IOIC Awards 2026 winners.
Setting the standard for excellence in internal communication.
In a night of celebration, 425 internal communication professionals came together on Thursday 17 September at London's exclusive Hurlingham Club to celebrate the winners of the IOIC Awards 2026.
IOIC's Chief Executive Jennifer Sproul and Awards Chair Justine Stevenson welcomed everyone to the sold-out dinner, held in the year IOIC launched its new brand. With nearly 300 entries this year, the Judges commented: "it was a pleasure to see the quality, creativity and commitment, with the entries offering a valuable reminder of the important contribution internal communication makes to organisations."
Jennifer set the tone for the evening: "Great internal communication unlocks organisational success. That's our belief, and this year's entries prove it in practice, from building trust to delivering real impact for people and organisations. It's a genuine privilege to lead this Institute and to spend tonight shining a light on the work you do every day."
Justine reflected on what the Awards recognise: "These Awards shine a light on the teams and individuals at the forefront of driving connection, clarity and change within organisations. Internal communication teams are the heartbeat of an organisation, delivering information but, more crucially, listening to colleagues, feeding back what’s really going on and constantly adapting to empower people, shape culture and help organisations thrive."
Class winners' trophies were handed out across every category. The evening's top honour, the Grand Prix Award, went to The Big Get Together, Raising the Roof! by Midland Heart.
It was a night of celebration and recognition. Congratulations to all the winners.
Winners.
Channels
Best Community Management
From Broadcast to Engagement: Transforming SFC’s Internal Communications by Scottish Funding Council x Cocentric
Best Event
The Big Get Together - Raising the Roof! by Midland Heart
Best Intranet
Robert Walters 'Connect' Digital Workplace by Robert Walters and Addin365
Best Magazine
Material Matters by Breedon Group
Best New or Relaunched Channel
Robin for Royal Mail by AB
Best News Channel
The Buzz by Voyage Care
Best Podcast
Accelerate Podcast by Currys and Inspired Thinking Group
Best Video/Animation
The road to Day One - Aviva acquires Direct Line Group by Aviva Integration Internal Communications Team
Innovation
Game Changer
The Trials of Mrs Tranter by GreenSquareAccord
Innovative Use of Media/Technology
Bellway's innovative Pathway to the effective use of AI by Bellway
Most Innovative Content Creation
The Trials of Mrs Tranter by GreenSquareAccord
Skills
Best AI Skills in Internal Communication
Accelerate, Augment, Redefine: Building Responsible AI Skills in Internal Communication at Network Rail by Kaleb Ells, Network Rail
Best Design/Imagery
Clarins - Transforming Internal Comms Through Design and Intentional Imagery by Clarins x Cocentric
Best Feature/Writing
The R2-D2 to our Luke Skywalker by Aviva IWR Internal Communications Team
Best Storytelling
Moments that Changed Me by Aviva Group Campaigns Team
Strategy & Campaigns
Best Change/Transformation Campaign
Iceland Foods Management Model Change by Cascade Productions
Best Employee Experience Programme
Best Employee Experience Programme - Arup Internal Comms team, UKIMEA region by Arup Internal Comms team, UKIMEA region
Best Engagement Programme
How a Digital Dog Inspired People to Love Our Data by Afiniti and Subsea7
Best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Campaign
I'm not Jenna by Centrica
Best Global Communication Campaign
What just happened? by Yusen Logistics with blue goose
Best Internal and External Communication Alignment
TfL 25 by Transport for London
Best Leadership Communication Programme
Navigating together: building a global leadership community that connects, aligns and transforms LR by Lloyd's Register
Best Listening Programme
Listening With Intent: How Network Rail Made Employee Voice a National Maintenance Standard by Afiniti and Network Rail
Best Ongoing Campaign
Scottish Water: From Compliance to Culture - making safety something people live not follow by Scottish Water and Home
Best Single Campaign
The Great Big Sparkle Challenge by the Pennon Group PLC Internal Communications team
Best Strategic Alignment & Strategy Communication
Currie & Brown: Creating Certainty by Currie & Brown
Best Sustainability Campaign
Eco Quest by Voyage Care
People
Best Internal Communication Newcomer
Freya Smithson, BDO UK
Internal Communication Manager of the Year
Leo Morgan, Welcome Break
Internal Communication Leader of the Year
David Manning, Currys plc
Team
Best Small Agency (1-10 people)
HarknessKennett Ltd
Best Medium Agency (11-30 people)
The Surgery
Best Large Agency (30+)
H&H
Best In-House Teams
Best In-House Team 1-5 people
Tarmac Internal Communication and Engagement Team
Best In-House Team 6-10 people
LR's Internal Communications Team
Best In-House Team 10+ people
The LEGO Group - Colleague Engagement Team
Best Public Sector or Not for Profit Teams
Best Public Sector or Not for Profit Team 1-5 people
Met Office Internal Communications and Engagement Team
Best Public Sector or Not for Profit Team 6-10 people
ACCA's Internal Comms team
IOIC Grand Prix Award
The Big Get Together - Raising the Roof! by Midland Heart
Book of the night.
The electronic Book of the Night shows more about the winning entries and what the judges said about them.
Photos of the night.
Will appear here soon.
The IOIC Awards 2027.
The Awards for 2027 will open in mid December. Watch this space.
Sponsors
