College Staff Celebrate Year of Achievements at Annual Awards Ceremony

Following a great year of record-breaking achievements and inspirational triumphs across College, staff gathered earlier this month to celebrate the winners of the 2025 RISE Awards, shining a spotlight on the teams and individuals who have gone above and beyond this year.

Hosted by Dean of Higher Education, Chris Cockerton, this year’s RISE – which stands for Respectful, Innovative, Successful, and Empowerment – ceremony introduced a variety of new categories, ranging from fundraising to mentorship, and included special awards voted for by students, and the Principal’s Award. 

After a reception of drinks and delicious canapes from the Radmoor Restaurant, Chris introduced the awards, sharing with the audience: “These awards are so important to us as a College, as it allows us to take the time to celebrate all the incredible work that goes on.

“We changed the categories this year to allow us to celebrate even more of the amazing achievements from across College, and we had a staggering 555 entries this year. A huge thank you to everyone who put forward a nomination, and thanks to the Staff Forum who shortlisted and selected our winners, it can’t have been an easy task!”

Staff from all walks of College life were recognised for the awards, with nominees and winners spanning Estates, Business Support, Curriculum, and Accommodation teams.

Presenting the final award of the ceremony, Principal and CEO Corrie Harris announced the Elite Sport and Sport Academies as winners of the Principal’s Award for the Team category. She shared: “This year, our Elite Sport and Sport Academies have seen tremendous success. 

“From degree level students and alumni representing Team GB…to being awarded two Association of Colleges Sport National Titles for EDI and Women’s Rugby, alongside the Silver Award for Team of the Year at this year’s Pearson National Teaching Awards, there has been no shortage of reasons to celebrate.”  

Closing the ceremony, Corrie reflected on the year, and praised all the inspirational successes that have shaped Loughborough College. She said: “Congratulations to all award winners and nominees today. You are all remarkable and I hope you are proud of everything you have achieved this year individually, as a team and as the Loughborough College staff body.”

A full list of winners can be found below.

Team 1909 Fundraiser of the Year
Highly Commended – Stuart Taylor, Public Services
Individual Winner – James Shields, Sixth Form
Team Winner – Hospitality and Travel

Rising Star Award
Highly Commended – Alka Prinja, Careers and Enterprises
Individual Winner – Jamie Maloney, IT
Team Winner – Security & Maintenance

Mentorship Award
Highly Commended – Rachel Sandy-Sharpe, Sport
Curriculum Winner – Ifrah Zafar, Higher Education
Business Support Winner – Mary Bullivant, The Gables

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award
Individual Winner – Zamzam Ali, GCSE English
Team Winner – Zena Aherne and Student Support

Unsung Hero Award
Highly Commended – Sunny Chavda, Apprenticeships and Rachael Owen, Planning and Performance
Curriculum Winner – James Maudsley, Sport
Business Support Winner – Alex Chadwin, Web
Team Winner – The Gables

Sustainability Award
Individual Winner – Claire Hill, Sixth Form
Team Winner – Business FE

Student Recognition Award
Highly Commended – Rob Barrow, Sport; Seran Bradley, Sixth Form; Corinne Gardner, Sixth Form; Kathryn Holden, Sixth Form; Deborah Houlton, Student Support
Winner – James Shields, Sixth Form

Principal’s Award
Highly Commended Individual – Jo Blyth, Finance
Curriculum Winner – Dimitrios Tsokanos, GCSE English
Business Support Winner – David Buckeridge, Finance
Highly Commended Teams – Art & Design and Exams
Team Winner – Elite Sport and Sporting Academies