Public finance teams were recognised in a wide range of categories at the 2023 Public Finance Awards last night. The winners and runners-up represented all areas of the UK public sector, with winning teams from across government, NHS and local councils.
Throughout another year of global crises and economic shocks, the sector has had to continue delivering essential services to the communities it serves while coping with seemingly never-ending challenges and ever-limited resources. The sector has had to innovate, do more with less and pull together to find solutions. As we see with the examples from all the nominees and winners, our talented colleagues continue to innovate, deliver excellence in the services they provide, and find new solutions to cope with the increasing challenging environment we work in.
The most prestigious award, the Grand Prix, was won by London Borough of Hillingdon for their work on Counter Fraud, Detection & Prevention. The approach demonstrated was holistic, strategic and had real and significant positive financial impact.
CIPFA CEO Rob Whiteman said:
“Every year, the Public Finance awards are a reminder that the public sector is brimming with passionate, hardworking and dedicated professionals, which often goes unrecognised by the general public.
“In the current landscape and over the past couple of years, the public sector has coped with a plethora of immense challenges. It’s a pleasure to celebrate the innovative and creative work that finance and governance teams across the public services are carrying out to provide essential services to the public.”
Notes to editor
Further information on the Public Finance awards
The annual awards ceremony, hosted by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and Public Finance Magazine, celebrates the people, organisations and services that display excellence and originality in public finance and governance from across the UK.
Full list of winners
Finance Team of the year - Councils and Local Services - Finance Team - West Northamptonshire Council
Finance Team of the year - Health - Finance Department, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Finance Team of the year – Central Government and National Bodies - Benefit Payment Systems Group, Department for Work and Pensions
Public Finance Future Leader of the year - Sam Russell, Group Finance Lead, Children’s Social Care, Manchester City Council
Aligning Local Services - Digital and Caseworker Team, ILF Scotland Care Schedule Portal
Achievement in Financial Reporting and Accountability - Fund Accounting and Investment Team - Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire Pension Fund
Outstanding Procurement Initiative - 7 Force Commercial Services in the East of England, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk
Excellence in Governance and Risk Management - Departmental Planning and Performance Team, Department for Work and Pensions
Excellence in Public Sector Audit - NAO HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Audit Team, National Audit Office
Sustainability and Social Value - Social Value Through Procurement, Essex County Council
Digital Finance Project of the year - Tableau Financial, London North Eastern Railway