The Public Catalyst - IESE Awards 2026 Special Issue

Catalyst The Public

March 2026

Winners Special Issue

To find out more about the Public Sector Transformation Awards and how to apply, please go to our IESE website.

Issue #3

Contents Page 2

Introduction from Annabelle Atkin, Chief Executive of IESE Group.

Page 3 Sponsors

Page 4 AI in Public Services

Pages 5 Best Transformation Team

Pages 6 Best Use of Digital, Technology and Data Insight

Pages 7 CareCubed Award

Page 8 IESE Partnership Development Project, Cyber Excellence and Resilience Award

Page 9 Collaboration & Partnership Award

Page 10 Community + Customer Focus Award

Page 11 Award for Efficiency and Effectiveness

Page 12 Green Public Service Award

Page 13 Award for Innovation

Page 14 Lived Experience and Dual Aspect Award

Page 15 Transformation in Health & Social Care Award

Page 16 International Emergency Services of the Year 2026

Page 17 International Public Body of the Year 2026

Page 18 UK Fire & Rescue Service of the Year 2026

Page 19 UK Police Service of the Year 2026

Page 20 UK Council of the Year 2026

Page 21 Hall of Fame Award 2026

Page 22 Gallery of images from the Awards 2026

Editorial Contacts The Public Catalyst is produced

by IESE: www.iese.org.uk enquiries@iese.org.uk @ IESE CIC

Editorial by Nicola Quinn Artwork by SMK Design (Aldershot) Views expressed within are those of the IESE editorial team. The Public Catalyst is distributed to companies and individuals with an interest in reviewing, remodelling and reinventing public services.

Introduction

IESE Awards 2026 Winners Edition The IESE Awards were founded to identify, celebrate and share best practice. Over the years, the landscape of local public services has changed beyond recognition, and so have these awards. What began with councils, police and fire services in the South East of England grew to become a UK‑wide programme, and today these awards are truly international in reach.

As

many of you know, IESE exists to share insight, experience and learning that helps public bodies navigate change and deliver better outcomes for the communities we serve. Because at IESE we believe in shaping better services, together.

The IESE Awards play a central role in that mission. They give us a unique opportunity to shine a light on the organisations, teams and individuals who are not just responding to change, but actively shaping the future of public services. The awards are about celebrating innovation, creativity and determination - and of course recognising the people who are leading transformation, often in the most demanding circumstances.

Despite the pressures of reorganisation, service demand and financial constraint, we have once again seen an outstanding level of engagement - with this year receiving 218 nominations from 88 public sector organisations. This speaks volumes about the resilience, professionalism and commitment of this sector.

To all of our finalists for 2026: congratulations.

Your work stood out in a highly competitive field, and you should be immensely proud of what you have achieved.

We are deliberately rigorous in our approach when it comes to judging the IESE Awards. If a submission does not meet the standard we set, we do not make an award in that category. That discipline is important. It ensures that when we do recognise excellence, it is genuine, credible and deserved.

Of course, these awards would not be possible without the generous support of our partners. I would like to extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors: AppGuard, Ikigai, Onca Technologies, OSP Cyber Academy, and Validato. Your continued commitment to the sector makes this evening possible, and we are extremely grateful for your support.

From the UK and increasingly from our international colleagues, the stories we have received this year are both inspiring and humbling. They remind us why this work matters, and why it is a privilege to be part of this sector.

Our awards recognise those who go beyond statutory requirements, who innovate despite constraint, and who deliver benefits not only for their own communities, but for the wider public sector as well. I would like to thank all of our award winners for the work you do, and for taking the time to share your successes with us. And us at IESE, our promise is to continue to be your stage, your platform, your advocate, your cheerleader, and above all your partner in shaping better services. And we’ll do that together.

Annabelle Atkin, Chief Executive of IESE www.linkedin.com/in/ annabelle-atkin-128973101/

© Copyright IESE 2026

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Sponsorship GOLD Award Sponsor 2026 AppGuard is a next-generation endpoint protection solution, originally developed for the US Defence sector and now available to UK local government and commercial organisations through the Cyber Centre of Excellence. Unlike traditional anti-virus and anti-malware tools, AppGuard uses patented zero-trust technology to block all malicious actions at the kernel level, before they can cause harm. It provides robust, real-time protection against both known and unknown cyber threats, including zeroday attacks, without the need for constant updates or internet connectivity.

Developed in a military-grade environment, AppGuard has successfully defended against major cyber threats since 2020. Our team specialises in setting up and optimising AppGuard to ensure maximum protection.

To hear how other public sector organisations are using AppGuard and for more information, please contact enquiries@ccoe.org.uk or visit our website: https://ccoe.org.uk/appguard

Award Category Sponsors 2026 Supporting and Celebrating Sustainable Change in Public Services

connect organisations with experienced leaders who can offer stability, guidance, and help achieve measurable progress. Our focus on people, purpose, and culture ensures that change is practical, well-embedded, and sustainable.

For over twenty years, Ikigai® has partnered with public service organisations across the UK to strengthen leadership and support complex change.

We understand the challenges public services face, and the importance of creating lasting, peoplecentred services that genuinely deliver community impact.

By sponsoring this year’s Transformation Team of the Year award at the IESE Public Sector Transformation Awards, Ikigai® is pleased to celebrate the dedication, innovation, and commitment of organisations and individuals making a meaningful difference across public services.

