The CGIUKI awards is the definitive acknowledgment of excellence and achievement in the governance space. The awards are made up of 10 community endorsed nominated awards, and 8 annual disclosure based non-nominated awards, highlighting exemplary examples of governance in the last 12 months.
Nominated Awards
This award recognises the rising stars of governance. These are the people who, even with just a few years’ service behind them, are making a substantial contribution.
The judges are looking for nominees who embody these qualities and more, making a notable and positive impact in their organisations. They will look for evidence of why nominees are destined to get to the top of the profession, and why in particular this is the year they should win an award.
Submission Requirements:
- Key Achievements:Outline the nominee's key accomplishments that distinguish them from their peers. Detail how they achieved these milestones.
- Future Goals:Describe the nominee's personal or career aspirations.
- Award Justification:Explain why the nominee deserves this award and, in particular, why this year.
- Endorsements:Include endorsements from colleagues or clients.
Please note that self-nominations are not accepted for this award.
This category is open to anyone in a governance role. Eligible nominees include company secretaries, their deputies or assistants, heads or directors of governance, trustees, non-executive directors, and others whose work focuses on governance. The judges are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate a wide range of impressive achievements over the past year.
This award recognises those individuals who have made a positive and sustained impact, going above and beyond to encourage, support and raise awareness of good governance. They may have built powerful relationships with a variety of stakeholders or taken on a high-profile project that had a materially positive impact or demonstrated effective leadership in the achievement of departmental and organisational objectives.
Submission Requirements:
- Key Achievements:Outline the nominee's key accomplishments that distinguish them from their peers.
- Award Justification:Explain why the nominee deserves this award and, in particular, why this year.
- Endorsements:Include testimonials from colleagues or clients.
This award recognises company secretarial and governance teams who have demonstrated excellent collaboration, who have brought out the best from team members and developed effective, innovative ways of working. They will have a strong sense of team identity, an understanding of their common purpose, good internal communications and clear and complementary skills and roles. Above all, they will share a clear focus on the delivery of organisational and team goals.
This award is open to company secretarial and governance teams of all sizes. The judges are looking for teams who can evidence they are delivering outstanding performance and tackling problems in creative and effective ways. Whether they have led a reorganisation of business entities, introduced new technologies and processes, or simply gone above and beyond, these teams exemplify excellence.
Submission Requirements:
- Team Description:Provide an overview of the team or department, including its structure and personality. What makes this team special and why does it deserve to win this year?
- Evidence of Good Practice:Demonstrate how the team has pushed for and implemented best practices.
- Effective Teamwork:Explain how teamwork was employed to deliver significant business impact.
A champion can embody many roles. They might be a visionary, opening doors and creating new opportunities. They could be an evangelist, inspiring and challenging others. Or they might be the driving force, pushing for recognition for others and their profession.
Who do you believe deserves the title of 'Champion'? Perhaps they lead by example, advocating and demonstrating the value of good governance through their actions. Maybe they have a personal touch, bringing in new talent, nurturing them, and helping them flourish. Or simply, they might be the person who stands up for what’s right and refuses to be ignored.
The judges are looking for nominees who demonstrate any or all of these qualities and more, and who make a significant, positive impact upon other people and upon their organisation.
Submission Requirements:
- Key Achievements:Outline the key achievements that make them stand out from their peers.
- Award Justification:Explain why they deserve this award and, in particular, why this year.
- Endorsements:Include endorsements from colleagues or clients.
Please note that self-nominations are not accepted for this award.
In recent years, the importance of having an effective plan for equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace has become increasingly clear. For many organisations, making significant progress in diversity is a substantial undertaking.
This award celebrates initiatives designed to enhance diversity and inclusion within the organisation, going beyond "business as usual." They will be participative and collaborative, and will draw upon input from customers, investors and other stakeholders. They are crafted to achieve clearly defined goals, supported by appropriate measures of success, and provide demonstrable benefits to the organisation, its employees, customers, and other stakeholders.
The judges are looking for evidence that the work has enjoyed support at the highest levels, and that the learning has been shared across the organisation. Nominees can be individuals or teams from any sector. The initiative must have had a positive impact on their community or business audience within the past 12 months.
Submission Requirements:
- Objectives and Planning:Outline the objectives, research, planning, implementation, and results of the initiative.
- Challenges:Describe any challenges encountered during the process.
- Evidence of Success:Provide tangible evidence of the initiative's success.
This award will recognise the ESG initiative that demonstrates an innovative and impactful approach to improving business sustainability and social responsibility and going beyond “business as usual”. They will be participative and collaborative, and will draw upon input from customers, investors and other stakeholders. They will have been designed to achieve a set of clearly articulated goals, underpinned by appropriate measures of success. And they will be of real and demonstrable benefit for the organisation, its employees, customers and other stakeholders.
The judges are looking for evidence that the work has enjoyed support at the highest levels, and that the learning has been shared across the organisation. Nominees can be individuals or teams in any sector.
