OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP TEAM AWARD
Association of British HealthTech Industries
The Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) represents the UK’s HealthTech sector – a vital industry improving patient care and supporting the health and wealth of the nation. ABHI’s leadership team has consistently demonstrated outstanding commitment to advancing the sector through advocacy, innovation, and collaboration.
In a challenging environment, ABHI has guided the industry through regulatory change, promoted global trade, supported NHS partnerships, and launched new initiatives focused on sustainability and health equity. The association is represented at the highest levels of government and has established global working groups to drive best practice across key policy areas.
Through member-led insight and a collaborative approach, ABHI’s leadership has delivered strategic value to companies, supported the adoption of life-changing technologies, and helped secure the UK’s position as a global HealthTech leader. The organisation’s international work, regulatory influence, and focus on equitable access to innovation make ABHI’s leadership team an outstanding example of effective, forward-thinking governance in the association space.
British Institute of Innkeeping
The Senior Leadership Team at the BII are a diverse and tight-knit group, who have successfully led the organisation and its members through incredibly challenging times. Leading the 25 strong BII team across Operations, Communications, Finance, IT and HR, they have increased membership from under 10,000 to over 13,000 over the last four years.
Intensive Care Society
The Divisional Chairs of the ICS exemplify exceptional voluntary leadership, working tirelessly to advance intensive care and delivering tangible progress across the Society.
PJ Zolfaghari, SOA Congress Programme Director, demonstrates hands-on leadership, combining innovative vision with personal engagement. His collaborative approach ensures everyone feels valued.
Aoife Abbey, Public Affairs Chair, exemplifies values-based leadership. She champions equity, diversity, and inclusion through decisive action, embedding a culture of respect and inclusivity.
Reena Mehta, Education Chair, exemplifies visionary leadership, bringing together the multi-professional intensive care team. Her inclusive and empowering approach ensures education is accessible and relevant.
Marlies Ostermann, Standards Chair, leads with thoughtful authority and expert stewardship. She builds consensus and leverages national and international networks, ensuring high quality guidelines and patient safety.
Louise Rose, Research Chair, demonstrates strategic and collaborative leadership. She drives the Priority Setting Partnership with rigor, uniting stakeholders and ensuring patient and clinician shape research priorities.
Andy Breen, Professional Affairs Chair, leads with compassion and a focus on membership, embedding wellbeing and career development throughout the Society.
Facing a challenging post-pandemic landscape, the Divisional Chairs have fostered collaboration, and their dedication, expertise, and values-led leadership have left a lasting, positive effect, making them truly deserving of this award.
Medicines UK – Elevating a Vital Yet Overlooked Sector
Medicines UK has undergone a strategic transformation under the leadership of Chief Executive Mark Samuels and his team. Despite supplying four out of five NHS prescriptions, the generics and biosimilars sector had long been overlooked in UK policy. Mark’s mission was to elevate its profile, secure recognition, and drive systemic reform.
Through targeted media engagement, thought leadership, and data-driven tools like the monthly shortages’ dashboard, the association reshaped public and stakeholder understanding. Widespread coverage in national outlets and think tanks amplified the sector’s voice, while innovative content – such as a cartoon-led manifesto – made complex issues accessible.
Policy wins followed: Medicines UK secured its first seat on the Life Sciences Council, achieved inclusion in national industrial and life sciences plans, and led a successful campaign for differentiated rebate rates. A bespoke biosimilars partnership with government is now positioning the UK as a global launch destination.
The rebrand to Medicines UK reflected this evolution, supported by a landmark conference and a significant growth in membership. Diversity initiatives included a new women’s network and mentoring pilot, further strengthening the sector’s resilience.
Medicines UK now stands as a vital force in shaping the future of UK healthcare.
Political Studies Association
In 2023, the Political Studies Association (PSA) was facing a perfect storm.
Still recovering from the pandemic, its members were facing unprecedented upheaval. The association were facing falling membership numbers and subscription income from its academic publishing operations under threat.
The PSA chair Professor Rose Gann and the CEO Michelle Doyle Wildman were keen to tackle this, communicate the challenges to the membership and conduct a consultation process to inform a new strategic plan for the organisation. This has led to a number of innovative developmental programmes and investments.
Under the dynamic leadership of Rose and Michelle, PSA team of staff and trustees have been revitalised with the PSA equipped to weather the storms ahead and better able to deliver its charitable aims and for its membership.
The National Hair and Beauty Federation
The NHBF Senior Management Team has transformed the NHBF from a traditional trade association into the UK hair and beauty sector’s premier authority during unprecedented challenges. Now 18 months into their ambitious five-year transformation strategy, they have delivered exceptional foundational results while systematically advancing through structured implementation phases. This demonstrates their strategic governance innovation through four specialised advisory boards that systematically support 16 prioritized strategic objectives with clear accountability. Year 1 achievements include 9% expenditure reduction while maintaining service quality, record £3.4 million investment portfolio performance, and establishment as the government’s most trusted sector intelligence source. Current Year 2 implementation shows measurable progress: NHBF+ service completion, digital transformation advances, recognition campaign, and continued policy influence through ministerial engagement and parliamentary evidence sessions. Their proactive “Survive and Thrive” initiative addressed the £139 million budget impact before crisis conditions peaked, exemplifying strategic foresight rather than reactive management.
The team’s evidence-based approach delivered 22% helpline usage growth, 7% first-year member retention improvement despite sector challenges. Their systematic execution of strategic vision, innovative crisis management, and measurable cross-functional outcomes demonstrate exceptional leadership.