Through our interim management, executive search, and consulting services, we

If you’d like to find out more about how Ikigai® can support your organisation, we’d be happy to connect. Please contact us at 020 3854 8800 or visit www.ikigai.org.uk

Onca Technologies specialises in cyber security and providing tailored solutions and defences for organisations across multiple industries, ranging from small businesses to large public bodies. Its primary mission is to help clients navigate the complex digital landscape through a robust focus on cybersecurity and operational efficiency. Founder Kurtis Toy, is vCISO and Chief Executive of the Cyber Centre of Excellence, further establishing the firm’s leadership in protecting local authorities and public sector bodies from emerging

digital threats. By combining technical support with advanced risk identification, Onca Technologies acts as a comprehensive partner for businesses seeking to protect their business as usual by remaining resilient against cyber attacks.

Validato is a next-generation Security Validation platform, designed to help organisations test and strengthen their resilience against the latest malware and ransomware threats. Validato enables IT and security professionals to safely simulate hundreds of real-world cyber threat scenarios, ranging from ransomware to the latest government threat advisories, without any risk of damage or disruption to operations.

an unbiased assessment of cyber risk posture, enabling rapid identification and remediation of security gaps. This approach strengthens compliance with regulatory and audit requirements while improving resilience against malware, ransomware, and other advanced threats. It also provides greater confidence when managing mergers, acquisitions, and third‑party risk, delivering actionable insights that support informed decision‑making across IT, security, and executive teams.

By conducting independent tests on your internal infrastructure, it allows for OSP Cyber Academy is a specialist cyber security and data protection training provider, designed to help organisations build capability, reduce cyber risk and strengthen digital resilience. Through NCSC‑assured eLearning, virtual and classroom‑based training, OSP equips staff, managers and practitioners with the knowledge needed to recognise threats, meet regulatory requirements and operate securely in an evolving threat landscape.

Beyond training, OSP provides independent advisory, assurance and governance

If you are interested in learning more about Onca Technologies and the many services they offer ranging from Business optimisation and data analysis to training campaigns and Security gap analysis, please contact enquiries@ccoe.org.uk or visit their website: https://oncatech.com/

For more information about Validato, please contact enquiries@ccoe.org.uk or visit our website: www.ccoe.org.uk/validato support, enabling organisations to embed security and data protection by design across people, processes and technology. This approach improves compliance, strengthens organisational resilience and supports confident decision‑making at board, operational and delivery levels, helping organisations operate, innovate and grow securely in the digital age.

For more information about E-Learning, Training and Board Courses please contact enquiries@ccoe.org.uk or visit our website: https://elearning.ccoe.org. uk/elearning/

IESE Awards Partners Partnership / collaboration

Residents

Cyber Security / resilience

Efficiency

As the leading representative body for adult social care providers in England, Care England advocates for providers of services for older people, those with long-term conditions, learning disabilities, or mental health issues. Their aim is create a more sustainable, highquality care sector. A long-standing partner of CareCubed, Care England offers its members discounts for CareCubed’s Cost of Care Platform as well as dedicated events to help promote adoption of the tool.

Green

Innovation / ideas

Lived experience

Care England seek to build greater sustainability within the care provider market.

Social Care

Having also recently partnered with the Cyber Centre of Excellence to improve cyber security across the care sector, they have collaborated to develop a White Paper and Care Protect package specifically tailored for the care industry. The partnership was initiated following increased ransomware attacks and data breaches impacting health and social care services, highlighting that cyber security is essential to safeguarding, business continuity, and patient care.

The partnership is a perfect marriage of values wherein CareCubed promotes transparency and fair cost of care between providers and commissioners, and

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AI in Public Services This award recognises the most impactful and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence in transforming local public services. They are able to demonstrate how AI has been applied to improve decision-making, enhance service delivery, reduce costs, or predict and meet community needs — all while ensuring transparency, accountability, and public trust. Projects include key factors such as automation, predictive analytics, natural language processing, or other AI-driven innovations that deliver measurable benefits to residents and communities.

AI

Transformation

Statistics

Partnership / collaboration

Residents

Cyber Security / resilience

Efficiency

GOLD WINNER: Derby City Council – Leading the AI Revolution in Local Government: The Derby City Council Story Derby City Council has pioneered the UK’s first unified AI operating model for local government, moving beyond isolated pilots to deliver organisation‑wide transformation. Working with ICS.AI, the council implemented a single platform spanning resident services, staff productivity, and back‑office operations.

This “AI for All” approach provides universal staff access alongside the UK’s first 24/7 AI contact centre, embedding ethical governance directly into platform configuration. The model has already identified £7.5m in savings while improving consistency and resilience across services. Derby’s work demonstrates that successful AI adoption requires a clear target operating model, not just the deployment of individual technologies, offering a replicable blueprint for the wider sector.

SILVER WINNER: North Somerset Council – AI Innovation Transforming SEND Services North Somerset Council’s children’s services have trailblazed an innovative digital AI approach to improving the delivery of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). By redesigning processes and embedding digital tools, the council has transformed performance in one of the most challenging areas of children’s services. As a result, over 95% of EHCPs are now completed on time, rising from 63.2% in 2021 to 96.1% in 2025, placing North Somerset among the top‑performing councils in the country and the highest in the South West. This compares to a UK average of 34.5%. The approach has since been successfully adopted by more than 30 other councils, demonstrating both impact and scalability across the sector.

