Institute of Regulation Awards
The Institute of Regulation seeks to promote awareness and understanding of good regulation and so we are delighted to continue our industry awards to acknowledge some of the leading practice and professionals in the regulatory sector.
Institute of Regulation Awards 2026
This year marked the second annual Institute of Regulation Awards, celebrating excellence across the regulatory community in three categories: Rising Star, Collaborative Practice, and Innovative Practice.
Rising Star
Winner: Eilidh Byer, North Sea Transition Authority
Eilidh said:
“I am incredibly grateful to win this award and would like to thank my colleagues at the North Sea Transition Authority for their ongoing support and guidance.
It is a real privilege to work in the energy sector and play a role in the vital work of decommissioning and helping to maintain the North Sea’s position as a cornerstone of the UK’s energy security and drive to reach net zero.”
Kirsty Mills, Global VP – Regulatory Solutions at Objective Corporation, the Rising Star Award Sponsor, added:
“This award recognises individuals making a real impact in regulatory practice and demonstrating leadership, innovation and influence early in their careers. We are delighted to sponsor and celebrate the emerging leaders shaping the future of regulation.”
Innovative Practice Award
Winner: Office for Environmental Protection - Intelligence Team
Presented by Richard Collin, Executive Director – External Affairs at the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, to Nicola Edwards, Head of Intelligence, on behalf of the team.
Nicola Edwards said:
“As a young and relatively small organisation of just over 80 staff, this recognition is especially meaningful. With a small team but great support from our leadership, we built our intelligence system and function in just over a year. It now ensures the organisation is well informed across multiple sectors, with information easily accessible to all our staff.
At a time when regulatory reform is centred on supporting growth, it shows that we can innovate and deliver at pace while strengthening environmental protection and public trust.”
Collaborative Practice Award
Winner: Care Quality Commission – Gambling Harms Team
Presented by TSO CEO, Richard South to Catherine Raycraft and Charles Rendell on behalf of the CQC Gambling Harms Team.
Arun Chopra, Chief Executive of the CQC, said:
“This award is a tribute to what becomes possible when we bring people together across sectors, organisations, and with those using services, focused on a shared purpose. Delivering the Gambling Harms inspection programme showed tenacity, resilience, and a deep commitment to thinking about the people who need us most — those accessing these vital services.
By combining our strengths, challenging traditional boundaries, and working creatively, we proved that the art of the possible is far greater when we collaborate. I’m incredibly proud of what has been achieved and grateful to everyone who contributed to this work.”
The Institute are seeking entries or nominations for three awards in regulation:
- Innovative practice
A team award for pioneers at the forefront of regulatory practice, for those taking fresh approaches to maximise regulatory impact
- Rising star
Open to emerging leaders in regulatory practice and impact, the shapers of regulation for the future.
- Collaborative practice
A team award for the regulatory A team working at the forefront of regulatory practice, leading cross-sectoral collaboration with other regulators or key stakeholders to achieve maximum impact.
Last year’s Winners
These will be the second year of awards offered by the Institute of Regulation. The three winners of the inaugural Institute of Regulation Annual Awards in 2025 were:
Mary Jervis of the Information Commissioner’s Office, winner of the award for Innovation in Regulation
Matt Westmore of the NHS Health Research Authority, winner of the Collaboration in Regulation Award
Tom Vincent of the Food Standards Agency, Winner of the Rising Star award.
Listen to our Podcast interview from last year’s award winners on Episode 27 here.
How to Apply
Entries for awards are now open.
To enter, please complete this Application form.
The deadline for entries has been extended to Friday, 13 Feb 2026, 17:00.
Special thanks to our 2026 Awards Sponsors