Submission Requirements:
- Objectives and Planning:Outline the objectives, research, planning, implementation, and results of the initiative.
- Challenges:Describe any challenges encountered during the process.
- Evidence of Success:Provide tangible evidence of the initiative's success.
This award celebrates governance projects that are strategically significant and transformational. These projects focus on governance issues at their core and are exceptional in nature, going beyond "business as usual." They are designed to achieve clearly defined goals, supported by appropriate measures of success, and provide demonstrable benefits to the organisation, its employees, customers, and other stakeholders.
Your project might have successfully integrated AI to assist a job function or introduced a new system or platform to streamline departmental operations or perhaps involved an innovative AGM. Previous shortlisted entries have included:
- Introduction of a tech-enabled operating model
- Digital transformation to improve efficiencies
- Training programs for future board members
- Transformation of board reporting
The judges are looking for evidence that the project has received support at the highest levels and that the learning has been shared across the organisation.
Nominees can be individuals or teams, and the project must have been completed within the 12 months leading up to 30 June 2025.
Submission Requirements:
- Objectives and Planning:Outline the objectives, research, planning, implementation, and results of the project.
- Challenges:Describe any challenges encountered during the process.
- Quantifiable Results:Provide feedback from internal and/or external stakeholders (including investors) and tangible evidence of the project's success.
Not every organisation has the resources, expertise, or even the desire, to deliver their company secretarial or governance services in-house. For many, the use of a third-party provider is an efficient cost-effective way to focus on the organisation’s core competencies.
This award recognises those individuals or companies that provide company secretarial or governance services to other organisations, and who have gone significantly beyond basic service levels. Nominees will have made a valuable and creative contribution to the client’s business, providing practical, cost-effective solutions to the day-to-day operations and embracing new challenges. Theirs will be a forward-looking service for their clients, backed up by glowing testimonials.
You can self-nominate or be nominated by your clients. The judges will be looking for evidence of how the nominee has gone above and beyond their contractual obligations and the value they have created as a result.
Submission Requirements:
- Unique Qualities:Describe what makes your organisation stand out and, in particular, why this year.
- Client Feedback:Include feedback from your clients.
Reporting Awards
The annual report is far more than a statutory obligation; it is an opportunity for the company to tell its story, vividly, honestly and in its own unique way.
These two awards between them recognise “whole report” excellence. Reports may come from different sectors of the business community, but each will demonstrate how to turn an obligation into an opportunity. That may include, for example, describing clear links between strategy, risk and KPIs for success, or it may mean describing the board’s work in providing leadership and oversight. It could mean offering an honest, ‘warts and all’ account of a difficult year. In each instance, the use of boilerplate will be kept to a minimum, and the emphasis placed firmly on disclosure of everything material to the business.
The judges are looking for reports that maintain a consistently high standard of commentary throughout, that are interesting and enjoyable reads, and easy to comprehend. Above all, they should offer real insights into the business.
We do not accept entries into this category. All FTSE 350 company reports are reviewed and shortlisted by two independent panels, and that shortlist is then reviewed and judged by our judging panel.
The annual report is far more than a statutory obligation; it is an opportunity for the company to tell its story, vividly, honestly and in its own unique way.
These two awards between them recognise “whole report” excellence. Reports may come from different sectors of the business community, but each will demonstrate how to turn an obligation into an opportunity. That may include, for example, describing clear links between strategy, risk and KPIs for success, or it may mean describing the board’s work in providing leadership and oversight. It could mean offering an honest, ‘warts and all’ account of a difficult year. In each instance, the use of boilerplate will be kept to a minimum, and the emphasis placed firmly on disclosure of everything material to the business.
The judges are looking for reports that maintain a consistently high standard of commentary throughout, that are interesting and enjoyable reads, and easy to comprehend. Above all, they should offer real insights into the business.
We do not accept entries into this category. All FTSE 350 company reports are reviewed and shortlisted by two independent panels, and that shortlist is then reviewed and judged by our judging panel.
This award is open for submissions and honours an annual report from an AIM or Small Cap company that that successfully tells an organisation’s corporate story to its stakeholders.
The judges are looking for reports that maintain a consistently high standard of commentary throughout, are interesting and enjoyable to read, and easy to comprehend. Above all, they should offer real insights into the business.
Submission Considerations:
- Objectives: What were the objectives of the report and what did it need to fulfil?
- Accessibility: How easy is it for stakeholders to access key information?
- Integration: How was the report incorporated into the company’s communication output?
- Development: How has the report evolved since its previous incarnation?
(Report Dates: 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025)
This award is open for submissions and recognises high-quality reporting by a not-for-profit, government, private company or a health organisation. The judges will be looking for reports that provide readers with insights into what the organisation does, why its activities are important, and what their impact is.
Submission Considerations:
- Objectives: What were the objectives of the report and what did it need to fulfil?
- Accessibility: How easy is it for stakeholders to access key information?