BRONZE WINNER: Beam and Kent County Council, Adult Social Care – Restoring Human Connection: How Kent County Council and Beam use AI to Put People Before Paperwork Kent County Council has set a new benchmark for frontline care delivery through the pioneering adoption of Magic Notes, an AI-powered documentation tool developed by social enterprise Beam. Integrated across adult social care and occupational therapy services, the tool has transformed the way practitioners record and manage care interactions. By automating administrative tasks, Magic Notes has freed staff from paperwork, enabling them to spend an average of seven additional hours each week delivering meaningful, person‑centred care. This has led to a 34% improvement in conversation quality, supporting deeper relationships and better outcomes for people drawing on care and support. Following a highly successful testand-learn phase, the approach has now been scaled to over 1200 staff, demonstrating sector leadership in the responsible use of AI.

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Category

Best Transformation Team This award captures the exceptional focus and effort from a team who has made a significant contribution and long-term positive impact within their organisation, on their residents and communities. They have improved outcomes for their organisation, customers, and wider community through innovative transformation and continuous improvement. sponsored by This team has delivered the best possible services to their residents and service users by embedding strong values, culture and behaviours.

Transformation

Statistics

Partnership / collaboration

Residents

Cyber Security / resilience

Efficiency

Green

Innovation / ideas

GOLD WINNER: Hippo Digital and the Department for Education – DfE Eligibility Checking Engine Project Team: Empowering Schools and Transforming Public Service Eligibility The Department for Education’s Eligibility Checking Engine (ECE) team delivered a major transformation to replace the legacy service used to check eligibility for free school meals and childcare support. Over nearly two years, the team redesigned the service to increase checks, improve engagement, and boost uptake of vital support for families. A key innovation is the new school portal, which will enable schools to carry out eligibility checks directly once policy and legal approvals are finalised. The technical infrastructure is already in place, paving the way for faster access to support, the removal of local authority service charges, and an end to postcode-based variation. The programme demonstrates the power of aligning digital delivery with policy reform to deliver fairer outcomes at scale.

SILVER WINNER: London Borough of Hackney – Parking Policy and Projects Team Hackney Council’s Parking Policy and Projects Team is a small, high‑impact unit delivering sector‑leading transformation across parking, decarbonisation and community engagement.

The team has embedded a strong values‑driven culture, combining rigorous policy development with inclusive consultation and data‑led decision‑making.

Their Parking and Enforcement Plan 2022-27, independently recognised as the best in London, plays a central role in delivering Hackney’s ambition to achieve net zero emissions across all council functions by 2040. The work has supported significant reductions in high‑polluting vehicles, improved air quality, and fairer access for vulnerable groups. Multiple national awards and external commendations demonstrate how this innovative and resilient team delivers lasting benefits for residents and communities.

BRONZE WINNER: Derby City Council – From Derby to the DfT: A National Blueprint for Safer, Smarter Traffic Management Derby City Council has redefined traffic management by shifting away from punitive enforcement towards a person‑centred, education‑first approach. As the UK’s first local authority to use Moving Traffic Enforcement powers outside London and Wales, the council transformed persistent school‑gate safety issues into designated “Safe Havens. Guided by the TAP principle (Transparent, Accountable and Proportionate) the team combined innovative camera technology with clear public communication to deliver meaningful outcomes. This approach has reduced local NO₂ levels by almost 50%, while 89% of first‑time offenders do not reoffend. The model also generates £500,000 annually for reinvestment in local services, offering a nationally replicable blueprint for balancing road safety with community trust.

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Statistics

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Best Use of Digital, Technology and Data Insight Partnership / collaboration

Residents

Cyber Security / resilience

Efficiency

Green

Innovation / ideas

Lived experience

This award is for the innovative use of digital tools, technology, and data that have led to improved outcomes for their organisation, customers, and wider community. This could be from remodelling existing services, to creating totally new and dynamic services that have transformed the roll of the local public services and the way it supports its residents and communities. Within their submission, they have evidenced and highlighted their creative approach of managing and manipulating data to deliver outstanding results.

GOLD WINNER: Surrey County Council – Transforming the Surrey Fire & Rescue Data Landscape with Advanced Automation & Analytics Solutions Surrey County Council, working in partnership with Surrey Fire & Rescue Service, has delivered a series of transformative data automation and analytics solutions to modernise service delivery and introduce more intelligent, efficient business processes.

The programme has replaced manual reporting with fully automated, interactive data solutions across key operational areas. As a result, thousands of hours of staff time have been saved, allowing teams to refocus on supporting the needs and wellbeing of Surrey’s residents. Real‑time data on absence management, employee availability and appliance readiness is now accessible at the click of a button, improving decision‑making, resilience and operational confidence. This collaboration demonstrates how data‑driven automation can strengthen frontline services while delivering lasting organisational benefits.

SILVER WINNER: Runnymede Borough Council – Use of Digital, Technology and Data Insight Runnymede Borough Council has delivered sector‑leading digital transformation through a coordinated programme of innovation across key revenue and regulatory services. The council introduced five interconnected initiatives, including predictive analytics for debt recovery, robotic automation for Single Person Discount reviews, interactive Council Tax reminders, targeted welfare outreach through the Low Income Family Tracker, and modern parking technology with camera‑assisted enforcement. Together these projects combine data insight, automation and customer‑first design to deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, fairness and engagement. By embedding innovation alongside inclusivity and ethical data use, Runnymede has created a replicable benchmark for joined‑up, data‑driven service delivery, demonstrating how digital transformation can improve outcomes for both residents and the organisation.

BRONZE WINNER: NHS Property Services – NHS Open Space NHS Open Space is an award‑winning space management solution created by the NHS to make smarter use of healthcare estates and bring services closer to the communities that need them. The platform provides estate leaders with powerful digital tools to understand how space is used, manage it more effectively, and support better service delivery. For healthcare providers, NHS Open Space makes it simple to find and book flexible clinical and non‑clinical spaces across England, enabling services to be delivered where and when they are needed most. By unlocking underused capacity and improving access to local care, NHS Open Space maximises the value of NHS estates today while building a more flexible, community‑focused health system for the future.

