The achievements of civil servants from across the UK were celebrated by Lord Mandelson, First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, and Sir Gus O’Donnell, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service, at the fourth annual Civil Service Awards on Tuesday 17 November.
The Civil Service Awards, organised by Civil Service World in association with Ernst & Young, are the showcase for innovation and improvement across government.
There were 15 winners from 39 shortlisted candidates. They included a team from the Highways Agency who managed the widening of the M1 motorway leading to 64 per cent fewer serious injuries, an innovative project that has reduced the environmental impact caused by the disposal of prison bed mattresses and a team working to prevent British people being forced into marriage in Pakistan.
There were two winners of the coveted Cabinet Secretary Award, which is personally chosen by Sir Gus O’Donnell.
One of the winners was Lori Chilton, Head of the Interventions and Substance Misuse Group at the Ministry of Justice, who revolutionised the delivery of drug treatment programmes across the prison service. She also battled with the re-emergence of cancer this year, but still managed to work with the same drive and pace.
For the first time, Gus chose to award a second award to a whole organisation when he gave it to Jobcentre Plus for its work helping people out of work as a result of the recession.
“These awards highlight the Civil Service’s commitment to encouraging innovation and excellence while providing the best public services and value for money for the public.
“All the winners are brilliant but it is a particular pleasure to present the overall team prize to JobCentre Plus. In a year when the demand on the services they provide has soared, their work has been outstanding,” Gus said.
Lord Mandelson, First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, also attended the event.
He said: “The Civil Service Awards are a showcase for the achievements of skilled individuals, working on the frontline, delivering world class services to the public.
“The winners remind us of the hard work civil servants around the country are doing every day, such as JobCentre Plus staff, dealing with the local consequences of the global recession and making sure everyone has the help they need.”
This year’s shortlist was chosen from more than 800 entries - proof that the awards are becoming an increasingly important part of the Civil Service calendar.
Civil Service Awards, 17 November 2009
