Developing Excellent Practice Award 2025 – in partnership by AdvanceHE
The Staff Development Forum is delighted to announce the 2024 Developing Excellent
Practice Award to recognise and celebrate outstanding staff development individuals or teams.
Aligned with the SDF Festival 2025: Facing the Future, Shaping the Now
The Developing Excellent Practice Award is proudly aligned with the SDF Festival of Learning and Development 2025, themed “Facing the Future, Shaping the Now.” Taking place virtually from 10–11 November (nationally) and 12 November (regionally), the festival brings together L&D professionals from across the UK to explore forward-thinking practices in leadership, development, and organisational transformation.
How to Nominate
We encourage submissions from teams or individuals that have led innovative and effective initiatives in any area of staff development. The shortlisted submissions will be invited to be part of Advance HE’s case studies, showcasing good practice and inspiring others in the sector.
- Developing Excellent Practice Award – Guidance Notes 2025
- Developing Excellent Practice Award – Application Form 2025
Key dates
- Deadline: Monday 22nd September 2025 by noon
- Shortlisted entrants will be notified: Monday 13th October 2025, 5 pm
- Shortlisted entries to submit further evidence: Friday 24th October 2025 by noon
- Award presentation: Tuesday 11th November during the SDF Festival by an AHE Representative
2024 winners
Gold: University of Liverpool – The Prosper PI Network
Dr Fiona McBride; Dr Stefania Silvestri; Kerry McElroy; Candice Booth; James Reynolds; James Howard.
Silver: University of Warwick – Operational Coaching Skills for Managers
Kevin Hamer and Anna Chapman.
Bronze: Leeds Beckett University – ‘Beyond the poster on a wall’: Connecting Colleagues to our University Values
Georgina Woods; Sarah Swales; Cate Querin; Sarah Davies; Libby Page; Hiva Nekokar , Catherine Wright; Dee Grismond; Jay Hawkridge, Frankie Lyons.
Dr Rossana Gent
SDF Chair