Category champions
The Civil Service Awards Category Champions are proud supporters of the awards and promote their specific category to colleagues through networks across government and actively encourage nominations.
Our Category Champions select an expert panel to support them in reviewing the nominations before choosing the top entries within their category.
Co-Champion for the Excellence in Delivery Award
A Skilled Civil Service
Peter Schofield
Permanent Secretary, Department for Work and Pensions
Co-Champion for the Excellence in Delivery Award
A Skilled Civil Service
Myrtle Lloyd
Director General, Customer Service Group, HM Revenue and Customs
Co-Champion for the Developing and Supporting People Award
A Skilled Civil Service
Tricia Hayes CB
Second Permanent Secretary, Home Office
Co-Champion for the Developing and Supporting People Award
A Skilled Civil Service
Paul Kett
Director General, Skills Group, Department for Education
Co-Champion for the Diversity and Inclusion Award
A Skilled Civil Service
Dame Elizabeth Gardiner
First Parliamentary Counsel and the Permanent Secretary of the Government in Parliament Group, Cabinet Office
Co-Champion for the Diversity and Inclusion Award
A Skilled Civil Service
Emran Mian
Director General, Decentralisation and Growth, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Co-Champion for the Best use of Data and Technology Award
An Innovative Civil Service
Sarah Healey
Permanent Secretary, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Co-Champion for the Best use of Data and Technology Award
An Innovative Civil Service
Jo Farrar
Second Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, HM Prison & Probation Service, Ministry of Justice
Co-Champion for the Science and Innovation Award
An Innovative Civil Service
Sir Patrick Vallance
Government's Chief Scientific Adviser and the Head of the Government Science and Engineering Profession.
Co-Champion for the Science and Innovation Award
An Innovative Civil Service
Vijay Rangarajan
Director General: America, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Middle East, Overseas Territories and India, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Co-Champion for the Evaluation and Analysis Award
An Innovative Civil Service
Sam Beckett
Second Permanent Secretary and Deputy CEO of the UK Statistics Authority and Joint Head of the Government Economics Service
Co-Champion for the Evaluation and Analysis Award
An Innovative Civil Service
Mel Nebhrajani
Director General, Employment with Economic Recovery and UK Governance Directorate, Government Legal
Co-Champion for the Project Delivery Award
An Ambitious Civil Service
Jim Harra
First Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive, HM Revenue and Customs
Co-Champion for the Project Delivery Award
An Ambitious Civil Service
Dr Rannia Leontaridi OBE FRSA
Director General Aviation, Maritime and Security, Department for Transport
Co-Champion for the One Civil Service Award
An Ambitious Civil Service
Madeleine Alessandri
Permanent Secretary, Northern Ireland Office
Co-Champion for the One Civil Service Award
An Ambitious Civil Service
Jaee Samant
Director General, Public Safety Group, Home Office
Co-Champion for the Productive Partnerships Award
An Ambitious Civil Service
Tamara Finkelstein
Permanent Secretary, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Co-Champion for the Productive Partnerships Award
An Ambitious Civil Service
Ceri Smith
Director General, Strategy and Investment, Department for International Trade
Co-Champion of the Cabinet Secretary’s Outstanding Leader Award
A Modern Civil Service
Simon Case
Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service
Co-Champion for the Cabinet Secretary's Outstanding Leader Award
A Modern Civil Service
Rizwan Ahmed
2021 winner of the Prime Minister's Award for Exceptional Public Service
Co-Champion for the Rising Star Award
A Modern Civil Service
Sue Gray
Second Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office
Co-Champion for the Rising Star Award
A Modern Civil Service
Co-Champion for the Programme of the Year Award
A Modern Civil Service
Alex Chisholm
Civil Service Chief Operating Officer and Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office
Co-Champion for the Programme of the Year Award
A Modern Civil Service
Cat Little
Director General, Public Spending, non-Executive Director, and Head of the Government Finance Function