizes. Many thanks also to the Vice-Chancellor Professor Jean-Noël Ezingeard for presenting certificates to all our highly commended and winners before announcing the winner of the Vice-Chancellor Special Thanks and Recognition Award. This award was personally selected by the Vice-Chancellor from a shortlist of nominations.

220 nominations were submitted and we were incredibly grateful to have the assistance of Sarah Wake as well as Sophie Curl (Study Abroad) and Stephanie Laryea (Academic Services: AHSS). Sarah, Sophie and Stephanie helped the co-organisers email all nominated colleagues with their nominations. Thanks also to Dan Brown (Comms) for the creation of the introduction video featuring interviews with three of last year’s winners, Lewis Redfern (Southlands College), Owen Severn (HR) and Steven Taggart (Whitelands College). Dan along with Mariyah Ahmad (Comms) did an amazing job of capturing the event.

Thank you to everyone who attended the event, it was fantastic to see so many colleagues come together to recognise all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

The winners and highly commended of each category are listed below.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Award

This award is given to an individual or team who makes an outstanding contribution to progressing equality, diversity and inclusion at the University. It recognises those who celebrate diversity and difference and encourage others to do the same. It acknowledges those who work to eliminate inequality and make the workplace welcoming to all.

WINNER: Mugdha Shivapurkar (Nest)

Excellence in Collaboration (new for 2024)

This award seeks to recognise an individual or team who have made an inspirational contribution in collaboration and open communication across two or more teams/departments across the university.

WINNER: Cameron McKenzie (HR)

Highly Commended
Matthew Kinani (Comms)
Enrolment Team – Registry
Lewis Brown (Admissions)

Health and Safety (Spotlight on Professional Practice) (new for 2024)

This year’s highlighted area of good professional practice is Health and Safety. This award is to honour an individual or a team whose endeavours have resulted in significant improvements in health and safety over the past year.

WINNER: Kate Bancroft (Library)

Highly Commended
Life and Health Sciences Technicians

Innovation and Achievement Award

This award is given to an individual or team that uses creativity to develop innovative approaches to challenges or improve our workplace. This award recognises individuals or a small team who are driven to making improvements, always willing to experiment with new approaches to a task, and work towards finding positive solutions.

WINNER: SRS Project Team (Banner)

Highly Commended
José Magalhaes (Research Office and Graduate School)
Lewis Smith (Estates and Campus Services)

Inspirational Leader Award

This award recognises an individual or team who have demonstrated exceptional and inspiring leadership across any aspect of the work of the University. Nominees do not necessarily have to hold a supervisory or management role within the university.

WINNER: Michaela Jones (Academic Services: BaL)

Highly Commended
Nick Mayhew Smith (Southlands College)
Frances Coleman (Health and Safety)
Chloe Green (Study Abroad)

Outstanding Student Service Award

This award seeks to recognise the individual or team who goes above and beyond to provide excellent service and/or support to students.

WINNER: Student Engagement Team

Highly Commended
Annika Nicklinson (Student Casework)
Olivia Ogunbunmi (Student Wellbeing)

Rising Star Award

This award seeks to recognise an individual or team with high potential, motivation, enthusiasm, and/or fresh ideas. A rising star in the organisation, the sector, or the world.

WINNER: Oli Ottaway (Student Wellbeing)

Highly Commended
Tobi Jolaolu (Student Support and Success
Lucy Head (Careers and Placement)
Jacinta Oliver (Academic Office)

Unsung Hero Award

This award seeks to recognise an individual who is a shining light to their colleagues, bringing an endless amount of energy, enthusiasm, and good vibes into the workplace. A hard-working member of staff tucked away behind the scenes, who “gets on with it” without fanfare but whose work has a real impact on the quality of your working life. An individual who possibly defies categorisation!

WINNER: Peter Connolly (Timetabling – Registry)

Highly Commended
Zaynab Ismail (Vice-Chancellor’s Office)
Estates and Campus Services

Team of the Year Award

This award seeks to recognise the collective efforts of a team within the University. It may be in any area related to the work of the University and will be in recognition of efforts which have yielded a benefit to students or colleagues in any aspect of its work.

WINNER: Academic Services (all)

Highly Commended
AV Resources
eLearning Services
Human Resources

Dean’s Recognition Award

WINNER: Amanda Cook (Estates and Campus Services)

Vice-Chancellor Special Thanks and Recognition (STAR) Award

WINNER: Jenny Ilsey (Sports and Active Communities)

The event finished with a special thank you to Susanna Dean (HR) who is retiring in July after more 28 years of service to the University.

See the previous year’s Staff Awards blog post here.