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CareCubed Award This award recognises organisations that have used CareCubed, the National Care Costing Tool, to enhance transparency, efficiency, and collaboration in care commissioning and delivery. They are able to demonstrate measurable outcomes such as improved cost accuracy, stronger provider relationships, or more sustainable care models. Projects demonstrate how CareCubed has been embedded in teams, driven cost savings, and supported data-driven decision-making.

Carecubed

GOLD WINNER CHILDRENS SERVICES: Lancashire County Council – Embedding CareCubed to Drive Smarter Decision-Making Lancashire County Council was the first local authority to adopt CareCubed’s Children’s module, embedding it within commissioning processes to improve transparency and address rising placement costs. Since November 2022, this data‑driven approach has reshaped provider relationships and strengthened evidence‑based decision‑making across the service.The programme has delivered over £2 million in savings, supported by the appointment of a dedicated Market Analyst to benchmark fees and negotiate more effectively with providers. This has contributed to a reduction in the number of high‑cost homes and lower average weekly placement costs. Building on this success, the council is now applying the model to transform the SEND market, demonstrating sustained impact and a strong commitment to continuous improvement.

GOLD WINNER ADULTS SERVICES: Surrey County Council – CareCubed & the Cost Management Team Surrey County Council’s Adult Social Care Cost Management Team has transformed the approach to setting fair and sustainable care fees, using CareCubed to strengthen outcomes for residents while building trust with providers. Since 2019, the team has adopted a person‑centred, provider‑specific, evidence‑based model to ensure value for money and long‑term market sustainability. CareCubed training has been rolled out across social care teams in Surrey, empowering staff to manage complex cases and collaborate transparently with stakeholders. By continuously refining their approach using reliable, high‑quality data, the team demonstrates how intelligent cost management can improve both system resilience and resident wellbeing.

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Category

IESE Partnership Development Project This category recognises outstanding partnership development projects that have been initiated, enabled or supported through iESE, and which demonstrate the power of collaboration to deliver meaningful public service transformation.

Successful entries will evidence strong leadership, trust‑based working and a clear focus on delivering tangible outcomes that benefit organisations, residents and the wider public sector.

GOLD WINNER: Surrey County Council – AOSS & the Market and Brokerage Systems Team Born out of urgent pressures during the Covid‑19 pandemic, Surrey County Council’s in‑house Adults Outcome Sourcing System (AOSS) transformed adult social care brokerage from manual, fragmented processes into a streamlined digital service handling thousands of referrals and connecting hundreds of providers. Recognising the wider potential of this success, Surrey entered a strategic partnership with IESE to co‑design a next‑generation brokerage platform. Building on AOSS’s proven strengths, the new solution introduces cloud‑based architecture, configurable dashboards, real‑time provider capacity visibility and a roadmap for data‑driven insight. This partnership demonstrates innovation in action: starting small, scaling quickly and collaboratively, and setting new standards for transparency, efficiency and user experience in local public service delivery.

Cyber Security / resilience

Cyber Excellence and Resilience Award Efficiency

Green

Innovation / ideas

Lived experience

sponsored by

Social Care

International

Police Services

This category rewards successful initiatives that improve the overall security of their organisation. They have demonstrated exceptional commitment to strengthening their cyber resilience by embedding a culture of cyber security throughout their operations. The award recognises those who have proactively invested in robust security measures, delivered effective staff training, and promoted cyber knowledge at every level of the organisation.

GOLD WINNER: Gravesham Borough Council – IT Services – Excellence in Cyber Security Gravesham Borough Council has demonstrated sector‑leading excellence in cyber resilience through a comprehensive, authority‑wide transformation programme. Over a two‑year period, the council embedded cyber security as a core organisational value, investing in robust technology, strengthened governance, and mandatory training for both staff and elected members. Key achievements include the introduction of multi‑layered cyber defences, proactive threat monitoring, rapid incident response and a measurable reduction in phishing risk. Cyber governance is led at the highest level, supported by annual external validation and a commitment to continuous improvement. This cultural shift has ensured Gravesham is a well‑run, forward‑thinking authority, equipped to protect public services and sensitive data against an evolving threat landscape.

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Category

Partnership / collaboration

Collaboration & Partnership Award Residents

Cyber Security / resilience

Efficiency

Green

Innovation / ideas

Lived experience

Social Care

This category recognises the simplification of how residents and local businesses interact with public services by bringing together multiple contact points, removing barriers between organisations, and moving resources closer to the customer. It also celebrates strategic alliances, co-production with communities, and joint working between different sectors to achieve shared goals.

GOLD WINNER: Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council & Blaenau Gwent Borough Council – The Aspire Shared Apprenticeship Programme The Aspire Shared Apprenticeship Programme is a collaborative initiative between Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, designed to address regional engineering skills shortages while improving life chances for local people. Since its launch in 2017, Aspire has supported over 300 apprentices into high‑quality engineering and technical careers through an innovative shared apprenticeship model. By acting as the employer, Aspire removes barriers for businesses, particularly SMEs, while providing apprentices with consistent, high‑quality training, mentoring and pastoral support. This approach ensures continuity, wellbeing and progression for learners, while enabling employers to access skilled talent. Aspire demonstrates how local government‑led collaboration can deliver sustainable workforce development and lasting economic and social impact.

