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Top Civil Servants Honoured in London Ceremony 

27 November 2008
CAB/112/08

Civil servants from across the country have been honoured by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretary in the third annual Civil Service awards.

The awards recognise exceptional performance across government and were presented in 12 categories ranging from an award for innovation to an award for delivering good value for money. 

Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell, who presented the awards, also chose the overall team and individual winners.

Civil Servant of the year was awarded to Emma Hopkins from the Home Office for the leadership she has shown in establishing the ‘Virtual Trafficking Team’. This team brings together officials from the Home Office, Ministry of Justice and UK Border Agency to tackle human trafficking.

The UK Embassy team in the Congo took the title of Civil Service team of the year. They have played a key role in helping to co-ordinate efforts to bring greater stability, democracy and development to the Congo in the challenging circumstances of civil conflict.

 Gordon Brown, Prime Minister and Minister for the Civil Service said:

"The Civil Service awards are a showcase for the achievements of people who work hard everyday to serve the public.  I am delighted to have the opportunity to add my personal thanks to all those civil servants who work so diligently, often behind the scenes, to provide effective services across the country.

"The winners remind us why the UK Civil Service has a world class reputation and it’s right that we recognise and reward their hard work.  I congratulate all the winners."

Sir Gus O’Donnell, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service said:

"The Civil Service awards highlight the depth of talent that exists across government and shows that the modern Civil Service is a place of great ideas, efficient delivery and skilled individuals committed to the highest standards of public service.

"Emma Hopkins is an outstanding and highly driven individual who’s leadership of the ‘Virtual Trafficking Team’ shows what can be achieved when departments across government work together to bring about change."

"The team from the UK Embassy in Congo are doing an incredible job in very challenging circumstances. The have shown great dedication and are a shining example of why the UK Civil Service is so highly respected."

David Miliband, Foreign Secretary said:

"This year has been a difficult year for the Democratic Republic of Congo and for Embassy staff. That makes their achievements and the recognition that they are the Civil Service team of the year still more impressive. I saw first hand their commitment and professionalism when I visited in November - they fully deserve the award and wider recognition.
 
"The Foreign Office works best when it delivers for the whole of government. It is clear that this has been working in the DRC, where the cross-departmental team has added real value and impact. That collaboration will be ever more important as we work for peace in the DRC in the months ahead."

Notes to editors

1. The Civil Service Awards were funded through the sponsorship of Whitehall and Westminster World in association with Ernst and Young.
   
2. Civil Servants from all departments were eligible for the awards and entries were received from across the country.
   
3. The 12 category winners are:

• The Procurement Award
  Centre for Procurement Performance (Department for Children Schools and Families.)
• The Knowledge Management and Analysis Award
  Places Database Team (Department of Communities and Local Government.)
• The Public Value Award
  The Planning Portal (Department Communities and Local Government.)
• The Leadership Award
  Emma Hopkins (Home Office)
• The Financial Management
  FM Shared Service Centre (Ministry of Defence)
• The Operational Delivery Award
  MOT Computerisation (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency)
• The Science and Technology Award
  Plant Health & Seeds Inspectors (PHSI) and the Central Science
  Laboratory (CSL) Plant Health Scientists (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs)
• The Innovation Award
  Army OP TELIC 11 LAG (Ministry of Defence)
• The Communication Award
  Tobacco Control Marketing Team (Department of Health)
• The HR, Learning and Development Award
  Centre for Applied Learning Corporate Projects (Northern Ireland Civil Service)
• The Joined-Up Government Award
  Nick Kay, Phil Marker and Tim Woodman - British Embassy, Kinshasa 
  (Department for International Development, Ministry of Defence and Foreign Office)
• The Project and Programme Management Award
  The UK Borders Agency International Group Biometrics Programme (Home Office)
• The Winners of the Cabinet Secretary’s Award:
  Individual Award- Emma Hopkins – Home Office
  Team Award- Nick Kay, Phil Marker and Tim Woodman - British Embassy,
  Kinshasa (Department for International Development, Ministry of Defence and Foreign Office)

4. Press enquiries about individual winners should be directed to the press office at 
   the winners department.
5. Photographs of all winners are available.

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