- Integration: How was the report incorporated into the company’s communication output?
- Development: How has the report evolved since its previous incarnation?
(Report Dates: 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025)
Disclosure on executive remuneration plays a critical role in enabling shareholders to engage effectively in the process of setting pay. Done well, it can offer invaluable insights into the background to and rationale for executive remuneration.
This award recognises high-quality remuneration reports which don’t shy away from the difficult issues, and which make the rationale for key decisions clear. They will offer a clear explanation of how remuneration policy in the company exemplifies good practice, and will make explicit the link between remuneration, strategy and the long-term interests of shareholders. They may also disclose any remuneration targets that were set and explain why those targets were felt to be appropriate and describe how external economic considerations are factored into remuneration policy and practice.
The judges in this category are looking for those reports which are transparent, which describe the relationship between organisational culture and remuneration policy, and which show innovative thinking in this most difficult of areas.
We do not accept entries into this category. All FTSE 350 company reports are reviewed and shortlisted by two independent panels, and that shortlist is then reviewed and judged by our judging panel.
High-performing boards rely upon high quality information around which to form decisions. Yet what about information on the board itself? How can investors gain assurance that the board is fit for purpose?
This award recognises those reports that offer insights into the work of the board – the issues it faced during the year, the skills of the people around the table, and how it equips itself with the skills needed for effective strategic delivery. Succession planning, induction and development are clearly evidenced, as is how the tone from the top is cascaded throughout the organisation. Strong nominees may also describe the importance of board refreshment to the company’s strategic purpose, and discuss the process around board evaluation, the outcomes achieved – and the actions taken.
The judges are particularly interested in reports which offer a strong sense of the personality of the chair, which explain how the chair leads the board and demonstrate how he or she takes personal responsibility.
We do not accept entries into this category. All FTSE 350 company reports are reviewed and shortlisted by two independent panels, and that shortlist is then reviewed and judged by our judging panel.
The audit function is vital for ensuring a company is complying with its legal and regulatory obligations. Beyond that, however, lies an even greater value; an effective audit function can bring peace of mind to the board and, investors and other stakeholders as well as to executive management.
This award recognises those reports that get under the bonnet and offer quality commentary on how the audit committee goes about its work, how the company manages relations with its external auditor and how the provision of non-audit services is handled. Strong reports will provide clear insight into how the board satisfies itself on auditor independence, how the audit committee gains assurance on management’s approach to complex issues, and how and when the committee challenged the external auditor on its work.
The judges are looking for reports which underline the significance of the audit function, and which present a clear narrative on how the company delivers a high-quality audit for shareholders.
We do not accept entries into this category. All FTSE 350 company reports are reviewed and shortlisted by two independent panels, and that shortlist is then reviewed and judged by our judging panel.
Even before it became a mandatory disclosure, many companies were already reporting on how their directors were complying with their duty under section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 to have regard to the interests of other stakeholders – particularly the interests of employees, suppliers and customers.
This award recognises high quality reporting on the business’ efforts to engage with stakeholders. Strong reports in this category will go beyond the usual boilerplate disclosure on mechanisms used to secure employee feedback. They will really get under the skin of what has been done by way of engaging with employees and other stakeholders, and provide meaningful discussion of the learning outcomes from that work. They will include a clear definition of and discussion about non-employee stakeholders, and describe what mechanisms are used to solicit feedback.
The judges in this category are particularly interested in those reports which offer a clear explanation of how stakeholder feedback has been taken into consideration in board decision-making.
We do not accept entries into this category. All FTSE 350 company reports are reviewed and shortlisted by two independent panels, and that shortlist is then reviewed and judged by our judging panel.
The UK Corporate Governance Code requires that listed companies include in their annual report a variety of information about their board performance review – not just how it was conducted and by whom, but also what the outcomes were.
This award recognises high quality disclosure on a board review. Strong reports in this category will offer clear insights into the approach taken to reviewing the board and why that approach was the most appropriate for the company. They will include a discussion of who carried out the review, the brief they were given and how they were chosen to undertake the work. They will also offer meaningful discussion on what the company learned from the performance review, and how it followed up that learning and put it into practice.
The judges in this category are particularly interested in those reports which go significantly beyond the basics to provide genuine insights into the process of board performance review and are unafraid to describe its outcomes.
We do not accept entries into this category. All FTSE 350 company reports are reviewed and shortlisted by two independent panels, and that shortlist is then reviewed and judged by our judging panel.
This award recognises companies that understand the relationship between sustainability and strategy, and that focus their efforts on what will keep their business in operation for years to come.
The judges are interested in companies that show throughout their report that sustainability is at the heart of their business. The judges particularly like to see reports that show the board’s commitment to sustainability, combined with excellent case studies and data that demonstrate sustainability in practice.
We do not accept entries into this category. All FTSE 350 company reports are reviewed and shortlisted by two independent panels, and that shortlist is then reviewed and judged by our judging panel.