Staff Recognition Awards 2026

On Tuesday 7 July 2026, we came together as a university community to celebrate the incredible achievements, dedication, and spirit of our colleagues at the Staff Recognition Event. This annual event is an opportunity for the University to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of our professional services and support staff, who demonstrate excellence in their roles and enrich the wider University community - whether through exceptional leadership, support, or decades of service.

The selection committee were incredibly impressed by the quantity and quality of all the nominations, and deeply touched by those who took the time to recognise their colleague’s hard work, dedication and commitment. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination, and congratulations to all those who were nominated.

We are proud to share this year’s winners and highly commended colleagues across all award categories.

Culture and Inclusion

Sophie Madison, EDI Coordinator, HR (Individual Award)

Sophie is an exceptional contributor to inclusion and cultural change at the University of Bath, playing a central role within a small but high‑impact Culture and Inclusion Team. Supporting key strategic areas including Athena Swan, Race Equality, and LGBTQ+ inclusion, she delivers a wide range of work with consistency, professionalism, and care. From managing websites and coordinating meetings to producing high-quality communications and organising events, Sophie ensures that both visible and behind-the-scenes elements of EDI work run seamlessly. Her strong organisational skills, deep understanding of University systems, and background in communications enable her to support strategic leads effectively, anticipate needs, and offer practical solutions in a fast-paced and complex environment. Sophie’s collaborative approach, attention to detail, and commitment to continuous improvement make her an essential enabler of progress, helping to embed inclusion across the institution and strengthen the sense of belonging for staff and students alike.

Woodland Lounge Team (Team award) - Mike Gale, Blake Walker, Abigail Willmington (Campus Servives), and Matt Durant (Library)

Mike, Blake, Abigail and Matt displayed collaborative working to deliver the transformation of the 6 West South building into the Woodland Lounge. Creating an inclusive, accessible, and neuroinclusive space shaped by extensive engagement with the University community. The project championed accessibility through improvements such as a newly prioritised accessible entrance, upgraded facilities, and enhanced wayfinding, lighting, acoustics, and temperature control. Mike provided strong project leadership, managing procurement, budgets, contractors, and complex timelines with a calm and solutions-focused approach, while Blake led stakeholder engagement, ensuring diverse voices informed the design through meaningful consultation and translating feedback into practical outcomes. Matt contributed strategic insight, developing the business case and using data to ensure the space balanced inclusivity with its function as a study environment. Abigail was integral to the design work, consistently contributing thoughtful and imaginative designs that truly elevated the space. Her ideas helped shape an environment that feels welcoming, inclusive, and engaging for everyone who visits. Through her creativity and attention to detail, she ensured that the space is not only visually appealing but also functional and comfortable, making it a genuinely enjoyable place to spend time in. Together, their collaborative and empathetic approach has delivered a welcoming, future-proofed space that reflects the University’s values and will have a lasting positive impact on the student community.

Highly commended

• Cara Ratukalou, Nursery Manager, HR
• Karina Lanegan, Receptionist, School of Management
• Student Retention and Success, Student Support & Safeguarding
  • Imroze Sahota and Joanna Newman
• Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse Response Service, Student Support & Safeguarding
  • Jo Sheeran, Maisie Sanderson-Thwaite, Tahlia Jurkovic

Enhancing Student Experience

Wioletta Niemiec, ResLife Operations Team Leader, Campus Services (Individual Award)

Wioletta's work consistently reflects excellence, kindness and positivity. One notable example is covering their buildings with no staff, where they couldn't bare to leave the student experience lacking so took matters into her own hands and services multiple buildings for weeks until cover could be sorted. She worked across the east and west to organise cover and even stepped up to be a panel member for interviews (which I know she was nervous about and stepping out of her comfort zone to do this) she showed confidence and resilience throughout this hard time and even now when no cleaners were hired is still staying positive and doing everything she can to take care of her budlings. Through thoughtful planning, collaboration, and persistence, there has been great communication with the students, limited servicing missed and a great team bonding and support led by Wioletta. She has truly gone beyond her core responsibilities and did not run from the difficult situation, she faced it head on and overcame it for the living standards of the students and the reputation of the university. I truly see this as a much wider achievement as if it weren't for people like Wioletta the standards would drop, the complaints would be sky high and the experience of students living on campus would be much more negative resulting in the universities rating dropping. Its often overlooked how much value campus services holds to the overall rating of the university and without these people like Wioletta the place would crumble.

