Emerging Leader of the Year Award

The Hospice UK Awards celebrate the innovative work taking place in hospices and palliative care organisations across the UK, and the people involved with them

The Emerging Leader of the Year Award recognises individuals who demonstrate exceptional potential, promise, and leadership qualities early in their careers.

This award is now open for nominations! Enter by 17:00 on 7 September 2026. The winners will be announced at our National Conference in Liverpool on 16 - 18 November 2026. 

What's on this page

About this award

This award recognises individuals who show exceptional promise and potential as future leaders in their respective fields. 

We would like you to nominate someone in a leadership role at your hospice who has demonstrated outstanding achievements in the following areas:

  • Professional achievement 
  • Leadership potential 
  • Impact and influence 
  • Vision and future potential 
  • Resilience and perseverance 

What the judges are looking for

Please consider the following information when making your nomination:

How has the individual demonstrated significant achievements or accomplishments in their field, and made a notable impact within their organization or community? 

  • In what way did they influence change?
  • How have they shown exceptional performance and growth?

How has the individual exhibited strong leadership qualities such as the ability to inspire others, take initiative, and shown a clear vision and potential for future leadership roles?

How has the individual overcome challenges or setbacks with resilience, perseverance, and a positive attitude?

Before making your nomination, please read our submission criteria and general guidance. 

Enter now

To enter the Emerging Leader of the Year Award, please complete our short form.

The deadline for nominations is 17:00 on Monday 7 September 2026. 

All of our award winners will be announced at our National Conference in Liverpool on 16 - 18 November 2026. 

Award Thank you image

Emerging Leader of the Year Award nomination form

Enter the Emerging Leader of the Year Award 2026 to celebrate an individual who shows exceptional promise and potential as a future leader in their respective field.

Find out more

Previous winners

Emerging Leader of the Year award 2025

2025 Winner: Liz Jones, St Michael’s Hospice (Hastings & Rother)

Liz Jones, Associate Director of Capital Build, Communications and Marketing at St Michael’s Hospice (Hastings & Rother), joined the hospice sector less than three years ago, but has already made a phenomenal impact across an incredibly diverse range of projects, campaigns and initiatives across the charity. 

Read more about the winner
Dr Adam Baker, Weston Hospicecare, is the 2024 Emerging Leader of the Year Award, announced at the Hospice UK National Conference

2024 Winner: Dr Adam Baker, Weston Hospicecare

Adam Baker made a career choice in 2022 to leave the world of emergency medicine and bring his skills to palliative care at Weston Hospicecare. 

In just two years, he has excelled in his own education, delivered training for colleagues, introduced and formalised world first procedures into clinical care, and brought virtual reality to the hospice.  

Read more about the winner