An official who led HM Courts and Tribunals Service’s response to violence in the summer and a prison governor who transformed a struggling prison are among the winners of the 2024 Civil Service Awards.
Twelve teams and individuals brought home accolades at the glitzy ceremony at Lancaster House last night, which celebrates excellence across government.
Pauline MacNeil from the Ministry of Justice won the Prime Minister’s Award for Exceptional Public Service, the first given by new PM Keir Starmer.
Presenting the award via video link, Starmer said: “One of the first challenges this government faced was dealing with the appalling thuggery and violence on our streets this summer. The winner of this award is someone who played a vital role in the government’s response. She did so by leading her team in the courts and tribunal service. A team that had already been in crisis response mode for more than a year because of prison capacity. So I’m delighted to be able to recognise her service in this way.”
Leading the response and command functions within HMCTS, MacNeil managed data collation, briefings, and operational responses, coordinating with Police Escort and Custody Services, planning additional court hours, and supporting cross-system decision-making.
Despite leading a depleted team for almost 12 months, MacNeil “ensured swift guidance, maintained morale and received exceptional feedback” and her efforts “resulted in minimal disruption, safe operations, and prompt sentencing, earning recognition for the court system’s effective response”, her nomination said.
Kevin Clark, a governor at HMP Wayland, received the Cabinet Secretary's Outstanding Leader Award, the final one to be awarded by Simon Case.
Clark “transformed HMP Wayland from a struggling institution into a model of excellence”, according to his nomination. Under his leadership, the prison achieved a 49% reduction in violence and self-harm, boosted staff morale, and significantly reduced attrition rates. He also “uplifted female staff and set new standards for inclusivity”, while his innovative approach to workforce development and operational efficiency established benchmarks in prison management.
Another winner was Ben Bilefield for his Zen with Ben project, an informal weekly mindfulness session for his then-Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy team, in September 2021. His sessions – which have reached officials in more than 25 government departments and public bodies – have been described as “friendly”, “invaluable”, “transformative” and “essential”.
Here is the list of Civil Service Awards winners in full:
Programme of Year – HMP Fosse Way Team, HM Prison and Probation Service
Excellence in Delivery Award – White Mail Vulnerability Solution, Department for Work and Pensions
Developing and Supporting People Award – Ben Bilefield, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Diversity & Inclusion Award – Nigel Epton, DWP
Best Use of Data, Science and Technology Award – Prioritising Asylum Customers’ Experience Programme, Home Office
Creative Solutions Award – Geospatial Commission: National Underground Asset Register Team, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Evaluation and Analysis Award – Early Years Data and Analysis Team, Ofsted
Collaboration Award – 4G Infill (S4GI) programme – Scottish Government
Delivering for Citizens Award – Help Gran Stop Spam Campaign, Information Commissioner’s Office
Rising Star Award – Arnie Delstanche, Dstl
Cabinet Secretary Outstanding Leader Award – Kevin Clark, HMPPS
Prime Minister’s Award for Exceptional Public Service – Pauline MacNeil, Ministry of Justice
More details here on the winners