Rising Star Award Shortlist
Sponsored by
Faeeza Jabeen
Department for Work and Pensions
Faeeza has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in redesigning the Movement to Work (MTW) programme, which supports disadvantaged young people into employment. Recognising low engagement and high dropout rates, she led a strategic overhaul, introducing a flexible hybrid delivery model aligned with DWP goals on inclusion, digital transformation, and social mobility.
Faeeza engaged stakeholders across government, youth ambassadors, and delivery partners to identify barriers, including accessibility challenges posed by traditional in-person sessions. She led a working group to design virtual modules paired with practical, community-based projects, while incorporating one in-person employability and networking day. Her model included structured participant engagement, risk monitoring, and continuous quality checks, ensuring fairness, flexibility, and impact.
The redesigned programme delivered measurable improvements: completion rates increased significantly, participants secured employment quickly, and community projects generated tangible results, such as raising £146 in a single hour. Faeeza’s work revitalised the programme, elevated DWP’s national profile, and contributed to the department being nominated for Employer of the Year at the Movement to Work Awards. Her approach has since been shared across other regions to support national scale-up.
Faeeza’s innovative thinking, strategic alignment, and ability to inspire change showcase her emerging leadership potential and lasting impact on improving opportunities for disadvantaged young people.
Lewis Crump
Welsh Government
Lewis has played a transformative role in improving prompt payment practices across Wales’ public sector supply chains through the creation of the Nominated Service Provider Agreement for Project Bank Accounts (PBAs). Recognising the barriers contractors faced when setting up PBAs—such as limited bank knowledge and lengthy processes—Lewis took strategic, proactive steps to engage the banking sector and remove these obstacles.
Through determined collaboration and innovative thinking, he successfully secured agreements with Barclays, Lloyds, and NatWest to become the first official Nominated Service Providers. These banks now offer streamlined, transparent processes, clear contact points, and defined timelines, giving contractors enhanced confidence and support when establishing PBAs.
The new framework, launched in January 2025, ensures greater transparency, oversight, and regular reporting to the Welsh Government. It aligns with ministerial priorities to protect small and medium-sized enterprises by promoting prompt, secure payments within the construction supply chain.
Thanks to Lewis’ initiative, PBAs are now viewed as an effective and accessible mechanism for ensuring payment security—strengthening SMEs, safeguarding jobs, and supporting the sustainability of the Welsh economy. Lewis’ leadership and collaboration have delivered a lasting, positive impact across both the public and private sectors.
Richard Baker
Home Office
Richard has played a pivotal role in improving efficiency and operational delivery within the Safeguarding Hub. Demonstrating strong analytical and problem-solving skills, he identified a key inefficiency within the Asylum Decision Service case allocation process that was contributing to backlogs and increased pressure on staff.
To address this, Richard designed and implemented a tailored Excel process that streamlined case management, eliminated duplication, and improved visibility across the team. The impact was immediate and measurable — outstanding cases were reduced by 45%, significantly improving workflow and enabling staff to focus on more complex casework.
Richard’s work has delivered lasting operational benefits, reducing delays, supporting staff wellbeing, and enhancing service delivery. His proactive approach and commitment to collaboration have helped embed a culture of continuous improvement within the Safeguarding Hub.
Beyond this achievement, Richard has contributed to wider innovation and transformation initiatives, sharing good practice and supporting colleagues in adopting new tools and ways of working. His ability to combine technical skill with practical implementation has made a clear and positive difference to the efficiency and effectiveness of safeguarding operations.
People’s Choice Award
In honour of the 20th anniversary of the Civil Service Awards, we’re thrilled to launch a brand-new category. For the first time ever, you get to decide a winner of your own – vote for your favourite finalist who will take home the coveted People’s Choice Award trophy!
To help make your decision, take a look at the amazing finalists stories where you will learn about the achievements of each finalists and their impact. Once you’re ready, it’s time to choose your champion! Complete the short form below to cast your vote.
Voting is open NOW until 5pm, Friday 14 November, so spread the word and support your colleagues!
The winner will be announced on 9 December at the Awards ceremony – so keep your eyes peeled on your local channels to discover who will be the People’s Choice!
Please note: One vote per person. This opportunity is only available to UK civil servants. Please use your government address (usually ending in gov.uk) to register your vote. Any non-government emails will not be counted.