Beyond Expectations Awards 2025 - Our Winners

‘ENABLE’ Inclusion Award

Named after our Inclusion framework, the ENABLE Inclusion award honours an individual, group, network, or initiative that has shown a strong commitment to inclusion by driving change.

Winner
Amy Ellis - M Group Energy

Amy has excelled as a leader in the Neurodiversity and disability team, introducing initiatives to create an inclusive workspace. She supports other leaders within ENABLE and embodies the principles of inclusivity, making a vital contribution to the team’s success.

Runner Up
Sorahya Jenkins - M Group

Highly Commended
Ben Harrison - M Group Water

Highly Commended
Bethany Wells - M Group Rail and Aviation

‘It Starts with Me’ Safe Team Award

This award recognises a team that prioritises the health and safety of everyone in all their actions. They consistently set an example for both our people and clients through their safe practices and collaborative work.

Winner
Shurton Project Team - M Group Energy

With 1,361 consecutive days without accidents, this team exemplifies high health and safety standards through proactive risk management and training, creating a culture where safety is continuously prioritised.

Runner Up
Oxfordshire Highways - M Group Highways

Highly Commended
Welsh Water SHE Team - M Group Water

‘It Starts with Me’ Safety Champion Award

This award recognises an individual who prioritises the health and safety of everyone in all their actions. They set an example for both our people and clients through their safe practices and work.

Winner
Kevin Carty - M Group Energy

Kevin has significantly improved Driver Road Risk awareness, creating a culture of accountability and safety, saving over £500k and emphasising the importance of personal responsibility in safety.

Runner Up
Peter Tynan - M Group Telecom

Highly Commended
Catalin Burlacu - M Group Rail and Aviation

Apprentice of the Year Award

The Apprentice of the Year Award celebrates an apprentice who has shown outstanding skills, knowledge, and competence. They’ve committed to learning and growing throughout their apprenticeship, making a positive impact at work and embodying the values and behaviours of M Group.

Winner
Brandon Green - M Group Highways

Brandon excels as an HGV mechanic apprentice, demonstrating forward-thinking and resilience while supporting operational teams, earning praise from trainers for his exceptional skills and attitude.

Runner Up
Paige Fincher - M Group Water

Highly Commended
Kacper Stanek - M Group Rail and Aviation

Carbon & Waste Reduction Award

This award celebrates individuals or groups who work sustainably and responsibly, creating innovative ideas or projects that positively impact social or environmental challenges, whether at work or during personal time.

Winner
Craig McArthur - M Group Water

As Head of Metering Operations, Craig has minimised waste and carbon emissions through strategic fleet reductions and recycling initiatives, demonstrating exceptional leadership in promoting sustainability and efficiency.

Runner Up
Logistics Team - M Group Telecom (Private Networks)

Collaborative Working Award

This award shines a spotlight on those who find creative ways to help our people succeed.

Winner
Simon Higgins - M Group Energy

Simon leverages AI technology to find creative solutions, enhancing collaboration across the Division and demonstrating a commitment to improving operational efficiency and team performance.

Runner Up
AMP8 Smart Metering - M Group Water

Highly Commended
Millie Sollit-Davis - M Group Plant and Fleet

Community Leader(s) Award

This award honours an individual or group who have gone above and beyond to support the local communities where we operate.

Winner
Rebecca Barton - M Group Highways

Rebecca’s efforts extend beyond her finance role, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and supporting displaced individuals, showcasing her commitment to justice and community improvement.

Runner Up
Ben Harrison, Colin Osborne, Rebecca Harvey, Charmaine Rylett - M Group Water

Highly Commended
Jen Goldsworthy - M Group

Graduate of the Year Award

This award honours a graduate who showcases outstanding skills, knowledge and competence.

Winner
Gloria Pinto - M Group Telecom

With a background in computer science, Gloria has made significant contributions to the Telecom sector, taking the initiative to analyse the data centre marketplace and support strategic planning.

Runner Up
Jade O'Connell and Kristina Evering - M Group Energy

Health & Wellbeing Champion Award

This award celebrates an individual or group who actively and responsibly support people’s health and wellbeing.

Winner
Lucy Baines - M Group

Lucy displayed heroic efforts during a colleague’s mental health crisis, showcasing unwavering commitment to employee wellbeing and exemplifying the importance of support in the workplace.

