Finalists announced

Our thanks to everyone who submitted a nomination for this year's Awards.

All nominations have been now been reviewed and scored confidentially by our awards panels; these were made up of experienced professionals from across the wider podiatry community.

We are now delighted to announce our finalists.

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

Finalists:

Jane Lewis, The India Project
Shauna Nash, Foyle Foot and Ankle Clinic, Derry
Emma Price, Open Door Centre in Cheltenham and the Gloucester City Mission
Deborah Wilson, Malawi Project (in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University and Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons (Glasgow))

Clinical/Academic Educator of the Year Award, sponsored by James Hallam

Educator of the Year Award recognises a clinical or academic podiatry educator who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and innovation in teaching and training. Find out more

Finalists:

Dr Ruth Barn, Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU)
Jennifer Dickson, University of Salford
Dr Alexander Izod, University of East London
Angela Thomas
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

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 and Director of the Marigold Clinic
Debbie Sharman, Leads the Diabetic Foot Service that covers Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital and the community Diabetic Foot Protection Service

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 can vote for the Members’ Choice Award via an online ballot, offering the opportunity to recognise a podiatrist directly. The finalists are listed below

Voting is now open - place your vote here

Voting will close at 23:59 on 29 May.

Finalists:

Christopher Ansermoz, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation

Christopher was nominated for his commitment to professional progression. Examples noted in his nomination included his co-authorship of the College’s Paediatric Podiatry Clinical Framework, the Children’s Footwear Guide, the HEE First Contact Practitioner and Advanced Practice roadmap, and the 2023 tri-country position statement on extracorporeal shockwave therapy in children. Over the past two decades he has served as workplace representative, on the Children’s Podiatry Specialist Advisory Group, Employment Support Committee and NHS Staff Council.
Khansah Imitaz, Podiatry Trade Union Rep

Khansah was nominated for her work as a trade union representative for the College. Her colleagues noted that she has shown great courage, leadership and resilience while fighting for podiatry workers' rights. Khansah has represented College members at a national level as a delegate at TUC conferences. She was the joint winner of the RCPod Rep of the Year award in 2025.
Hetal Patel, Princess Royal University Hospital, Bromley

Hetal was nominated for her dedication to the patients of Princess Royal University Hospital. Her colleagues noted that she frequently went above and beyond to provide the best care possible for both inpatient and outpatient services for people living with Diabetes. During a period of staffing shortages, Hetal stepped up to run the service despite not holding a leadership role. She ensured that patients received a high level of service during the shortage, all while studying for additional qualifications.
Lauren Thompson, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

Lauren was nominated for her work as a trade union representative in her workplace at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust. Her colleagues noted that she has shown a steadfast and exceptional commitment to equality and workers’ rights. In addition to her local work, Lauren has represented the RCPod members at a national level as a delegate at TUC conferences. She was the joint winner of the RCPod Rep of the Year award in 2025.
Mark Waugh, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS

Mark was nominated by his colleagues in recognition of his many years of service. It was noted that he is a selfless role model who is always available to support others, stepping up wherever he is needed. His quiet leadership, collaborative spirit and innovative approaches to transforming care have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers. Mark was the winner of the 2025 NCIC Podiatry Award for Collaboration.

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

Finalists:

James William David Alvey, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
Ganesh Baliah, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Simon Croucher, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, and Florentin Baciu, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Phil Hendy, University of Plymouth
Bindee Mosaheb, London North West University Healthcare

Podiatry Team of the Year Award, sponsored by The Hive

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. Find out more

Finalists:

NHS Fife Podiatry Tissue Viability Team
South Ayrshire Podiatry Team
The Allied Health and Nursing Collaborative Leg Engagement (ANCLE) Café
The Homerton Healthcare Community Podiatry Team
The North Cumbria Podiatry Service
The Tower Hamlets Podiatry Team

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

Finalists:

Dr Michael Backhouse for BigToe Inserts
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

Rising Star Award, sponsored by Weightmans

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. Find out more

Finalists

Claire Atkinson, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS
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

Finalists:

Lucy Booth, University of Salford
Xu Cao, Health Sciences University, Bournemouth
Arham Khalid, University of Brighton
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

Finalists: