Inspire Justice Awards 2025 finalists revealed
The Inspire Justice Awards shine a light on the incredible individuals and teams within the wider justice sector workforce, who often go unrecognised for the work they do to help keep our criminal justice system running smoothly. These awards are delivered by Skills for Justice, in partnership with Police Oracle, HM Courts and Tribunal Service, SFJ Awards and Community Trade Union.
The Inspire Justice Awards has 11 categories in total, including two new additions – the Digital Innovation Award, and the Civil Contingences and Resilience Award – with 22 finalists shortlisted by our expert panel of judges.
All our finalists have been contacted and invited to attend a glittering awards ceremony, which is taking place on Thursday 25 September at the QEII Centre in London. Hosted by renowned television presenter and former police officer Rav Wilding and attended by leaders from across the whole justice system, this promises to be a special day of celebration for our amazing awardees.
Our finalists for 2025 are…
Apprentice of the Year
Jade Boyd, Youth Offending Team Worker, Plymouth City Council
Moray Ross, Police Community Support Officer, Northumbria Police
Civil Contingencies and Resilience Award
Michael Needham, Head of Education & Skills, New Generation Training and Consultancy Limited
Eleanor Parker, UKRA Transition Lead, UK Resilience Academy
Community Safety and Rehabilitation Award
Bex O’Gorman
TurnAround Programme
Courts and Tribunals Service Staff
Jonathan Metcalfe, Crown Court Delivery Manager, HMCTS
Natalie Walker, Acting Operations Manager, HMCTS
Custody and Detention Staff Member of the Year
Amber O’Brien, Head of Pharmacy, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Jamie Williams, Enrichment Manager, Parc Prison
Digital Innovation Award
Exercise OAK APPLE Team
The Growth Company/Digital College
Educator of the Year
Leadership Unlocked Team, Scottish Prison Service
Mel O’Dwyer, Hospitality & Catering Tutor, PeoplePlus
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year
Restorative Justice for All International Institute
St Giles Trust
Inspectorate Staff Member of the Year
Richard Avis, Inspection Officer, HMICFRS
Sandra Fieldhouse, Team Leader, HMI Prisons
Policing Staff Member of the Year
Jane Coombes, Policy Change Implementation Manager, Kent Police
Nicola Dubay-Goodman and Adam Polkey, Senior Justice Gateway Officers, Thames Valley Police
Voluntary and Community Impact Award
Alana House, Parents and Children Together (PACT)
Be Part of Change CIC
Award presenters
Notable people from across the justice sector will be in attendance to present the awards:
- Matthew Scott – Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners
- Tom Wheatley – President, Prison Governor’s Association
- Daniel Flury – Operations Director, HMCTS
- Keith Fraser – Chari, Youth Justice Board for England and Wales
- Steve Gillan – National Secretary, Prison Officer’s Association
- Michelle Skeer – HM Inspector, HMICFRS
- Gavin Miller – National Secretary, Community
- Michelle Jarman-Howe – Director General Operations, HMPPS
- Tiff Lynch – National Chair, Police Federation
- Allan Fairley – Vice Chair (Justice and Emergency Services), TechUK
- Rachel Williams – Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police
In September at the awards ceremony, we will reveal which of our remarkable finalists are our category winners and who are our highly commended runners up. Congratulations to all our finalists!
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Inspire Justice Awards 2026
Do you know an unsung hero of the justice sector? Why not nominate them for next year’s Inspire Justice Awards? Register on the Skills for Justice website to find out when nominations open.