Runner Up
Michelle Woods - M Group Energy

Highly Commended
Gary Thorne - M Group Highways

Innovative Workplace Champion Award 

This award celebrates those who find solutions to help their team or colleagues do their jobs better.

Winner
James Miller and Khizar Imran - M Group Energy

James and Khizar have developed AI-driven solutions to revolutionize customer propositions, showcasing the transformative potential of technology in delivering operational efficiency and data-driven insights.

Runner Up
Leanne Sheff - M Group Plant and Fleet

Inspiration of the Year Award

The Inspiration of the Year award celebrates an individual or team who have inspired others by demonstrating remarkable resilience in overcoming challenges and exceptional adaptability to changing circumstances, all while maintaining a positive and determined attitude.

Winner
Jen Goldsworthy - M Group

Jen’s powerful story of resilience and her commitment to social mobility inspires others. She actively drives change for underrepresented groups, exemplifying leadership and compassion.

Runner Up
Jay Honour - M Group Telecom

Highly Commended
Ellie Panyiotou - M Group Highways

Leader of the Year Award

The Leader of the Year award recognises an individual who sets an outstanding example of leadership by demonstrating our values of responsibility, openness, teamwork, and ambition.

Winner
Kate Wesson - M Group Telecom

Kate empowers her teams through impactful training and compliance initiatives, fostering a culture of responsibility and growth while setting a gold standard for leadership.

Runner Up
Alison Jackson - M Group

Highly Commended
Cal Rose - M Group Water

M Group Heroes Award

This award honours a team or individual who has significantly impacted their community by saving a life, providing first aid, or enhancing the quality of life for someone or the broader community.

Team Winner
Brian Allen and Perry Grimes - M Group Highways

Brian and Perry intervened during a suicide attempt, engaging with the individual and ensuring their safety until emergency services arrived, reflecting their compassion and dedication.

Individual Winner
Kingsley Bampoe - M Group Energy

Kingsley has selflessly cared for a disabled neighbour, providing essential support and connecting him with resources, demonstrating unwavering compassion and commitment to improving his quality of life.

Runner Up
Lorraine Peachey - M Group Telecom

Developer Services Team - Reiss Foster, Cameron Foster, Jamie Boyce and Mark Chandler - M Group Water

Highly Commended
Colm Peck-Walker - M Group Rail and Aviation

Outstanding Client Delivery Award

This award celebrates an individual or team who shows outstanding dedication to meeting our clients’ needs.

Winner
Joe Bates & the Woodstock Road Team - M Group Highways

Faced with the ambitious challenge of delivering a £4m active travel scheme in just 12 months, the team exceeded expectations through innovation, collaboration, and a shared vision with Oxfordshire County Council.

Runner Up
Mag engineering North: Kit Lane, Aaron Norrie, Patrick Foster Devaney, Abubakar Nadim, Allan Knowlson, Rob Hewitt  - M Group Telecom

Highly Commended
Liam Papworth - M Group

Rising Star Award

The ‘Rising Star’ Award recognises people who have made impressive strides in their careers and show great promise for the future.

Winner
Matthew Osman - M Group Highways

Matthew’s journey from cleaner to site engineer exemplifies determination and initiative, earning him respect and recognition for his leadership on high-profile projects.

Runner Up
Jenson Twiss - M Group Telecom

Highly Commended
Olivia Regan - M Group Rail and Aviation

Role Model of the Year Award

This award celebrates an individual or team who inspire others with their outstanding leadership.

Winner
Jemma Ray - M Group Telecom

Jemma’s leadership in advocating for gender equality and her commitment to professional development make her an outstanding role model, positively impacting both the workplace and community.

Runner Up
Tim Bailey - M Group Highways

Highly Commended
Jonathan White - M Group Water

Team of the Year Award

The Team of the Year award celebrates a group that exemplifies our core values. This team consistently takes initiative, embraces learning and innovation, values and supports each member, and demonstrates resilience and creativity.

Winner
Oxfordshire Highways Team - M Group Highways

This team achieved record revenue and customer satisfaction while successfully retendering their contract, showcasing excellence in teamwork and dedication to client success.

Runner Up
M Group Water’s Business Growth Team - M Group Water

Highly Commended
Plant & Fleet Finance Team - M Group Plant and Fleet