Collaboration Award Shortlist

Administration Data Research (ADR) Wales

Welsh Government

ADR Wales is a Welsh Government and higher education partnership leveraging the world-renowned SAIL Databank to enable deidentified, linked data research across public services. By collaborating with data owners, the team opens access to rich datasets—ranging from GP records to school results and tax contributions—allowing researchers to generate evidence that directly informs policy, improves lives, and saves public money.

Their innovative analysis has shaped interventions in areas such as substance misuse treatment, mental health support in schools, homelessness prevention, and offender behaviour programmes. For every £1 invested, independent evaluation estimates £5 in benefits, demonstrating exceptional public value.

ADR Wales combines expertise from Swansea University, Cardiff University, and Welsh Government, ensuring analytical rigor and safeguarding data through advanced physical, technical, and procedural controls. The team has acquired over 100 administrative datasets, linked for accredited research, achieving DEA 2017 accreditation and ISO27001 certification. Notably in 2025, HMRC income data was deposited in the SAIL Databank and can now be linked with GP, education, and care records for the first time in Wales.

The partnership is recognised globally, with invitations to share insights at international conferences and official visits requested by Chile and Spain. By aligning closely with government priorities, ADR Wales provides robust, evidence-based solutions that transform public services and inform decision-making across Wales, setting a benchmark for data-driven public policy innovation.

Air India 171 crash response

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Department for Transport

On 12 June 2025, flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick crashed killing 260 people, including 52 British nationals—the largest loss of British life in an air accident for more than two decades. The continued impact of this tragic event on families and loved ones of those that died cannot be overstated and our thoughts remain with all those affected.

Officials immediately stood up a crisis response to provide direct support to bereaved families, establishing response centres in Ahmedabad, Delhi and London with additional staff rostered in the UK, India and the wider region. The needs and welfare of British nationals were front and centre of the response, with specially trained consular staff deployed to Ahmedabad to support families through the immediate period following the crash.

In addition, HMG logistics teams, joined by Disaster Victim Identification-trained experts, Red Cross specialists and UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch investigators, helped deliver a coordinated response on the ground, working with Indian authorities to establish information needed. The Foreign Office continues to provide support to bereaved families including dedicated consular caseworkers to each family who requests support.

Supervised Toothbrushing

Department of Health and Social Care

Tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged 5–9 in England, yet it is almost entirely preventable. This initiative highlights cross-government collaboration between DHSC, DfE, GLD, and local authorities, alongside a pioneering public-private partnership with Colgate-Palmolive. Together, they support up to 600,000 children annually in deprived areas with Colgate-Palmolive donating 23 million toothbrushing products and a co-branded oral health campaign. The team secured £11million DHSC funding for 2025/26 which is projected to save £34 million in treatment costs annually.

The team overcame funding and infrastructure challenges by aligning policy, delivery, and communications across government departments and engaging Colgate-Palmolive through an open market process. A formal collaboration agreement ensured fairness, value, and co-created messaging. The programme features the first-ever dual-branded NHS logo in a public health campaign, alongside educational and digital resources for schools and families. This campaign has received widespread media coverage in national and regional print, broadcast, online and trade media.

This initiative promotes positive oral health habits at school and at home, supports better school attendance, reduces inequalities, and delivers measurable prevention outcomes. Civil Service values underpinned the partnership, ensuring transparency, integrity, and objectivity. Recognised by Ministers and partners alike, this programme sets a new benchmark for cross-sector innovation, providing a model for future collaborations that deliver meaningful public health impact efficiently and sustainably.