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The winners of the Institute of Economic Development (IED) Annual Awards 2023 have been announced.

A special IED 40^th anniversary awards dinner, sponsored by Key Cities, was held in the Sky Gallery at the Park Regis Hotel in Birmingham last night following the IED Annual Conference ‘Grow for Good? Reappraising the UK's Growth Objectives’.

After a record number of entries to the IED Annual Awards were assessed by an expert IED judging panel, the final three nominees for eight awards comprising individual, team and organisational categories were revealed in September.

At the IED Awards Dinner, compered by IED Director and past Chair Bev Hurley CBE, the winners and a series of Highly Commended entries were announced recognising achievers in the public and private sector.

Amongst these, Julie Kapsalis, Chair of Coast to Capital LEP and Catalyst South, and Principal and CEO at North East Surrey College of Technology, was named Leader of the Year and was also Highly Commended in the EDI Champion of the Year category.

Nina Howells, Commercial Project Manager at Salford City Council, won the Social Value Champion of the Year prize, and the Council was also Highly Commended in the Collaborative Initiative of the Year category for Build Salford Construction Employer Consortium.

For the final presentation of the evening, Outstanding Contribution to Economic Development, a posthumous award was granted to Lord Bob Kerslake. The award was collected by Lord Kerslake’s daughter, Eleanor, following a speech by IED Chair Tom Stannard recalling the lifetime achievements of a senior civil servant who after his passing this year was described by commentators as the “most eminent advocate for local authorities”, “a leader of integrity and a true public servant”, and “the kindest of men”.

IED Awards Winners 2023

Leader of the Year

• Julie Kapsalis, Chair, Coast to Capital LEP and Catalyst South, Principal and CEO, North East Surrey College of Technology.

Team of the Year

Sponsored by GPC Skills

• Norfolk County Council, Business Development Team.

Rising Star of the Year

Sponsored by AtkinsRéalis

• Emma Leung, Senior Consultant/Senior Economist, Savills.

Highly Commended:

• Alejandro Lomeli Viramontes, Consultant, Inner Circle Consulting.
• Sarah Husselbee, Programme Manager – Economic Growth and Visitor Economy, Newark and Sherwood District Council.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year

• Sevenoaks District Council, Economic Development Team / Aidan Kiely.

Highly Commended:

• Julie Kapsalis, Chair, Coast to Capital LEP and Catalyst South, Principal and CEO, North East Surrey College of Technology.