Here are the 2025 IRMS Award Winners!

Each year, the IRMS recognises excellence, innovation, and dedication to the sector of information management with our prestigious Industry Awards. The awards were presented on Monday 19th May 2025 at the Gala Dinner, held during the annual IRMS Conference in Birmingham.

Below is the winner for each category and a little summary of who they are and why they won.

The Digital Decarbonisation Award: Oasis Group

The Digital Decarbonisation in Action Award is new for 2025 and it celebrates those taking tangible steps to reduce emissions associated with inefficient data practices. From how we create and store information to the systems and behaviours we embed across organisations, the role we play as information professionals has a direct link to sustainability, efficiency, and long-term economic impact. This award is sponsored by the Business School at Loughborough University.

We were fortunate to receive two strong nominations for this award. Due to conflicts of interest among the judging panel (which included David Reeve, Jaana Pinnick, Tom Jackson and Ian Hodgkinson), we handed over the judging to the brilliant doctoral researchers into decarbonisation at Loughborough University - the next generation of experts choosing our winner and runner up. Our runner-up was Informu Solutions. The winner was the Oasis Group. Their submission stood out for its structured, proactive work in digital decarbonisation, responsible data governance, and knowledge management. They are already translating research into practical tools that reduce digital waste, improve efficiency, and promote the responsible use of AI.

Professional of the Year: Victoria Blyth

This award recognises someone truly exceptional in our field - an individual whose impact, innovation, and dedication have set them apart. We had a strong shortlist of four outstanding professionals. Every single nominee demonstrates excellence and leadership in different but equally valuable ways, and all should be incredibly proud to be recognised.

After much discussion we also wanted to acknowledge a runner-up as we sometimes do, and this went to Yagmur Sahin.

The winner was Victoria Blyth, who can be proud of the IG Guidance she has produced on significant issues in London, child vaccination, serious violence, damp and mould in social housing, which are making a significant impact. Her work on the Strategic Insights Tool for Rough Sleeping for London Boroughs and charities has drawn international attention. This is just a flavour of what she is achieving. She is friendly and approachable, supports fellow professionals directly and indirectly, and receives fantastic feedback.

Supplier of the Year: Rachel Mitchell, Leadership Through Data

You would expect suppliers of Information and Records Management services to go above and beyond for their clients and customers. However, what about those ones that create something special? Something that means you grow from their services in more ways than you thought you would. You learn more from them than you thought you would. You experience more from them than you thought you would. Those suppliers are truly special. And we think they should be celebrated and encouraged.

We had three high-quality nominations and we asked the IRMS Membership to decide the winner through a public vote. The award this year went to Rachel Mitchell, of Leadership Through Data. Her work with the Electoral Commission over the past year has been exemplary, showcasing her dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence.

Team of the Year: JISC and the HE/FE Sector team

This award recognises teams that have overcome significant obstacles or have successfully utilised the skills of all members of the team and can demonstrate collaboration with others. This year, we received six excellent nominations, all of which were put to a public vote by the IRMS community.

The winners of the award were JISC and the HE/FE Sector Team for their outstanding work revising and republishing the Higher and Further Education Business Classification Scheme and Records Retention Schedule.

Innovation of the Year: Jaki Stockwell, Leadership Through Data

Innovation is at the heart of progress in our field—whether it’s pioneering new tools, improving access to knowledge, or rethinking how we deliver training and services.

This award shines a spotlight on creative thinking that’s driving our profession forward. As with several categories, this award was put to a vote by the Membership, and it was a close contest.

This year’s winner was Jaki Stockwell of Leadership Through Data who impressed the IRMS community with her development of an innovative suite of online eLearning courses designed specifically for information managers, governors, and privacy officers. The 522 Droplets microlearning approach makes education more accessible, flexible, and tailored to the unique demands of our profession.

Alison North New Professionals Award: Carys Hardy

The Alison North Award for New Professionals 2025 is only open to those who are either within the first three years of their career in information and records management or who are currently studying full time a subject relating to data, information and records management. The sponsor and patron of the award is Scott Sammons from Lighthouse IG.

Over the last 15 years we have seen some unique insights and reflections into a new professional’s view of the world. From humour pieces through to more deeper insights into how we do what we do. Each and every applicant has brought something unique and valuable to the profession - winner or not.

This year was no different. Although this year, and indeed for all future years, we are challenging applicants to do something different with their submission. You can write a thought piece, or you can even record a thought piece.

Our winner, Carys Hardy, submitted an essay that took us through how we can overcome terminological barriers such as poor communication and inconsistent definitions and to align these more to institutional contexts. Creating a comprehensive, institution-specific glossary offers a practical path forward and brings people with us, rather than losing them in sea of information management speak.

The essay will appear in the IRMS Bulletin so look out for it.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Vicky Beddall

The Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the Society’s highest honours. Our profession is made up of people from all walks of life and in all stages of their career. This award is for someone that has made a significant contribution to the organisation or profession.

We received two exceptional nominations, each representing decades of dedication to the information and records management profession. After careful consideration, the panel selected one winner and one very worthy runner-up. The runner-up, Jane Marley, has made an outstanding contribution to the field.

The winner, Vicky Beddall, began her career in 1994, as a Document Controller at Sellafield Ltd (formerly BNFL). Even then, she was already showing the tenacity and integrity that would define her future.

Over the next 31 years, she built a remarkable career in the nuclear industry, rising to become the Information Management Lead at Cavendish Nuclear, where she’s now been leading the function for over two decades. Today, she oversees a team of more than 40 Document Controllers, ensuring that data and information are created, managed, accessed, and protected across the entire organisation—supporting more than 5,000 employees across multiple sites and hubs.

But her impact doesn’t stop there. She is a STEM Ambassador, a mentor, and a passionate advocate for our profession—shining a light on the often unsung but critical roles of Information Management and Document Control.

Her knowledge is vast. Her leadership is inspiring. Her contribution is profound.

Full list of IRMS 2025 Award Winners:

• Digital Decarbonisation Award: Oasis Group
• Alison North Award for New Professionals: Carys Hardy
• Innovation of the Year Award: Jaki Stockwell, Leadership Through Data
  
• Team of the Year Award:JISC and the HE/FE Sector team
• IRMS Supplier of the Year: Rachel Mitchell, Leadership Through Data
  
• Professional of the Year Award: Victoria Blyth
• IRMS Lifetime Achievement Award: Vicky Beddall

All our winners join a proud history of previous award winners so we say congratulations to them all!

If you have any queries about the IRMS Awards, please get in touch with the Awards team via awards@irms.org.uk.