SILVER WINNER: Essex County Council – Nourishing Our Future – Innovation and Impact Through Collaboration Nourishing Our Future (NOF) is a pioneering collaboration between Essex County Council and Anglia Ruskin University, bringing together expertise in local government, research, public health and early years education to improve nutrition outcomes for young children across Essex. The programme responds to significant health challenges, including high levels of excess weight and tooth decay among young children. Through innovative research, co‑created solutions and strong multidisciplinary partnerships, NOF is delivering systemic change and influencing policy both locally and nationally. The programme improves nutrition education, empowers early years professionals and communities, and sets a national benchmark for best practice. Designed to be adaptable and scalable, NOF is engaging 1300 early years settings across the county, with the potential to benefit up to 40,000 children and families.

BRONZE WINNER: Public Sector Partnership Services – Assisted Self Service Public Sector Partnership Services (PSPS), jointly owned by South Holland, Boston Borough and East Lindsey District Councils, has delivered long‑term value through shared services, saving over £29 million since 2010 and now operating at £2.1 million less per year. As part of the South and East Lincolnshire Council Partnership, PSPS supports services for more than 300,000 residents across the three councils. More recently, PSPS has led a major digital transformation programme, replacing an outdated Microsoft Dynamics CRM and reshaping how residents access services. The Assisted Self Service initiative aligned telephony, face‑to‑face and digital channels, enabling multi‑site call handling and more consistent, data‑driven service delivery. This work demonstrates how shared services can drive efficiency while improving access, resilience and customer experience at scale.

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ration

Residents

Community + Customer Focus Award Cyber Security / resilience

Efficiency

Green

Innovation / ideas

Lived experience

Social Care

International

This award is for initiatives that reinvigorate the local community and deliver outstanding service to their customers. Through the use of asset management and regeneration, they have created opportunities for their local area by delivering proven benefits, greater resilience and less dependency on local public services. And they can clearly demonstrate the link between excellent customer service and improved service performance.

GOLD WINNER: Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service – Integrating Prevention, Education and Wellbeing for Safer Communities Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has transformed its prevention model by placing communities at the heart of safety and risk reduction. Through early intervention, cultural competence and strong partnership working, the Service now delivers joined‑up support that reduces risk, empowers residents and designs out future demand. Continuous learning underpins delivery, from more refined targeting to expanded community responder schemes and strengthened youth engagement. This approach has saved lives, supported vulnerable residents and built confident, resilient communities who are active partners in prevention rather than passive recipients of services. The work demonstrates how a modern fire and rescue service can move beyond response to deliver lasting, preventative impact through trust, collaboration and community enablement.

SILVER WINNER: Carmarthenshire County Council – Pentre Awel Canolfan Pentre Awel is Carmarthenshire’s flagship regeneration development, located on the Welsh coastline and designed to bring health, wellbeing, education, research, business innovation and community services together under one roof. The mixed‑use facility supports NHS services, university education, and provides flexible space for business start‑ups and growth. By encouraging active, healthier lifestyles while improving access to community healthcare and employment opportunities, Pentre Awel plays a vital role in stimulating economic growth across South West Wales. The development demonstrates what can be achieved when public, private and third sector partners share a common vision, representing a long‑term investment in sustainable regeneration, regional resilience and improved outcomes for local communities.

Congratulations Carmarthenshire County Council

BRONZE WINNER: Islington Parental Support Team – Parent/Carer Empowerment Champion Manager Islington Council’s Parental Support Project has developed and supported a network of exceptional Parent Empowerment Champions, providing peer‑to‑peer support as part of a public health approach to violence reduction.

The programme equips parents and carers with trusted information and the confidence to help keep young people safe within their communities. Parent Champions are leading a coordinated, parent‑led response to key challenges including knife harm, violence against women and girls, and poor school attendance. Since 2021, the programme has reached over 2250 parents and carers through co‑produced online webinars, school‑based workshops and community sessions. This work demonstrates the power of lived experience, trust and collaboration in delivering preventative, community‑driven solutions with lasting impact.

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Efficiency

Award for Efficiency and Effectiveness Green

Innovation / ideas

Lived experience

Social Care

International

Police Services

Fire Services

This organisation has harnessed the real potential in their organisation, delivering elevated performance, creating efficiencies, and delivering outstanding customer service with improved value to their residents.

Above all, this organisation has shown its ability to adapt to a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, while achieving fantastic results in doing so.

GOLD WINNER: Watford Borough Council – Leading Change, Shaping Place: Watford’s Story of Progress Watford Borough Council’s transformation story is defined by bold leadership, a clear vision and a strong culture of innovation. Guided by a forward‑thinking Mayor and Chief Executive, the council has empowered teams to challenge convention, adapt quickly and lead change with confidence. Working closely with national and regional partners, Watford aligns local ambition with wider strategic priorities, using collaboration to shape and respond to change. As local government reorganisation progresses, the council is taking a proactive role in defining what comes next, while safeguarding a legacy of innovation, success and community leadership. Watford’s bold, collaborative approach points to a resilient, inclusive and sustainable future, demonstrating how place‑based leadership can shape meaningful transformation.

SILVER WINNER: Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service – The Unwanted Fire Signals Reduction Project The Unwanted Fire Signals (UwFS) Reduction Project was established to address the high volume of false automatic fire alarm activations across Tyne and Wear, which had resulted in more than 44,000 unnecessary mobilisations over the past decade. What began as an exploration of a charging model evolved into a strategic, service‑wide approach focused on compliance with the Fire Safety Order, behavioural change and efficiency. Launched in April 2025 and now embedded into business as usual, the project supports the Service’s Community Risk Management Plan by reducing avoidable demand and improving operational availability. Aligned with National Fire Chiefs Council best practice, the approach demonstrates how prevention‑led reform can deliver sustainable efficiency while strengthening frontline resilience.