Freshers Week 2026 - Mike Dalton & Helen Webb, SU (Team Award)

At the SU, we believe Freshers' Week is one of the most important moments in a new student's university journey. The friendships formed, the communities that develop, and the sense of belonging established in those first days can shape everything that follows. It is a whole SU team effort, but it is Mike Dalton and Helen Webb are the two people most responsible in the SU for making it all happen. Mike and Helen delivered an outstanding Freshers’ Week programme that has significantly enhanced the student experience, creating a strong sense of belonging for new students from the outset. In 2025, they led the most ambitious and inclusive programme to date, with over 160 events welcoming more than 5,200 students and generating 11,747 event check-ins alongside rising satisfaction scores. Mike’s leadership ensured the safe and effective delivery of a large-scale, multi-venue programme, including arena events, alcohol-free activities, and a new city-wide offer through external partnerships, while Helen’s leadership of a student-led model enabled meaningful engagement through the recruitment and support of event managers and 87 student captains. She also shaped a highly effective communications approach that reached millions through digital channels, ensuring students felt connected before arrival. Together, their strategic, creative, and inclusive approach has created a welcoming and impactful experience, with student feedback reflecting a strong sense of community and belonging from day one.

Highly Commended

• Ben Spicer, Head of Engineer Services, Campus Infrastructure
• Siobain Hone, Graduate Enterprise Manager, Vice Chancellors Office
• Campus Services No Plates Like Home Team, Campus Services
  • Jonathan Bowker, Gareth Jones, Richard Whinnett, Alistair Cole, Abigail Willmington, Kate Brennan, Sarah James, Cheryl Herbert, Jane Hately, Blake Walker, Sophie Bodman, Kevin McCormick
• H&SS Placements Team, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
  • Sabrina Earnshaw, Naomi Mintrum, Rosanna Floyd, Katie Smyth, Nicole Roe, Laura Massa, Catherine Landon, Izzy Ford, Fran Williams, Alison Mayes, Liz Gregory, Sarah Shaw, Victoria Maskell-Thomas, Jenny Nixon

Manager / Leader of the Year - Two winners

Sarah Sutton, Deputy Director (Talent), HR

Sarah demonstrates unwavering dedication, progressing from HR Recruitment Coordinator to Deputy Director and shaping the team’s direction with a clear vision. Has shown strengthened capability and impact by creating the Talent team, launching initiatives like The Talent Sphere blog, and developing clear career pathways. Inspires high performance through a passionate, coaching-led leadership style that supports development and fosters an open, supportive environment and drives excellence and recognition, with award nominations and external rankings reflecting the team’s success under her leadership.

Lizzie Tilley, Policy and Projects Manager, Student Support & Safeguarding

Lizzie provides consistent support and guidance, helping colleagues build confidence and navigate challenges effectively. She creates a safe, trusting, and empowering team environment where individuals can use their strengths and perform at their best and demonstrates compassionate, authentic leadership, delivering impact through initiatives like #NeverOK and fostering a more inclusive culture.

Highly Commended

• Kirsty Grainger, Director of Research & Impact Services

Supporting Research

Rebecca Tanswell, Media & PR Manager (Individual award)

Rebecca made an exceptional contribution to raising the visibility and impact of research at the University of Bath, translating complex work into compelling, globally engaging stories. She achieved outstanding media reach and engagement, securing major national and international coverage and driving record-breaking research attention and goes beyond her role by building partnerships, supporting researchers, and creating new opportunities for collaboration, influence, and real-world impact.

