College Group Staff Celebrate End of Academic Year with Joyful Awards Ceremony

Following a year of triumph and achievement, staff from across the organisation gathered last week to celebrate the nominees and winners of the 2026 RISE Awards, shining a spotlight on the teams and individuals who have gone above and beyond this year.

Hosted by Vice Principal and Dean of Higher Education and Adult Skills, Chris Cockerton, this year’s RISE – which stands for Respectful, Innovative, Successful, and Empowering – ceremony introduced a variety of categories, ranging from fundraising to EDI, special awards voted for by students, and the CEO’s Award, chosen by Chief Executive, Corrie Harris. 

Following a welcome reception of drinks and delicious canapes from the College’s own Radmoor Restaurant, Chris introduced the awards, sharing with the audience: “These awards are so important to us as an organisation, as it allows us to take time to celebrate the incredible work that goes on across all four of our campuses.

As we near the end of our first full year as a merged organisation, we are so excited to bring together and highlight the fantastic work going on in every corner of Loughborough College Group.”

With 518 inspiring nominations, staff from all walks of the organisation were recognised at the awards, with nominees and winners spanning Exams, curriculum, Sport, and business support teams.

Presenting the final awards of the ceremony, the CEO Awards, Chief Executive Corrie Harris announced three individual winners, three team winners, and three highly commended nominees, recognising fantastic success across all Loughborough College Group sites.

Closing the ceremony, Corrie reflected on the year, and praised all the inspirational successes that have shaped Loughborough College Group. She said: “Congratulations to all award winners and nominees today. It has been an honour celebrating your inspiring stories with you all. I am so pleased to see how our newly merged organisation has come together to forge such an excellent team.”

A full list of winners can be found below.

Fundraiser of the Year
Sport and Esport FE – Winner

Rising Star 
Steen James – Brooksby and IGNITE Winner
Lucy Bright – Loughborough Winner 
Annie Dunstan – Stephenson Winner

Unsung Hero (Individuals)
Jane Carr and Josh Hammond – Brooksby and IGNITE Winners
Shahnaz Mohebbi – Loughborough Winner
Dave Baldock – Stephenson Winner

Unsung Hero (Teams)
Cleaning – Brooksby and IGNITE Winner
Café Chino – Loughborough Winner
Exams – Team Winner

EDI Award
Chesney Hassell – Brooksby and IGNITE Winner
Rachel Faulkner – Loughborough Winner
Kelly Finney – Stephenson Winner

Student Recognition Award
Racheal Bailey-Wemyss, Katie Clayton, and Cherilyn Huff – Brooksby and IGNITE Winners
Mathew Radford-Pioli – Loughborough Winner
Danny Parsons – Stephenson Winner

CEO’s Award
Ashleigh Dickinson – Brooksby and IGNITE Highly Commended
Luke Bradbury – Brooksby and IGNITE Individual Winner
IGNITE Performing Arts – Brooksby and IGNITE Team Winner

Lee Crowson – Loughborough Highly Commended
Nicola Stevens – Loughborough Individual Winner
Caring Services – Loughborough Team Winner

Danny Parsons – Stephenson Highly Commended
Sadiqa Miah – Stephenson Individual Winner
Safeguarding and Welfare – Stephenson Team Winner