Celebrating Workstyle Stories and the Power of Personalised Working

It’s hard to believe that less than a year ago, at a roundtable with Workstyle Ambassadors, we were asking ourselves whether we were ready to launch an Awards ceremony. Could we really pull it off?

Fast forward to October 2025 - and the answer is a resounding yes!

On 14 October, we proudly hosted our first-ever Workstyle Awards, bringing together members of our Workstyle community. The event surpassed all expectations - a joyful celebration of stories of resilience, passion, curiosity and creativity, and of the people driving The Workstyle Revolution forward.

We recognised employers, leaders, and individuals setting the benchmark for personalised working, and we geeked out (in true Workstyle fashion!) about the research shaping the case for change.

Most importantly, we connected - uniting inspiring people who share our belief in how work should be done. We cheered, we laughed, and we partied, energised by hope for a brighter, more inclusive future of work.

A huge thank you to our sponsors, Logitech, and Hoxby, for supporting such a special evening. And to our amazing goodie bag donors: Chandon Garden Spritz, Havas, The Turmeric Co., G Spot, PerfectTed and Seep.

The Workstyle Award Winners

Workstyler of the Year – Ursula Capell MSc CPCC

Ursula has been a member of the workstyle community for almost a decade and has been instrumental in designing our groundbreaking Workstyle Pioneers programme. She is patient, kind, and relentlessly seeks to improve our Academy offer, developing deeper learning and coaching experiences. We are excited to have her brainpower shaping content behind the scenes. 

Volunteer of the Year – Stacey Smalley

Stacey’s energy and commitment shine through everything she does. A true champion of the Workstyle Revolution, she brings passion, positivity, and purpose to every project. Her genuine belief in our vision  to  create  a  world  of  work  without  bias makes her an inspiration to work with!

Geek of the Year – Ian Burn

Professor Ian Burn, Chair in Applied Microeconomics at the University of Liverpool, was shortlisted for his pivotal role in shaping Workstyle Revolution’s 2025 report on autonomy in the workplace. Collaborating with Workstyle Revolution and PBE, he applied deep analytical insight to explore how autonomy affects employees, organisations, and the economy. His work translated complex data into practical guidance for employers and policymakers, promoting trust-based, inclusive working practices.

Story of the Year – Sophie Coward

At 25, Sophie was diagnosed with epilepsy. In a stressful work environment, her health declined and she feared she’d never return to work. Applying for a role at SWAP Audit changed that. From a compassionate recruitment process to a flexible role created by Sophie and her manager through the Workstyle Pioneers programme, Sophie rebuilt her confidence and career. Today, she’s thriving, proof that with understanding and adaptability, people can truly shine in their own way.

Employer of the Year – Scope

Scope, the UK’s largest disability equality charity, has a people-centred and flexible working culture. After the pandemic, it replaced office-based work with a trust-driven model focused on autonomy, outcomes, and individual needs. Through flat hierarchies, personalised roles, and tools like Predictive Index and “MyReview,” Scope empowers staff to work where and how they perform best. Its commitment to individuality and output-based working sets a leading example for inclusive, modern workplace practices.

Leader of the Year – Dominic Holmes

Dom Holmes, Partner at Kilgannon & Partners, has inspired his peers and the wider legal profession to think differently. He prioritises outcomes over presenteeism, proving that fitting work around life and high performance can go hand in hand. Under his leadership the firm promotes autonomy and removes traditional targets, focusing on results and trust. 

Above & Beyond Award – Moya Moore

Moya Moore, Executive Director of People & Organisational Development at SWAP Audit, was recognised for her exceptional dedication to piloting and embedding workstyle practices. A founding member of the Workstyle Pioneers programme, she has closed employment gaps and driven real change. Her research and advocacy for remote asynchronous working demonstrates deep expertise and passion and her relentless drive and infectious energy is inspirational!

Got a Workstyle story?  

Nominations are already open for next year’s awards - if you have a story or know someone who should be recognised, please do nominate now using the link below.

Workstyle Award Nominations 2026

Help us keep the momentum going

If you’re feeling inspired to help us drive the Workstyle Revolution forward, there are three ways you can make an impact:

  1. Participate – Join the changemakers! Take part in our research projects or implement Workstyle in practice through programmes such as Workstyle Pioneers or Workstyle Academy. Read more here

  2. Donate – Invest in inclusion. Every contribution helps us reach more people and create greater impact. Button: Donate here

  3. Sponsor – Power what’s next. Sponsor a research project, an implementation programme, or next year’s Workstyle Awards! Learn more about Sponsoring!

To get involved, contact Lizzie@workstyle.org.uk - we’d love to hear from you.

Thank you. Your support makes everything we do possible.

Alex & Lizzie
Co-Founders and Joint CEOs, The Workstyle Revolution

This blog was written by one of our team of fantastic volunteers, Louisa Cliff, on behalf of the Workstyle Revolution.

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The Inaugural Workstyle Awards