External Affairs Unit - Andy Dunne, Ben Woods, Katrina Kelly, Corinne Evans, Department of Communications and Marketing (Team award)

The team delivered exceptional impact in a short time, raising the University’s research profile and strengthening policy, civic, and stakeholder engagement. Led high-profile national, regional, and local initiatives, including political engagement, major events, and strategic partnerships that increased influence and collaboration, and drove key projects such as the Economic Impact Report and funding initiatives, enhancing reputation, innovation, and community connections despite limited resources

Highly Commended

• Sarah Hunter, Technical Supervisor, Faculty of Engineering and Design
• Filipa Vance, Director of Research Policy, Governance and Integrity
• H&SS Research Managers, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
  • Claire Pitt, Lisa Austin, Emily Taylor, Rachel Willis
• Research Support team, School of Management
  • Dr Olivia Brown and Professor David Ellis
    

Supporting Colleagues

Clive Woodbridge, Senior Developer (HR & Finance Systems), DD&T (Individual award)

Clive provides exceptional, reliable support to HR colleagues, consistently going above and beyond with a calm, helpful, and solutions-focused approach. He brings highly valued technical expertise, resolving complex issues while maintaining clear communication and strong working relationship and demonstrates outstanding patience and professionalism, particularly in challenging situations, making a significant positive impact across the organisation.

SU Wellbeing Champions - Parnian Soltani, Gemma Rigby, Annette Goddard, Joe Rumford, Taibah Orpin (Team award)

Established only 18 months ago, the SU Wellbeing Champions have created inclusive and accessible opportunities that support staff wellbeing and connection. They have delivered a wide range of initiatives shaped by staff feedback, including activities, events, and clear communication channels across in-person and digital formats and fostered a supportive culture by encouraging open conversations about wellbeing, increasing engagement, and helping staff feel connected and valued.

Highly Commended

• Lily Valentine, Workforce Development Coordinator, HR
• Policy and Projects Team, Student Support & Safeguarding
  • Lizzie Tilley, Dan Holley, Martha Lee-Harris, Jess Hayball

Celebrating Long Service milestones

45 years

• Janet Buchan, Finance Administrator, School of Management
• Katherine Taylor, Finance Supervisor (Payment), Finance & Procurement
• Paul Maggs, Health & Safety Adviser, Human Resources

40 years

• Julian Padget, Reader, Dept of Computer Science
• Robin Lansdown, Cleaner Porter, Campus Services
• Steve Parker, Professor, Dept of Chemistry

35 years

• Andrew Green, Manufacturing Engineer, Dept of Mechanical Engineering
• Andrew White, Cleaner Porter, Campus Services
• Emma Greeley, Programmes Manager, Engineering & Design Faculty Office
• Eric Morgan-Davies, Commis Chef, Campus Services
• Francis Robinson, Lecturer, Dept of Electronic & Electrical Eng
• Graham McNally, Head of IT Infrastructure, Digital, Data & Technology Group
• Guy Brace, Technical Supervisor, Engineering & Design Tech Services
• Ravi Acharya, Professor, Dept of Life Sciences
• Russel Barlow, Hazardous Waste Manager, Human Resources
• Sally Harding, IT Procurement Manager, Digital, Data & Technology Group
• Simon Bending, Professor, Dept of Physics
• Valerie Jukes, Senior Data Officer (Projects), Academic Registry

30 years

• Amanda Harper, Director of Operations, Science Faculty Office
• David Roberts, Finance Supervisor, Finance & Procurement
• David Tosh, Professor, Dept of Life Sciences
• Elisabeth Barratt Hacking, Head of Department, Dept of Education
• Hisham Hammouda, Security Attendant, Library
• Jenny While, Administrative Assistant, Academic Registry
• Lisa Hunter, Shelver, Library
• Nickie Williams, Senior Library Assistant (Repository Administrator), Library
• Simon Crampin, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Physics
• Simon Hillier, Senior Engineer (Learning & Events Technology), Digital, Data & Technology Group