BRONZE WINNER: Birmingham City Council – The Foundry The Birmingham Digital Foundry is Birmingham City Council’s organisation‑wide engine for transformation, designed to deliver efficiency and effectiveness at pace while building long‑term capability. In less than two years, the Foundry has moved from concept to a fully operational delivery model, supporting transformation across the organisation. To date, the Foundry has delivered 39 initiatives, generating savings of over £300,000, freeing up staff time and strengthening service resilience. Its people‑centred approach combines rapid service redesign, automation and digital upskilling, empowering staff to lead change themselves. Operating through an open and collaborative model, the Foundry is now recognised as a practical blueprint for public sector innovation and continuous improvement.

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Green Public Service Award This category recognises, rewards and promotes environmental best practice across the public sector in the UK. This organisation has shown how they have helped the environment by driving sustainability not only in their organisation, but in their surrounding local area, and have improved the quality of life and well-being of their local residents.

Green

Innovation / ideas

Lived experience

Social Care

International

Police Services

Fire Services

GOLD WINNER: Watford Borough Council – Embedding Sustainability Across Place, People and Infrastructure in Watford This project sets out Watford Borough Council’s approach to driving sustainability across its operations and the wider community. It reflects a council that leads through practical action, strong collaboration and a determination to deliver results that improve quality of life for residents. Watford’s environmental work is shaped by a simple reality: as a small, urban borough, it faces significant constraints, with limited land and space for new infrastructure. Rather than seeing this as a barrier, the council has responded with focus, partnership and determination, embedding sustainability into decision‑making across place, people and infrastructure. The work demonstrates how ambition, collaboration and local leadership can deliver meaningful environmental outcomes even in the most challenging urban contexts.

SILVER WINNER: East Ayrshire Council – Recycling Hubs in East Ayrshire East Ayrshire Council delivered an innovative, resident‑designed recycling hubs programme to address long‑standing inequality in recycling access across 47 communal housing blocks. By bringing design and manufacture in‑house and working closely with residents, the council co‑produced bespoke, modular recycling hubs tailored to local needs and site constraints. The hubs are easy to use, reduce contamination and have improved recycling performance, while restoring confidence and access for residents who had previously been excluded from recycling services.

Supported by Zero Waste Scotland funding, the initiative demonstrates high‑quality delivery through collaboration and innovation. It has also built staff capability and delivered measurable environmental and financial benefits, providing a scalable model for tackling service inequality and supporting a circular economy.

BRONZE WINNER: London Borough of Hackney – Green Kerb: Delivering Climate Action Through Hackney’s Parking Enforcement Plan 2022-27 Hackney Council’s Parking and Enforcement Plan (PEP) 2022-27, delivered through the Green Kerb approach, embeds environmental sustainability into everyday parking and traffic enforcement. By using the kerbside as a lever for change, the council integrates climate action directly into policy, operations, pricing and communications.

Through data‑led enforcement across low‑traffic neighbourhoods, school streets and traffic filters, alongside emissions‑based charging, last‑mile delivery permits and active community engagement, the programme has reduced emissions, improved air quality, protected biodiversity and created safer, healthier streets. With over 8,000 residents engaged, the work prioritises equity, accessibility and wellbeing, while demonstrating how practical, place‑based action can deliver measurable environmental and social outcomes and shared learning across the sector.

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Category

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Award for Innovation This category is for developing and bringing to market new innovative technologies, facilities or services that can transform the delivery of a local public service. They are able to show the success of innovative ways of working, and the improvement it’s made to their customers and community.

This category is not only open to the public sector but also to private or third sector organisations.

Innovation / ideas

Lived experience

Social Care

International

Police Services

Fire Services

Councils

Carecubed

GOLD WINNER: Cheshire West Heritage Protection Group – Chester Rows Fire Protection Project The Chester Rows Fire Protection Project safeguards the world‑famous 12th‑century black‑and‑white timber buildings that define the historic Chester Rows. To address the unique fire risks posed by these interconnected structures, the project installed an innovative early fire‑warning aspirating smoke detection system, commonly used in the aerospace industry and believed to be a world‑first in an outdoor heritage environment. The Rows span four city‑centre streets, encompass 95 listed buildings and host over 200 shops, eateries, homes, offices and visitor accommodation, with more than 350 individual property owners. This complex layout creates exceptional fire‑risk challenges.

Simply put, what makes the Chester Rows so special is also their greatest vulnerability — and this project provides a pioneering model for protecting heritage assets at scale.

SILVER WINNER: Humberside Police – Operation Streamline Operation Streamline has transformed frontline policing by removing unnecessary bureaucracy and duplication, enabling officers to focus on investigations and victim care. Through an innovative, staff‑led approach supported by technology, the initiative placed frontline insight at the heart of operational change. The programme has delivered a 29% permanent reduction in administrative tasks, saving hundreds of hours each month and significantly improving morale across the force. With 332 ideas submitted and implemented, changes have ranged from system upgrades to policy reform, embedding a culture of continuous improvement. Now fully embedded, Operation Streamline is recognised as a blueprint for modern policing, delivering measurable efficiency, improved outcomes and strong interest from policing organisations across the sector.

BRONZE WINNER: Plymouth City Council – Supported Internships Plymouth City Council has transformed the Supported Internship landscape for young people with SEND by pioneering a new partnership model with Independent Training Providers and introducing a unique £16.5k fixed funding approach. This innovation has created a sustainable framework that supports growth, quality and choice across the city. The impact has been exceptional.

