Nominations are open for the National Health and Social Care Information Governance Annual Awards 2025/2026 (22 December 2025)

Nominations are open for the National Health and Social Care Information Governance Annual Awards 2025/ 2026

 Working in Information Governance can be a tough and lonely place, whether as an Information Governance professional or as someone supportive of the discipline. Do you know someone who deserves recognition for their hard Information Governance or Data Protection work?  

The National Health and Social Care Strategic Information Governance Network (SIGN) acknowledge the work of its peers with Annual Awards.

The categories are:  

Information Governance Professional of the Year  

This category is looking for individuals who you consider to be exceptional, who have demonstrated qualities in the IG profession that deserve recognition in the year 2025/26. Someone who, in your opinion, has gone above and beyond expectations to achieve great things for their team, their organisation or the wider profession.

-   Exceed expectations in delivering an IG service.
-   Provided IG inspiration and direction to the benefit of a team or a particular individual.
-   Created a product, service or approach that you believe is worthy of recognition.
-   Contributed practical and insightful content and knowledge to the benefit of the IG profession.  

Information Sharing Champion (IS) of the Year  

Do know someone who has contributed to information sharing that has had a positive impact.  We are looking for nominations or any individuals who have advocated or supported an information sharing initiative in 2025/26 that deserve recognition for their efforts.  

-   Someone who has helped break down information sharing barriers by navigating legal or complex IG issues to resolve an IS initiative.
-   Been a point of contact/ escalation to resolve IS issues to ensuring projects progress.
-   Are confident to raise issues in a constructive way and uphold the rights and freedoms of data subjects.
-   Inspire confidence for those involved in information sharing, allowing them to share with confidence within a clear framework.  

Information Governance Innovator of the Year  

We are looking for anyone who has come up with a concept or improvement that has had a tangible benefit on IG working practices.  This could be a service, a process, or a way of working that has impacted IG practices within a particular setting.  If you know of someone or a team that has done something in 25/26 that meets the above then this is the category for them! Tell us:  

-   Detail what they have improved?
-   What was the benefit and who benefited?
-   How long did it take and how did thy do it?  

Information Governance Team of the Year  

We are looking for those team that stand out from the norm. If you know a team that has improved working practices, overcome significant challenges and obstacles and work in a positive manner to improve IG within their organisation or a wider context hen we want to hear from you. Tell us:  

-   What did the team do that worked well?
-   What challenges have they overcome and what makes this team special?
-   What has the team achieved?
-   What examples do you have to demonstrate the team’s success?  

Information Governance Human Encyclopaedia  

Do you know someone who works in IG who you consider is the font of all knowledge? The person you know you can go to for advice and they can always give you an answer, quote the relevant guidance and refer to it from memory! If you of someone who inspires confidence in whey know any, this is the category for them!  What we want to know if your nomination is:

-   What makes them so knowledgeable?
-   Give us some examples of how hey demonstrate their expert knowledge and how has this helped you or others?
-   How long have they worked in IG and what is their background?  

Outstanding Contribution to Information Governance

This category is looking for a that someone who stands out in the profession for you. This is someone who you believe has made their mark in the field of IG and had a positive impact in some way. In your application we want you to consider:

-      Someone who is well respected and recognised by the profession.
-      Has given back to the professional in some positive way – and details of what this is Has made a significant contribution to their organisation or the wider profession in some way and how.
-      Tell us about their career how they have got to whey are now an why you feel they deserve recognition.  

Caldicott Champion Award   

A new award recognising an individual or team that exemplifies the Caldicott principles and helps support the role or function of Caldicott, championing patient confidentiality and information sharing.  

SIGN’s network award, selected by the SIGN awards committee.  - SIGN recognition of excellence to the IG profession  

This award will be awarded to someone who will be recognised by the Strategic IG Network as someone who in need of exceptional recognition of their contribution to the IG profession and supporting IG professional across health and social care.  

To nominate someone for an award, the formal Nomination Form must be used below. Nominations can be made by anyone, including Information Governance and non-Information Governance peers, as well as patients and members of the public.

-      Nominations open on 18rd December 2025
-      Nominations close on 20th February 2026
-      Judging will take place during February 2026
-      Winners will be announced at ceremony in March 2026  

The judging process is, wherever possible, nominee blind, including name, gender and, where possible, organisations. Judging is undertaken by a sub-committee of the National SIGN, made up of experience Information Governance Professionals.  

National Strategic Information Governance NetworkAwards 2026 – Fill out form