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.

A headshot of Gareth Davies

Civil Service Awards Champion

Gareth Davies CB
Permanent Secretary
Department for Business and Trade 

Excellence in Delivery Award

Co-Champion

Jo Shanmugalingam

Second Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport

Excellence in Delivery Award

Co-Champion

Joe Griffin

Permanent Secretary, Scottish Government

Developing and Supporting People Award

Co-Champion

Sarah Healey CB CVO

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Developing and Supporting People Award

Co-Champion

Fiona Ryland

Government Chief People Officer, Cabinet Office

Innovator Award

Co-Champion

Cat Little CB

Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office

Innovator Award

Co-Champion

Susan Acland-Hood

Permanent Secretary, Department for Education

Evaluation and Analysis Award

Co-Champion

Sam Beckett

Second Permanent Secretary Chief Economic Advisor to the Treasury and Head of GES, HM Treasury

Evaluation and Analysis Award

Co-Champion

Coming Soon

Collaboration Award

Co-Champion

Julie Harrison

Permanent Secretary, Northern Ireland Office

A headshot of Susannah Storey

Collaboration Award

Co-Champion

Susannah Storey

Permanent Secretary, Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Delivering for Citizens Award

Co-Champion

Dr Andrew Goodall

Permanent Secretary, Welsh Government

Delivering for Citizens Award

Co-Champion

Susanna McGibbon KC (Hon)

HM Procurator General, Treasury Solicitor and Head of the Government Legal Profession and Crown’s Nominee

Programme of the Year Award

Co-Champion

Sir Peter Schofield KCB

Permanent Secretary, Department for Work and Pensions

Programme of the Year Award

Co-Champion

Angela MacDonald

Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, HM Revenue and Customs

20th Anniversary: Lifetime Achievement Award

Co-Champion

John-Paul Marks CB

First Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive, HM Revenue and Customs

20th Anniversary: Lifetime Achievement Award

Co-Champion

Beth Russell

Second Permanent Secretary, HM Treasury

Rising Star Award

Co-Champion

Dame Antonia Romeo DCB

Permanent Secretary, Home Office

Rising Star Award

Co-Champion

Arnie Delstanche

Winner of 2024 Rising Star Award

Cabinet Secretary's Outstanding Leader Award

Co-Champion

Sir Chris Wormald KCB

Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service

Cabinet Secretary's Outstanding Leader Award

Co-Champion

Kevin Clark

Winner of the 2024 Cabinet Secretary’s Outstanding Leader Award

Prime Minister's Award for Exceptional Public Service

Co-Champion

Sir Keir Starmer

Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union

Prime Minister's Award for Exceptional Public Service

Co-Champion

Pauline MacNeil

Winner of the 2024 Prime Minister’s Award for Exceptional Public Service