Professional Service Recognition Awards 2019

On Wednesday 11 December 2019, Professor Andy Neely, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Business Relations, and Emma Rampton, the Registrary, welcomed over 200 people to the Student Services Centre, to celebrate this year’s employee recognition awards.

The professional services recognition scheme celebrates outstanding performance by individuals and teams who provide professional support services across the University. A record 183 nominations were received for this year’s awards, and 33 individuals and 20 teams made it to the shortlist. Awards are made to individuals and teams across seven categories, with a new category introduced this year to recognise ourcambridge achievements. 

Emma Rampton described the University’s professional services staff as “indispensable” and “the glue that binds the University together,” saying to those attending the event: “You are the people who make things happen, who support and help to bring about the University’s many achievements, and who are there to help when others need you.”

This year the awards included a new ourcambridge category, to recognise colleagues who have simplified processes, undertaken work to support staff or have improved ways of working in their areas.

The winners were:

We deliver an effective and high quality valued service

• Individual: Jacob Baldwin (School of Arts and Humanities) As a member of the cross-school IT service, Jacob has provided a technical service for multiple faculties and built up trust in the service. He was praised for his support during periods of exams and teaching and also for the influence he has in improving the skills and confidence of teaching staff. He is described as calm and unflappable, friendly and patient, with unfailing good humour.
• Individual: Martin Dawes (School of Clinical Medicine) Described as “truly the oil that keeps the machine working”, Martin received a number of nominations for this award. Always approachable, helpful, and knowledgeable, Martin was praised for his assistance in helping staff members settle into a new job, for his management of logistical issues when moves have taken place, and for his profound knowledge of the University.
• Team: The Technical Teaching Team, Zoology (School of the Biological Sciences) The teaching team was nominated for “sparking a dynamic and positive environment” and providing a high-quality service to staff and students. Team members were commended for their positive, engaged and helpful approach.

We collaborate and work in partnership

• Individual: Carol McDonald (School of Clinical Medicine) As Technical Liaison Officer (TLO) for the Jeffrey Cheah Building, Carol was pivotal in facilitating collaboration and partnership between numerous stakeholders: she worked tirelessly to ensure that this complex project ran as smoothly and as efficiently as possible. Carol is highly trusted by internal and external colleagues across two Schools and has been a major force for promoting positive collaborative working.
• Individual: Linda Spinks (ourcambridge) Both within and outside of ourcambridge, Linda has been an enthusiastic champion of Lean methods and continuous improvement and has trained over 500 members of staff. The ourcambridge programme is extremely fortunate to have Linda as Process Improvement Lead.
• Team: Sports Club Support Team (University Sports Service) Over the last two years, the Sports Club Support Team has worked proactively and collaboratively with 10 different departments, 51 club committees and various external partners to improve the safety, wellbeing and experience of 2,800 students playing sport within University Sports Clubs (beginners to elite athletes).

We are open, responsive and innovative

• Individual: Polly Brown (Counselling Service) The College-based counselling scheme allows students to access counselling without having to come to the service, which can act as a barrier for some students. The success of the scheme has been reflected in the number of participating colleges and positive student feedback. By developing the service to fit the needs of the Collegiate community, Polly has made a significant difference to student welfare.
• Team: Cambridge Admissions Office Team (Academic Division) The team, led by Helen Reed and Rachel Lister, have worked on introducing to the University the Adjustment Scheme, which gives students from under-represented backgrounds, who narrowly missed out on a place at the University, a chance to reconsider Cambridge if they performed beyond expectations in their exams. The team proposed the scheme, worked on the operational and practical implications, and made sure that all eligible students were supported through the process.

