CIMA has recognised outstanding individuals, teams, and organisations at the AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE 25 UK & Ireland Awards, held in London this week.
The awards turn a spotlight of the great work being done by CGMA students and CIMA members, and this year’s winners were:
Student of the Year: Tim Mickleburgh, Finance Graduate at The Co-operative Bank, was recognised for demonstrating exceptional drive, resilience, and leadership within a year of joining the company. Carefully balancing his CGMA study journey with full-time work, he passed all Management level exams at the first attempt and earned CIMA’s Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting, while also leading initiatives to improve sustainability reporting, recognition, and early-career development within the organisation.
Rising Star of the Year: Diego Trucco, Finance and Planning Manager at the Royal Academy of Music, was recognised for his rapid career progression, impressive CGMA exam success, and meaningful contributions both within his organisation and the charity sector. A natural leader and mentor, he embodies the future of the profession – combining innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to making a positive difference.
Mentor of the Year: Sara Murphy, Finance Director at West Pharmaceuticals, was celebrated for her thoughtful, personalised approach to mentorship and her exceptional ability to inspire lasting growth. Through insightful guidance and genuine encouragement, she helped her mentee stay engaged, motivated, and on a path to long-term success.
Finance Business Leader of the Year: Rachael Hewitt, CFO at EG on the Move, was celebrated for exceptional leadership through major transformation, delivering two strategic M&As, securing new financing, and implementing a data-driven ERP system. While building a high-impact finance function, she also launched a Finance Academy to develop future talent, setting a benchmark for leadership and sustainable success in finance.
Responsible Finance Team of the Year: The J D Wetherspoon Finance Team, led by Finance Director Ben Whitley, was honoured for embedding the UN Sustainable Development Goals into finance operations – a standout achievement in a traditionally conservative sector. By creating a dedicated Environment, Utilities, and Facilities team, they delivered zero waste to landfill, improved recycling, and £0.5m in annual savings, showing how finance can lead on sustainability while strengthening business performance.
Digital Innovation Project of the Year: Rachael Hewitt, CFO at EG on the Move, was recognised for leading the swift and seamless implementation of a new MS Dynamics 365 ERP platform with data lake architecture, enabling real-time reporting through Power BI and MS Fabric. Her leadership transformed business insight and agility during a dynamic period, embedded a strong digital culture, and delivered measurable commercial value – making this a standout example of digital transformation done right.
Small, Medium Enterprise (SME) of the Year: AFP Services Ltd was praised for its unified, process-driven back-office model and innovative approach to digitalisation and in-house system development that supports businesses of all sizes, alongside a strong commitment to staff development, cross-departmental training, and community impact.
Public Sector Team of the Year: The Finance Team at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust was commended for delivering outstanding results in the face of significant challenges. With 230 team members, they achieved £90m in cost saving – 5% of influenceable spend – while improving patient outcomes by reducing 52-week waiting lists from 8,198 to 4,840. Their collaborative approach, guided by a Finance Improvement Board and sustained investment in future talent, exemplifies excellence, resilience, and the power of teamwork in public service.
