Judges
Our awards are guided by a distinguished panel of judges, comprising respected leaders, innovators, and experts in their respective fields. With diverse backgrounds and a shared commitment to excellence, they bring integrity, insight, and experience to the evaluation process. Each submission is carefully reviewed to ensure that only the most deserving are recognised.
Click the images below to learn more about our award judges.
Council of the Year
Cllr Abi Brown OBE
Cllr Abi Brown is a nationally recognised local government leader with over a decade of service on Stoke-on-Trent City Council, including eight years as deputy leader and then leader. She spearheaded transformative initiatives, including the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone, the city’s City of Culture 2021 bid, and the Fostering Friendly City campaign. Cllr Brown secured over £100 million in Levelling Up funding and led major civil service relocations, highlighting the impact of local leadership on national policy. A prominent voice in the Local Government Association (LGA), she currently serves as deputy leader of the LGA Conservative Group and deputy chair of the LGA. In 2024, Cllr Brown was awarded an OBE for services to local government. She is also a non-executive director at Homes England and a trustee of Localis.
Chris Haine
Chris Haine is chief executive of the Gloucestershire Association of Local Councils (GALC), where he leads the organisation's work supporting parish and town councils through advice, training, professional development and representation. He brings extensive experience from central government alongside a strong background in human resources, people development, mediation and organisational support, and previously served as clerk at Coleford Town Council. At GALC, he works closely with councils and sector partners to strengthen governance, develop councillors and clerks, and ensure Gloucestershire's councils have a strong voice, including contributing nationally to work on civility and respect in the sector.
James Holden
James Holden leads public affairs for the County Councils Network, overseeing engagement with parliamentarians, advisers, and senior officials. With a background in politics and experience across multiple sectors, he combines strong communication skills with in-depth policy insight to effectively represent member councils. He has supported senior leaders with political intelligence, strategy development, and high-level briefings and has contributed to national and regional policy work.
Amria Khatun
Amria Khatun is the neighbourhood governance lead at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), where she works on policy to strengthen neighbourhood governance and empower communities. She brings extensive experience across central and local government, having previously worked for Bradford Council for 15 years in community-focused roles before joining MHCLG, where her work has included community integration, engagement and neighbourhood policy. With a strong background in working directly with communities and local government, Amria brings practical insight into how national policy can support effective local leadership, community participation and stronger neighbourhoods.
Simon Miller
Simon Miller is the schemes development director at Clear Insurance Management. He has more than 20 years' experience in the insurance industry. Simon has extensive expertise in commercial insurance, risk management and developing tailored cover for organisations across a range of sectors. He works closely with clients to understand their operations and exposures, helping them navigate complex insurance requirements and secure appropriate protection.
Councillor of the Year
Michael Burton
Michael Burton is the editorial director of The MJ and a leading commentator on local government and the wider public sector, having written and reported on the sector for more than 25 years. Michael regularly speaks at and chairs public sector conferences and is the author of three books examining public sector reform, austerity and British politics, including The Lost Decade: Britain from Bust to Brexit. His extensive experience gives him a deep understanding of the political, financial and organisational challenges facing local government and public services.
Jonathan Carr-West
Jonathan Carr-West leads on all aspects of the think tank’s policy, membership and influencing work. With over 15 years of experience, Jonathan is a leading national expert on local government transformation, local democracy, and public services. Some of his particular interests are participative democracy, the evolving nature of public services, and devolution. With an extensive media profile and sector credibility, he has published on topics as diverse as localism and public service transformation, cognitive and behavioural science, and the politics of cultural memory.
Paul Hoey
Paul Hoey has over 20 years of experience in central government policy, including a decade as director of strategy and stakeholder relations at Standards for England. Recognised as a national expert on the local government standards framework, he has advised local authorities, government bodies, and parliamentary committees. He brings deep knowledge of parliament, strong political insight, and expertise in ministerial communications, policy development, and stakeholder engagement.
James Hood
James Hood is the director of the Local Councils' Network (LCN), the collective voice for England's district and unitary councils, providing strategic policy, operational oversight and sector advocacy on issues affecting local government. He joined the LCN in September 2021 after an extensive senior career in civil service, including roles at the former Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities where he served as joint director of housing strategy and markets, director of building safety and remediation and deputy director of local authority housing, and earlier policy and strategy positions at the Ministry of Justice and HM Treasury. James also brings private‑sector experience from his early career as a strategy consultant. In his current role, he works with local authorities, national stakeholders and partners to influence policy and advance the interests of district councils at national and regional levels, drawing on his deep insight into public policy, governance and local government delivery.
Annabel Mullin
Annabel Mullin the director of communications at Elect Her, a non-partisan organisation working to increase women's representation in political office across Britain. She is an experienced political campaigner, communications strategist and advocate for a more representative democracy, with particular expertise in supporting women to navigate political campaigning and elected office. Through Elect Her, Annabel helps equip women from across the political spectrum with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to stand for election, while contributing to wider national conversations about the barriers to political participation. She is also an experienced campaign adviser and trainer, supporting prospective candidates with campaign strategy and communications.
