Finalists and winners in the 2026 Awards
Our thanks to everyone who submitted a nomination for this year's Awards.
All nominations were reviewed and scored confidentially by our awards panels; these were made up of experienced professionals from across the wider podiatry community.
A list of finalists was published in April. Winners were announced at our Awards ceremony at the Royal Institution on 12 June.
Alf Morris Community Award
This award has been established in honour of the late President of the Royal College of Podiatry, The Rt Hon Lord Morris of Manchester AO QSO, who died in 2012. The award reflects Lord Morris’s strong social conscience and the difference he made to the lives of ordinary, disadvantaged people. Find out more
Winner
Emma Price, Open Door Centre in Cheltenham and the Gloucester City Mission
Finalists
- Jane Lewis, The India Project
- Shauna Nash, Foyle Foot and Ankle Clinic, Derry
- Deborah Wilson, Malawi Project (in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University and Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons (Glasgow))
James Hallam Clinical/Academic Educator of the Year Award
Educator of the Year Award recognises a clinical or academic podiatry educator who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and innovation in teaching and training. This event is sponsored by James Hallam. Find out more
Winner
Dr Ruth Barn, Glasgow Caledonian University
Finalists
- Jennifer Dickson, University of Salford
- Dr Alexander Izod, University of East London
- Angela Thomas, Livewell Southwest CIC (affiliated to the University of Plymouth)
- Michelle Tracey, Ulster University, Magee Campus
Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award
The Diamond Award is presented to individuals who can demonstrate substantial, outstanding and exemplary contribution to the profession of podiatry over a sustained period of time. Award recipients are recognised for their long-standing commitment to quality improvement. Find out more
Winner
Debbie Sharman, Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust
Finalists
- Angela Abbott, Southwest Podiatry Workforce Action Group
- Dr Ivan Bristow, Private practitioner and consultant, Honorary Professor at Health Sciences University, Dorset, and visiting professor at other universities in the UK and Australia
- Dr M Tariq Khan, Consultant Podiatrist (Great Ormond Street Hospital, London; Sydney Children’s Hospital, Sydney; The Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital, Melbourne) and Director of the Marigold Clinic
Members' Choice Award
This award is to recognise and celebrate those members who have made significant, positive contributions to the profession, colleagues and patients without seeking recognition. Find out more
Members were invited to vote for the Members’ Choice Award via an online ballot, offering the opportunity to recognise a podiatrist directly. The finalists are listed below. Voting has now closed.
Winner
Christopher Ansermoz, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Finalists
- Khansah Imtiaz, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
- Hetal Patel, Princess Royal University Hospital, Bromley
- Lauren Thompson, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
- Mark Waugh, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Podiatry Careers Champion
The Podiatry Careers Champion Award recognises an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement and support of podiatry as a career. Find out more
Winner
Ganesh Baliah, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Finalists
- James William David Alvey, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
- Simon Croucher and Florentin Baciu, Bognor Podiatry Clinic
- Phil Hendy, University of Plymouth
- Bindee Mosaheb, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
The Hive Podiatry Team of the Year Award
The Podiatry Team of the Year Award recognises a team of podiatry professionals who have demonstrated exceptional collaboration, innovation, and impact in their Trust or Practice. This award is sponsored by The Hive. Find out more
Winner
The Allied Health and Nursing Collaborative Leg Engagement (ANCLE) Café
Finalists
- NHS Fife Podiatry Tissue Viability Team
- South Ayrshire Podiatry Team, NHS Ayrshire and Arran
- The Homerton Healthcare Community Podiatry Team, Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- The North Cumbria Podiatry Service, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
- The Tower Hamlets Podiatry Team, East London NHS Foundation Trust
Research and Innovation Award
The Research and Innovation Award is for outstanding research and innovation in a healthcare context to improve efficiencies and deliver improved healthcare. Find out more
Winner
Dr Michael Backhouse for BigToe Inserts
Finalists
- Sarah Bradshaw – CUBED App (For Podiatrists)
- Hywel Dda Podiatry and Arrhythmia Service Atrial Fibrillation Detection Project Team
- Kalpita Majumdar and Nadine Price for Next-gen diabetic foot care: developing a virtual MDT that connects primary and secondary teams
- Jayne Robbie for ACT NOW
Weightmans Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award aims to recognise and encourage up-and-coming podiatrists who show great promise and potential in the early stages of their career. This award is sponsored by Weightmans. Find out more
Winner
Claire Atkinson, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Finalist
- Samantha Smith, Brandon Podiatry
Student of the Year (pre-registration)
This Student of the Year Award (pre-registration) will be granted in recognition of a student/apprentice member who has demonstrated outstanding performance and contribution in various aspects of their education and professional development. Find out more
Winner
Arham Khalid, University of Brighton
Finalists
- Lucy Booth, University of Salford
- Xu Cao, Health Sciences University, Bournemouth
- Heather MacDougall, Glasgow Caledonian University
- Jose Sebastiao, Homerton NHS Foot Health / University of East London
- Sophie Widdows, Cardiff Metropolitan University
Volunteer of the Year Award
Volunteer of the Year Award aims to recognise members who has shown exceptional dedication, leadership, and impact in a RCPod volunteering role supporting and advocating for other members and the work of the profession. Find out more
Winner
Dr Jill Ferrari, Age UK
Finalists
- Khansah Imtiaz, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
- Lauren Thompson, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
More about the 2026 Awards ceremony
Sponsors of RCPod Awards 2026
Our thanks to the awards sponsors: James Hallam, The Hive, and Weightmans.
Please contact our corporate partnerships team for further information.
Filming and photography at the Awards ceremony
Consent
By attending the Awards ceremony on 12 June, you agree to be photographed, filmed, or recorded. You also give your permission for the event to use your media in their publications, promotional material, and other communications channels.
Use of media
The RCPod may use the media for marketing, publicity, or other purposes. This could include social media, websites, brochures, newspapers, magazines, and more.
Opting out
You can contact the RCPod if you want to be exempt from being photographed or filmed, or if you have any concerns. Please email natasha.smith@rcpod.org.uk or speak to a member of the reception desk. You can also revoke your consent at any time, for example if you were unaware you were being filmed, or if you feel the photos are unflattering.