What an incredible evening celebrating the achievements, innovation and dedication taking place across the education sector at this year’s awards.

Hosted by acclaimed television and radio presenter Jason Mohammad, the evening recognised excellence across 22 award categories, including MAT of the year, SEND award, Staff development award, CEO of the year and many more.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the evening such a success. Our partners, sponsors, judges, guests, shortlisted organisations and award winners. Your support and commitment to the sector made the night truly special.

And finally, congratulations to all our 2026 winners. We’re already looking forward to celebrating with you again next year. For comments from the judges, check out the winners’ page.

View images from the awards ceremony 

Congratulations to our 2026 winners!

For comments from the judges, check out the winners page. 

Wellbeing trust of the year

  • Winner: LEO Academy Trust
  • Highly commended: Wickersley Partnership Trust

Civic partnership of the year

  • Winner: Ark Schools – EdCity
  • Highly commended: Windsor Academy Trust – Co-creating Healthy Futures

CFO of the year

  • Winner: David Bond, Lion Academy Trust
  • Highly commended: Ritchie Doidge, Matrix Academy Trust

Product of the year

  • Winner: IMP Software – IMP Planner
  • Highly commended: stylus

Environmental trust of the year

  • Winner: Northern Star Academies Trust
  • Highly commended: Oasis Community Learning

Digital innovation award

  • Winner: Woodland Academy Trust
  • Highly commended: Windsor Academy Trust

EDI award

  • Winner: Cabot Learning Federation
  • Highly commended: STEP Academy Trust

Transformation and impact award

  • Winner: Exceed Academies Trust
  • Highly commended: REAch2 Academy Trust

Trust collaboration award

  • Winner: Best Practice Network and The Gallery Trust
  • Highly commended: BeReady and Manor Hall Academy Trust

Governance professional of the year

  • Winner: Maria Maltby, David Ross Education Trust
  • Highly commended: Kerry Morris, Rainbow Education Multi Academy Trust

Staff development award (1-12 schools)

  • Winner: LEO Academy Trust
  • Highly commended: The 5 Dimensions Trust

Staff development award (13+ schools)

  • Winner: Education South West
  • Highly commended: REAch2 Academy Trust

Company of the year

  • Winner: Magma Maths
  • Highly commended: CPOMS

CEO of the year

  • Winner: Susan Douglas, The Eden Academy Trust
  • Highly commended: David Clayton, Endeavour Learning Trust

SEND award (13+ schools)

  • Winner: Academy Transformation Trust
  • Highly commended: St. Bart's Multi-Academy Trust

SEND award (1-12 schools)

  • Winner: LEO Academy Trust
  • Highly commended: Severn Bridges Multi Academy Trust

Community trust of the year

  • Winner: Endeavour Learning Trust
  • Highly commended: Wise Owl Trust

Tim McCarthy award for trust executive team of the year

  • Winner: Consilium Academies
  • Highly commended: Endeavour Learning Trust

Optimus Education Lifetime achievement award

  • Winner: Richard Sheriff OBE

MAT of the year (Large):

  • Winner: E-ACT

MAT of the year (Medium):

  • Winner: Focus-Trust

MAT of the year (Small):

  • Winner: Rivermead Inclusive Trust

Keep an eye out for information about our 2027 MAT Excellence Awards.