We respect others and value diversity

• Individual: Barbara Houlihan (School of Clinical Medicine) As the receptionist of the CRUK Cambridge Institute, Barbara does an amazing job when welcoming guests, visitors and staff members. She greets every member of the 500-strong workforce by name and with a big smile, which creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the Institute. By this simple but very impressive act, Barbara immediately ensures that all staff feel valued, welcomed, and at home.
• Individual: Luke Bovill (Finance Division) Luke has a noticeable “can-do” attitude and is very supportive of his team. Luke has gone the extra mile to be supportive of mental health needs in the workplace, showing empathy and compassion, and demonstrating fair treatment and respect.
• Team: News and Social Media Teams (Office of External Affairs and Communications). This team has delivered an innovative social media initiative to attract more students to the University from under-represented backgrounds. The experimental Get In Cambridge campaign, based on first-hand research in schools and a collaboration with Cambridge Admissions Office, ran through the summer with the initial aim of attracting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) applicants. It attracted over 50,000 views, hundreds of click-throughs, and coverage in targeted media.

Hot Topic Award

• Civil Engineering Move Support Team (School of Technology) The Technicians’ Support Team in the Civil Engineering Division has been nominated for enabling and supporting a complex transition from an old to a new facility, as well as setting up the new National Research Facility for Infrastructure Sensing in the process. The move, which was carried out seamlessly, represents a major development for the Department and the University, and involved moving heavy research facilities and 150 people.

Cross Team Award

• Team: Black Cantabs History Makers Team The History Makers touring exhibition was a collaboration between the University, Colleges and the Black Cantabs Research Society. It presented portraits of Cambridge's black graduates and academics, from 1720 to the present and was designed with and by our students, to encourage discussion around race and racial bias. Launched in the University Library, the exhibition was open to all, provoking visitors to challenge their own perceptions of inclusivity and belonging at Cambridge. Outreach officers from Colleges brought school trips to the exhibition, and it received positive and extensive coverage in the media, reaching a key widening participation audience.

ourcambridge Achievements

• Individual: Heather Capitain (Estate Management) Heather was nominated for her significant contributions as an ourcambridge champion and a trained mental health first aider. Despite a very busy, front facing role, Heather has supported several members of the team with a listening ear, and is always the member of the team who puts up the birthday banners, bakes cakes for special birthdays and makes sure the team takes time to support each other.
• Team: Beata Oxlade and Simon Clarke (University Information Services) Beata and Simon have been recognised for their work in setting up the UIS Leadership Community of Practice. They have delivered two training events, facilitated the launch of leadership subgroups tasked to deliver real-time improvements, and started a journey of cultural change. 

Unsung Heroes and Heroines

• Wojciech Cesarczyk (School of the Physical Sciences) Wojciech ensures the lab, office and kitchen areas are sparkling clean every day. His pleasant nature and demeanour is valued by his colleagues, in particular his effort to say good morning to everyone - a small gesture, but one that the whole lab appreciates. Staff have pride in the lab for being a tidy and safe environment and Wojciech helps to maintain such high standards.
• Sheree Green-Molloy (School of Clinical Medicine) During an extremely difficult time for the department and Sheree personally, due to the sad loss of a colleague and a friend, Sheree ensured that the administrative function of the department was covered. But Sheree provided much more: her support of staff wellbeing and overall morale was integral to maintaining the high research and education outputs. Sheree’s actions have maintained and extended the close professional bonds within the department created by former colleague and friend, Joanne.
• Steve Topper (School of the Humanities and Social Sciences) In addition to being a cheerful, unassuming man who keeps the building clean, tidy and running smoothly, Steve also arrives earlier than anyone, to routinely identify and undertake unpredictable and challenging jobs. Throughout his 13 years of service, Steve has been an essential to the Institute, responding to requests with diligence and enthusiasm.
• Lynda Lockey (School of the Biological Sciences) Described as a “loyal constant”, Lynda has been helping staff, students and visitors for just over 18 years at the Gurdon Institute. Lynda knows almost everyone in the institute by name and her helpfulness in guiding new members through their early days has been commended. Lynda’s trouble-shooting skills mean that no-one knows anything is wrong before it gets resolved.