25 years

• Alastair King, Professor, Dept of Mathematical Sciences
• Alison Humphries, Finance Administrator, Science Faculty Office
• Alison Moon, Student Discipline Support Officer, Student Support and Safeguarding
• Anna Boneham, Volunteering and Societies Manager, Students' Union
• Anthony Bush, Deputy Head of Department, Dept for Health
• Antony Darby, Professor, Dept of Architecture & Civil Engineering
• Asun Solano Torres, Teaching Fellow, Skills Centre
• Catherine Evans, Facilities Sales & Development Manager, Sports Development & Recreation
• Cathryn Mitchell, Professor, Dept of Electronic & Electrical Eng
• Charlie Slack, Director of Student Leadership & Support, Students' Union
• Christopher Iles, Senior Developer (HR & Finance Systems), Digital, Data & Technology Group
• Dawn Benison, Faculty and Management Information Accountant, Finance & Procurement
• Dmitry Lukyanov, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Chemical Engineering
• Dylan Thompson, Deputy Head of Department, Dept for Health
• Eamonn O'Neill, Head of Department, Dept of Computer Science
• Elena Minelli, Lecturer, Dept of Politics, Languages & International Studies
• Emma Carmel, Associate Dean (Research), H&SS Faculty Office
• Emma Hoar, Assistant Accountant, Finance & Procurement
• Gabriele Edwards, Lecturer, Dept of Education
• Hannah Dennis, Senior Research Project Manager, Research and Impact Services
• Irene Macias, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Politics, Languages & International Studies
• Jane Heywood, Post Award Manager, Research and Impact Services
• Jo Dixon, Students' Union Sport Development Manager, Students' Union
• Jonathan Evans, Reader, Dept of Mathematical Sciences
• Julian Churchward, Cleaner Porter, Campus Services
• Karen Sheppard, Database Manager, Advancement Office
• Kate Stringer, Head of Marketing, School of Management
• Kim Escott, Reslife Building Coordinator, Campus Services
• Lisa Ashcroft, Events Manager, Sports Development & Recreation
• Lisa Newberry, Finance Assistant, Science Faculty Office
• Mark Acres, Technical Director, Digital, Data & Technology Group
• Matthew Davidson, Professor, Dept of Chemistry
• Momna Hejmadi, Professor, Dept of Life Sciences
• Peter Hall, Professor, Dept of Computer Science
• Peter Lambert, Head of Department, Dept of Politics, Languages & International Studies
• Philippe Blondel, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Physics
• Rachel Summers, Assistant Registrar, Engineering & Design Faculty Office
• Randolf Kohn, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Chemistry
• Sam Akehurst, Professor, Dept of Mechanical Engineering
• Shaun Stephenson-McGall, Student Engagement Manager, Centre for Learning and Teaching
• Sherilyn Elmes, Principal Service Manager (Standard Support), Digital, Data & Technology Group
• Stefan Bagby, Reader, Dept of Life Sciences
• Stephen Husbands, Professor, Dept of Life Sciences
• Tim Barrett, Senior Developer (Integration & Innovation), Digital, Data & Technology Group
• Toby Lewis, Lecturer, Dept of Architecture & Civil Engineering

20 years

• April Su, Senior Service Analyst (Specialist Support), Digital, Data & Technology Group
• Maria Begona Delgado-Charro, Professor, Dept of Life Sciences
• Benedykt Bakowski, Porter, Campus Services
• Brian Blacklidge, Lecturer, Dept for Health
• Chris Roberts, Reader Services Librarian, Library
• Claire Goldie, Programmes Officer, H&SS Faculty Office
• Clarissa Bell, Solicitor, Research and Impact Services
• Colin Bovell, Head Coach Track & Field, Sports Development & Recreation
• Dominic Taylor, Lecturer, Dept of Architecture & Civil Engineering
• Eddie Hounsell, Principal Developer (Integration & Innovation), Digital, Data & Technology Group
• Emma Phillips, Careers Events Organiser, Careers Service
• Frank Marken, Professor, Dept of Chemistry
• Gail Brown, Timetable Coordinator, Academic Registry
• Gillian O'Carroll, WP Project Coordinator, Student Recruitment & Admissions
• Hartmut Schwetlick, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Mathematical Sciences
• James Arthur, Head of Registry Services, Academic Registry
• James Olver, Operations Officer, Academic Registry
• Jeremy Sanders, Teaching Fellow, Skills Centre
• Jessica Scott, Head of Student Immigration, Student Immigration Service
• Joanne Smith, Deputy Income Officer Manager, Finance & Procurement
• Julie Chambers, Business Gateway & Consultancy Services Manager, Research and Impact Services
• Jun Zhang, KTP Finance Officer, Research and Impact Services
• Justin Barnes, Senior Engineer (M365), Digital, Data & Technology Group
• Justin Davies, Team Supervisor, Campus Services
• Lesley Chapman, Assistant Purchasing Technician, Science Technical Services
• Lisa Austin, Research Hub Manager, Dept for Health
• Marianne Ellis, Professor, Dept of Chemical Engineering
• Matthew Jones, Head of Department, Dept of Chemistry
• Nicola Pizzey, Payroll Assistant, Finance & Procurement
• Philip Rogers, Director of Pharmacy, Dept of Life Sciences
• Philip Shields, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Electronic & Electrical Eng
• Rachel Taylor, Accommodation Operations Caretaker, Campus Services
• Rachid Hourizi, Director of the Institute of Coding (IoC), Dept of Computer Science
• Richard Box, Senior Graphic Designer, Marketing & Brand
• Richard Guy, Professor, Dept of Life Sciences
• Sarah Stone, Facility Sales Officer, Sports Development & Recreation
• Shan Bradley-Cong, Evidence & Evaluation Coordinator, Research and Impact Services
• Siobain Hone, Graduate Enterprise Manager, Research and Impact Services
• Suk Trippier, Accounting Technician, Finance & Procurement
• Surisa Ramsey, Domestic Assistant, Campus Services
• Susan Paddock, Programmes Administrator, Science Faculty Office
• Tara Cook, Deputy Nursery Manager, Human Resources
• Tim Woodman, Senior NMR Spectroscopist, Core Research Facilities
• Tracey Tillotson, Data & Insight Lead, Student Support and Safeguarding