Young Councillor of the Year
Jim Babbington OBE
Jim Babbington OBE is a seasoned civic and ceremonial expert, currently serving as one of two vice-chairs of the National Association of Civic Officers, where he plays a pivotal role in steering training programs and events for civic officers across the UK. With a distinguished career in public service, Jim served as chief of staff to the mayors of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. He now advises central government, local authorities, and other agencies on national ceremonial matters and civic event management, drawing on extensive experience. In recognition of his leadership during the State Funeral of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Jim was awarded an OBE in the 2023 Birthday Honours. He also holds the ceremonial title of Deputy Lieutenant for Surrey.
Lasharne Bent
Lasharne Bent is the youth voice and influence programme manager at the National Youth Agency (NYA) and a Joint Negotiating Committee-qualified youth and community development worker with extensive experience across youth work, formal education and the charity sector. She leads the NYA's internal youth leadership and voice strategy and the Hear by Right assessment, supporting organisations to embed meaningful youth participation and influence in their work. Lasharne also brings experience in project management, mentoring, strategy development and creating online professional development programmes. She is particularly passionate about racial justice, cultural competence, diversity and inclusion, and ensuring young people's lived experiences are recognised and reflected in youth work and decision-making.
Catherine Needham
Catherine Needham is Professor of Public Policy and Director of Research in the School of Social Policy at the University of Birmingham, where she leads research and teaching in public policy, health and social care systems, and public management. Her work focuses on democratic governance, public service reform, and the role of citizen and community participation in shaping policy and practice, combining empirical research with theoretical insight to address contemporary challenges in public administration. Catherine has published widely on governance, accountability and innovation in public services, and her research influence spans academic, policy and practitioner audiences. She contributes extensively to national and international debates on strengthening public institutions and improving outcomes in health, social care and local government, underpinning her position as a leading voice in her field.
Remi Olokun
Remi Olokun is the social media manager at My Life My Say, a youth-led, non-partisan charity dedicated to amplifying youth voices and engaging young people from underrepresented communities in decision-making processes. In this role, Remi is responsible for developing and executing the organisation's social media strategies, creating engaging content, and fostering online communities to promote civic engagement among young people.
Joanie Willett
Associate professor at the University of Exeter and co-director of the Institute of Cornish Studies, Joanie Willett, specialises in regional development, local governance, and rural economies. Her research explores the relationships between communities and their environments, with a focus on sustainable local economies. She has contributed to parliamentary inquiries and has published widely on rural politics and development. A proud Cornishwoman, Joanie leads projects promoting local career pathways and economic resilience in Cornwall.
Climate Response of the Year
Hannah Baker
Hannah Baker is the programme manager for Communities Prepared at Groundwork South, a national initiative dedicated to enhancing community resilience across England. With a strong background in community development and emergency planning, Hannah leads the delivery of training and support to community groups, empowering them to prepare for, respond to, and recover from various emergencies, including flooding, storms, and other climate-related events. Her work involves collaborating with local authorities, voluntary organisations, and other stakeholders to build capacity and ensure communities are equipped to handle emergencies effectively. Hannah's commitment to community resilience is evident in her role, where she oversees the implementation of programs that foster safer, more prepared communities.
Abby Charlesworth
Abby Charlesworth is the local authorities coordinator at The Carbon Literacy Project, where she works with councils across the UK to embed Carbon Literacy and strengthen their capacity to respond to climate change. Her work spans parish, town and community councils through to combined authorities, supporting councillors and officers with climate education and practical tools to turn learning into meaningful action. Abby has a particular interest in the role of local councils in influencing wider community emissions and works to increase understanding, confidence and action on climate change at a local level.
Eoin Harris
Eoin Harris is the head of environmental and climate action at the Canal & River Trust, where he leads work to address climate change, strengthen environmental performance and protect the natural environment across the charity's network of waterways. Eoin brings extensive experience in sustainability, climate resilience and environmental management, including previous senior consultancy roles. His expertise spans climate risk and adaptation, carbon management, environmental management systems and sustainable development, helping organisations translate environmental ambitions into practical action. At the Canal & River Trust, he works across disciplines to ensure canals and rivers are resilient to a changing climate while continuing to support wildlife, communities and the wider environment.
Richard O'Callaghan
Richard O'Callaghan champions tree and woodland conservation across councils and communities as a regional external affairs officer with The Woodland Trust, the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. In his role, Richard advises parish, town, and district councils on embedding nature-based solutions, such as tree-planting strategies, neighbourhood plan enhancements, and sustainable land use, into local policy. His contributions to forums and panels have spotlighted practical, council-level climate action. A passionate advocate for ancient woodlands and native tree restoration, Richard facilitates grant access, advises on free tree pack schemes, and extends guidance to help local authorities and community groups deliver impactful woodland initiatives.
