The Civil Service Awards, a prestigious cross-government programme, continues its tradition of recognising the outstanding contributions of civil servants across the UK. For 19 years, these awards have highlighted inspirational individuals and innovative projects, fostering best practices and driving leadership and learning across the public sector.
This year, the awards attracted a record-breaking 2,116 nominations across 11 categories, showcasing the dedication and impact of civil servants in delivering for citizens. With teams and programmes from 15 departments and public bodies making the shortlist, the Department for Work and Pensions leads the pack with five nominations.
The Prime Minister’s Award for Exceptional Public Service has just been announced, celebrating those whose work has delivered life-changing outcomes. Among the nominees is Emmeline Carr from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whose exceptional crisis leadership and planning have supported over 500 British nationals in the Middle East. Pauline MacNeil from the Ministry of Justice is also recognised for ensuring courts continued to function effectively during periods of civil disorder. Meanwhile, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Team from the Department for Education demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving lives by opening a school in record time for children in a deprived area, ensuring 120 students at risk of dropping out now have the opportunity to thrive.
The awards also highlight excellence across a range of categories. The Afghan Relocations Islamabad Team, shortlisted for the Collaboration Award, demonstrated extraordinary teamwork and compassion in resettling thousands of vulnerable Afghan nationals. In the Rising Star category, Lucy Wyatt from the Forestry Commission has been recognised for her exceptional leadership in creating a nationwide Promotion and Engagement Team as part of the Nature for Climate Fund. Under her guidance, the team has transformed public awareness of forestry projects, contributing to delivering over 4,500 hectares of new woodland last year – an achievement critical to meeting the country’s climate goals.
The Asylum Transformation Programme has been shortlisted for two awards: “Best use of data, science, and technology” and “Best programme.” By December 2023, the programme cleared most legacy backlogs in asylum cases and successfully tripled caseworker productivity levels.
The overall winner for each category will be announced during the awards ceremony taking place on 10 December.
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Excellence in Delivery Award
Sponsored by Baringa
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Border Force Operations – Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territories Crisis Response |
Home Office
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Fraud Policy Unit Team
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Home Office
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White Mail Vulnerability Solution
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Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
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Developing and Supporting People Award
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Ben Bilefield – Zen with Ben
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Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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Civil Service Mandarin Network Committee
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Cabinet Office
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Rebecca (Bee) Durrant
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Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
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Diversity and Inclusion Award
Sponsored by Indeed
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Government Social Research Degree Apprenticeship Programme
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HM Treasury
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HMRC Women in Tech Network
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HM Revenues & Customs (HMRC)
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Nigel Epton
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Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
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Best Use of Data, Science and Technology Award
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National Economic Crime Centre – Data Fusion Pilot
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National Crime Agency
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Prioritising Asylum Customers’ Experience (PACE) – Asylum Transformation Programme
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Home Office
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Scottish Government Design System Team
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Scottish Government
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Creative Solutions Award
Sponsored by PA Consulting
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Geospatial Commission: NUAR One-team
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Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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SCA NINO Team
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HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
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Suffolk supported families
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Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
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Evaluation and Analysis Award
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Early Years Data and Analysis Team – Understanding barriers for working parents: where are
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Ofsted |
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Global Dependencies Tool
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Department for Health and Social Care
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Serious and Organised Crime Coordination Centre
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HM Prison and Probation Service
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Programme of the Year Award
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Asylum Transformation Programme
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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
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HMP Fosse Way Team
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HM Prison and Probation Service
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State Pension Underpayments Programme Management Team
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Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
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Collaboration Award
Sponsored by Baringa
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Afghan Relocations Islamabad Team
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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDCO)
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Help to Save
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HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
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Scottish 4G Infill (S4GI) programme
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Scottish Government
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Delivering for Citizens Award
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Consular Teams from British Embassies in Seoul, Tokyo and Jakarta
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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
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DWP East Scotland Operational Delivery Group
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Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
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Help Gran Stop Spam
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Information Commissioner’s Office
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Cabinet Secretary's Outstanding Leader Award
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Emma Morris
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Government Legal Department
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Kevin Clarke
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HM Prison and Probation Service
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Myron Stevenson
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Department for Transport
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Rising Star Award
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Arnie Delstanche
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Defence Science Technology Laboratory
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Faye McCarthy
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HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
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Lucy Wyatt
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Forestry Commission
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Prime Minister's Award for Exceptional Public Service
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Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Team, East of England Regions Group
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Department for Education
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Emmeline Carr
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Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office
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| Pauline MacNeil |
Ministry of Justice
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