15 years

• Alison Tincknell-Smith, Lecturer, Dept for Health
• Amy Vallender, Head of HR Operations & Immigration, Human Resources
• Ana Bertolossi, Instructional Designer, Skills Centre
• Andrew Leaver, Lecturer, Dept for Health
• Andy Fysh, Stores Manager, Campus Services
• Beata Nejmajer, Domestic Assistant, Campus Services
• Caroline Thomas, Marketing Officer, Marketing & Brand
• Chenghong Gu, Professor, Dept of Electronic & Electrical Eng
• Corlena Hibbert, Payroll Supervisor, Finance & Procurement
• Dave Elkins, Specialist Technician (Workshops), Science Technical Services
• Deborah Stanton, Finance Officer, Engineering & Design Faculty Office
• Dee Mahil, Head of MSc Operations, School of Management
• Elizabeth Sharling, Membership Administrator, Sports Development & Recreation
• Emma Cockle, Executive Assistant, Campus Services
• Emma Nair Narainin, Pre-Award Development Officer, Research and Impact Services
• Fabio Nemetz, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Computer Science
• Francis Moran, Research Associate, Dept of Architecture & Civil Engineering
• Isla Holmes, Doctoral Recruitment Officer, Doctoral College
• Jason Hart, Professor, Dept of Social & Policy Sciences
• Jens Roesner, Technical Manager, Dept of Mechanical Engineering
• Kate Woodthorpe, Professor, Dept of Social & Policy Sciences
• Katy McKen, Director of Operations, H&SS Faculty Office
• Katy Williams, Physiotherapist, Sports Development & Recreation
• Kei Takashina, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Physics
• Lisa Taylor, Projects Officer, School of Management
• Louisa Norris, UG Admissions Selection Officer, Student Recruitment & Admissions
• Mark Watkins, Lecturer, Dept of Architecture & Civil Engineering
• Mark Westmore, Sports Supervisor, Sports Development & Recreation
• Miranda Young, Daytime Cleaner, Sports Development & Recreation
• Nicola Fricker, Operations & Finance Administrator, Research and Impact Services
• Paula Kover, Reader, Dept of Life Sciences
• Peter Eley, Deputy Director of Human Resources, Human Resources
• Rebecca Knight, Department Manager, H&SS Faculty Office
• Robert Williams, Reader, Dept of Life Sciences
• Roy Maconachie, Professor, Dept of Social & Policy Sciences
• Sarah Jones, Research Strategy Business Partner, Research and Impact Services
• Simon Gould, Lecturer, Dept of Architecture & Civil Engineering
• Simon Kubiak, City Services Caretaker, Campus Services
• Simon Wharf, AV Supporter (Specialist), Marketing & Brand
• Stephen Baddeley, Director of Sport, Sports Development & Recreation
• Steve Cayzer, Professor, Dept of Mechanical Engineering
• Tony Perry, Professor, Dept of Life Sciences
• Vangelis Evangelou, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Mathematical Sciences
• Yvonne Walker, Senior Library Assistant, Library