Supported Internship placements have increased from just nine in 2023 to 109 by 2025, representing more than a tenfold rise, while provider capacity has expanded from one to seven active providers. One standout provider, Discovery College, has achieved a 100% success rate, enabling every participant to progress into ambitious, meaningful employment aligned with their aspirations.

The programme demonstrates how bold commissioning and partnership can unlock opportunity at scale.

Issue #3 | March 2026 | The Public Catalyst - Public Sector Transformation Awards 2026 | #IESEAwards2026

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Category

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Lived experience

Lived Experience and Dual Aspect Award Social Care

International

Police Services

Fire Services

Councils

Carecubed

This brand-new category celebrates and acknowledges the importance and impact of individuals and organisations that lead with a Lived Experience/ Dual Perspective. This award highlights those that use a lived and learned experience to have positive impact on Children’s or Adult’s services and/or the people they support.

GOLD WINNER ADULTS: Isaac Samuels OBE Isaac Samuels OBE draws on their lived experience as a disabled, racialised and queer person living well with HIV to transform public services. Their leadership bridges health, social care, policing, academia and research, ensuring systems recognise people as whole human beings rather than service users. As the first lived‑experience co‑chair of the All‑Party Parliamentary Working Group on Adult Social Care, Isaac has shaped national policy by embedding co‑production and anti‑racist practice. They facilitate cross‑sector initiatives, mentor emerging leaders and empower marginalised people to tell their own stories, using authentic voices to reshape policy and practice. For over 25 years, Isaac has cut across silos, championed inclusion and built a lasting legacy of empowerment, dignity and compassionate public service.

GOLD WINNER CHILDRENS: The Care Leaders – A Connected Model for Transforming Care: Training, Fellowship, Lived Experience and System Change The Care Leaders, led by care‑experienced CEO Luke Rodgers BEM, has transformed children’s social care by positioning lived experience as strategic leadership rather than consultation. Through four integrated initiatives, CPD‑accredited online training, keynote delivery, a 12‑month Fellowship for care‑experienced leaders, and system‑transformation consultancy, the organisation bridges the gap between theory and practice.

Reaching over 1,500 practitioners nationally, The Care Leaders has delivered measurable reform, including a 70% reduction in restraint and lasting improvements in workforce capability and culture. By embedding authentic care experience at the heart of leadership and decision‑making, the organisation demonstrates how lived experience can drive sustainable system change and better outcomes for children and young people.

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Category

Social Care

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Transformation in Health & Social Care Award International

Police Services

Fire Services

Councils

Carecubed

This organisation has highlighted the greatest impact for customers of health and social care, through the successful launch of creative and forward-thinking services for children, young people or adults. Submissions can be based upon transforming access to services, remodelling the service itself, or integrating different services and partners.

GOLD WINNER: Gravesham Borough Council – Active Engagement in Gravesham Gravesham faces significant health inequalities, ranking as the fifth most deprived district in Kent, with 16.9% of residents living in absolute poverty and two wards among the most deprived in England. Life expectancy varies by 10.8 years for men and 7.6 years for women, while 40% of Year 6 pupils are classified as overweight or obese. In response, Gravesham has adopted a collaborative, partnership‑led approach to dismantle entrenched inequalities through a wide range of health and physical activity interventions. Working across sectors and communities, the council is delivering bold, evidence‑based change that prioritises prevention, inclusion and long‑term wellbeing. The programme sets a benchmark for place‑based health improvement, driven by a clear mission: to give every resident the chance to live a healthier and longer life.

SILVER WINNER: Norfolk County Council – Norfolk Institute for Practice Excellence The Norfolk Institute for Practice Excellence (NIPE) is a pioneering multidisciplinary team within Norfolk County Council Adult Social Services, driving transformation in workforce development since 2016. Originally established to support Newly Qualified Social Workers through their Assessed and Supported Year in Practice (ASYE), NIPE has evolved into a dynamic hub of innovation and collaboration. By introducing initiatives such as the Occupational Therapy Preceptorship, International Social Work Support, and the Assistant Practitioner Development Programme, NIPE has redefined professional growth pathways across social care. Through flexibility, creativity and a strong person‑centred ethos, the team sets new standards for practice excellence, empowering practitioners and strengthening the quality and resilience of adult social care delivery for residents across Norfolk.

BRONZE WINNER: NHS Humber Health Partnership – ED Violence Prevention Navigator Programme The ED Navigator Service at Hull Royal Infirmary is a pioneering initiative tackling serious violence through traumainformed care at a critical “reachable moment.” Launched in late 2024, it embeds specialist Navigators within adult and paediatric emergency departments to provide immediate support and onward referrals for housing, mental health, and safeguarding.

Working with the VCSE and multi-agency partners, the service has improved ISTV compliance, handled over 300 violence-related cases, and supported more than 52 individuals since April 2025 – Dec 2025. By integrating prevention into emergency care, this model sets new standards for collaborative public service delivery and offers a scalable blueprint for reducing harm and promoting resilience.

Issue #3 | March 2026 | The Public Catalyst - Public Sector Transformation Awards 2026 | #IESEAwards2026

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Category

International

International Emergency Services of the Year 2026 Police Services

Fire Services

Councils

Carecubed

The International Emergency Service of the Year is a brand new category that recognising outstanding delivery of emergency services to residents that need support at a time that they need it most.