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE is the chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, where she has led the environmental charity since 2015 and overseen its development as a major national voice on litter, waste, green spaces and environmental behaviour change. An experienced charity leader and social entrepreneur, she previously served as chief executive of World Child Cancer and Social Enterprise London and founded the social value think tank The Transition Institute. Under her leadership, Keep Britain Tidy launched the Great British Spring Clean, now one of the country's largest mass-action environmental campaigns. Allison was awarded an OBE for services to the environment and social enterprise.
County Association of the Year
Kerry Booth
Kerry Booth is the chief executive of the Rural Services Network (RSN) and a prominent advocate for rural communities in England. With nearly 20 years’ experience in local government and rural policy, she brings deep sector knowledge and national influence to her work. Kerry leads RSN’s strategic engagement with government, councils, and partners, and represents rural interests on national bodies including the Rural Coalition and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs' Rural Impact Forum. Known for her collaborative leadership and clear communication, she is dedicated to ensuring rural areas have fair access to services and opportunities.
Margaret Clark CBE
Margaret Clark CBE is a distinguished advocate for rural England, serving as chair of The Rural Coalition, an influential alliance of national organisations. Over her eight-year tenure, Margaret has championed fair access to housing, services, and infrastructure for rural communities, ensuring their geography does not disadvantage them. Margaret is widely credited with reinvigorating rural advocacy post the abolition of the Commission for Rural Communities. In parliamentary testimony, she emphasised the need for consistent rural proofing across government departments and comprehensive support for local solutions, including affordable housing, community infrastructure, and devolved decision-making.
Ian Harvey
Ian Harvey is the head of the Institute of Place Management (IPM), where he provides strategic leadership to the professional network and champions evidence-based approaches to creating thriving towns, cities and communities. Appointed in 2024, Ian brings extensive experience in civic engagement, placemaking and policy, and is co-founder and vice-president of Civic Voice. His work focuses particularly on high street and town centre regeneration, community participation and strengthening collaboration between local government, businesses and civic organisations to support successful places.
Corinne Pluchino
Corinne Pluchino joined the Action with Communities in Rural England in 2024. She has over 25 years of experience in campaigning, communications and bringing coalitions together to deliver change. After beginning her career as a researcher in the House of Commons and local government, she spent 15 years in the commercial sector advising organisations on public affairs and communications. She then joined the third sector, where she has held several roles, most recently as chief executive at Campaign for National Parks and director of fundraising, marketing and communications at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Corinne has worked on many issues impacting rural communities, from healthcare, transport and development to agricultural transition and nature restoration.
Gemma Rickard
Gemma Rickard leads the marketing, membership, and digital strategy at the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), a UK-wide professional body supporting parish and town clerks and governance professionals. Since joining SLCC in 2015, she has been instrumental in enhancing member engagement, overseeing the redesign of SLCC’s website to improve user experience and accessibility, and developing digital initiatives to support councils in England and Wales. Gemma is also responsible for the delivery of SLCC’s flagship publication, The Clerk magazine, and plays a key role in communications, including member bulletins and social media outreach. Gemma brings a wealth of experience from previous roles in marketing and product management and her expertise lies in digital transformation, member communications, and the application of digital tools to support local governance.
Clerk of the Year
Martin Collett
Martin Collett has worked in the rural housing sector for around 20 years. He is a corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and a University of London graduate. Martin is the former chair of the Rural Housing Alliance. He serves as a trustee for the Plunkett Foundation, a rural community business charity, and for AKT, an LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity. Martin is also a director of the Rural Services Network. He brings extensive experience in rural housing issues and a commitment to developing affordable homes in rural communities.
Katherine Harclerode
Katherine Harclerode is the vice-chair of the Association of Democratic Service Officers (ADSO), elected in April 2025, becoming the first woman to hold the role. With over five years of service on the ADSO Board as a regional representative, she brings a deep commitment to supporting governance professionals in local government. Katherine is passionate about championing the value and potential of the profession and is dedicated to building on the legacy of her predecessors.
Ailsa Irvine
Ailsa Irvine is the chief executive of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, where she leads the organisation responsible for reviewing local government electoral arrangements and recommending fair and effective ward and division boundaries across England. She brings more than 20 years' experience in the UK public sector and extensive expertise in electoral administration, having previously served as director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission and held a range of roles covering elections in Scotland and across the UK. Ailsa combines senior organisational leadership with deep knowledge of electoral governance, working with councils and communities to ensure boundary reviews reflect electoral equality, community identities and effective local government.
Roger Mortlock
Roger Mortlock joined CPRE as chief executive in May 2023 and is responsible for the overall running of the organisation. He joined following 10 years as chief executive of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, and leadership roles at the Soil Association and the Royal Shakespeare Company. He is passionate about a more sustainable future for rural England and CPRE’s role in finding solutions which make the best use of land and safeguard the countryside. He has held non-executive roles with the Bat Conservation Trust and the Soil Association Land Trust and is currently a trustee with the Summerfield Charitable Trust.