WINNER: Dubai Police & Dubai Police Academy Dubai Police and the Dubai Police Academy jointly delivered a comprehensive programme of digital innovation that strengthens emergency services from training through to frontline operations. The Dubai Police Academy achieved 100% digital transformation by digitising 220 services and embedding AI‑enabled learning, predictive analytics, blockchain certification and modern device management across its education systems. In parallel, Dubai Police introduced two world‑leading operational innovations: a rapid drug‑testing cup with secure digital reporting, cutting costs by over 75% and reducing processing time to minutes, and an immersive VR Crime Scene Investigation programme. The VR initiative improved assessment scores by 32.8%, real‑world performance by 57.2% and reduced training costs by 76%. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how joint leadership, advanced technology and workforce development can deliver measurable gains in efficiency, accuracy and public‑safety outcomes at scale.

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Category

International

International Public Body of the Year 2026 Police Services

Fire Services

Councils

Carecubed

The International Public Body of the Year is the ultimate award recognising outstanding public sector transformation on a global scale. It celebrates an organisation that has delivered exceptional services, innovation, and measurable impact for communities around the world.

WINNER: Ministry of Health and Wellness, Jamaica Persistent stigma continues to limit open discussion and early help-seeking around mental health in Jamaica, particularly among young people. In response, the Ministry of Health & Wellness has advanced ‘Do Your Share’ as a sustained, community-driven approach to normalising mental wellness and encouraging shared responsibility. Using visible symbols such as the Wellness Bench, structured schoolbased engagements, and clear links to national support services, the initiative has created safe spaces for dialogue and connection. Recent official reporting confirms growing national demand for Wellness Benches and increased utilisation of the Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Helpline, reflecting meaningful progress in reducing stigma and strengthening access to care.

Issue #3 | March 2026 | The Public Catalyst - Public Sector Transformation Awards 2026 | #IESEAwards2026

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Category

Fire Services

UK Fire & Rescue Service of the Year 2026 Councils

Carecubed

The UK Fire & Rescue Service of the Year is the pinnacle award for excellence in fire and rescue. It recognises a service that has transformed operations, improved safety, and delivered outstanding impact for the communities it serves.

WINNER: County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) is more than an emergency service; it is a family of dedicated people who care deeply about the communities they serve. Defined by its people, powered by innovation and strengthened through independent scrutiny, the Service consistently delivers outstanding performance. CDDFRS is the fastest predominantly rural fire and rescue service in England, and in the most recent inspection cycle HMICFRS rated the Service Outstanding in its ability to protect the public through fire regulation. These results place CDDFRS among the best‑performing fire and rescue services nationally and reflect a culture that welcomes scrutiny, learns from feedback and turns insight into measurable, continuous improvement for the communities it protects.

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Category

Police Services

UK Police Service of the Year 2026 Fire Services

Councils

Carecubed

The UK Police Service of the Year is the highest accolade for policing excellence. It celebrates a service that has transformed operations, enhanced public safety, and delivered measurable benefits for the communities it protects.

WINNER: Police Scotland Police Scotland have designed its first current and target operating models, giving the organisation a clear, shared understanding of how it works and how it can improve. Beginning in 2023 with an open, three‑day design jam, the work brought together officers and staff from across the organisation, followed by workshops and interviews spanning teams and functions. The models enable departments to review ways of working and address challenges using service‑design principles. By creating space for conversations that rarely happen, the initiative has broken down silos, reduced duplication and strengthened collaboration. Built from the ground up, the models have improved cross‑team working, increased engagement in organisational mindset programmes, and equipped officers and staff with practical tools to deliver better outcomes for communities across Scotland.

Issue #3 | March 2026 | The Public Catalyst - Public Sector Transformation Awards 2026 | #IESEAwards2026

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Category

Councils

UK Council of the Year 2026 Carecubed

This award is presented to a Council deemed outstanding in transforming its services and creating vibrant communities.

WINNER: Lichfield District Council Lichfield District Council demonstrates daily what the future of local government can look like: agile, commercially-minded, resident-led and delivering exceptional outcomes despite financial constraint. Since 2021, they have transformed their culture, leadership and performance, redesigned failing services, rebuilt our housing offer, and created LWM – a trading company that has rapidly grown from £500k to £6m turnover while transforming key services. Under LD2050, 87% of their actions are on track. Award-winning social value, planning reform, regeneration, and longterm place leadership underpin a council punching far above its weight and offering a blueprint for the sector.

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Category

Hall of Fame Award 2026 The IESE Hall of Fame was introduced in 2024, to act as a hallmark to recognise organisations that have consistently aimed for excellence and have met several criteria. These include consistent success over 5 years or more in the iESE Awards, transformation programmes at a community-enablement level, evidence of bleeding-edge innovation, and more wider contributions such as contribution to IESE’s ongoing research programme.

WINNER: County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service County Durham and Darlington have consistently excelled over the years creating key lessons for the sector. They have now won a total of 7 IESE Awards over the years, for various categories but most importantly they have won UK Fire and Rescue Service of the Year 4 times, an incredible achievement! It gives me great pleasure to induct County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service into the Hall of Fame.

Issue #3 | March 2026 | The Public Catalyst - Public Sector Transformation Awards 2026 | #IESEAwards2026

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Gallery 2026

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#IESEAwards2026 | The Public Catalyst - Public Sector Transformation Awards 2026 | March 2026 | Issue #3

Gallery 2026

Issue #3 | March 2026 | The Public Catalyst - Public Sector Transformation Awards 2026 | #IESEAwards2026

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Gallery 2026

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#IESEAwards2026 | The Public Catalyst - Public Sector Transformation Awards 2026 | March 2026 | Issue #3

Gallery 2026

Issue #3 | March 2026 | The Public Catalyst - Public Sector Transformation Awards 2026 | #IESEAwards2026

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